contact
Hi! I’m Melanie Ching and I’m a writer, a maker, an activist and a dreamer.
You can find me here:
home: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
email: melanie@herrealworld.com
blog: http://herrealworld.com
twitter: @herrealworld
friendfeed: herrealworld
linkedin: Melanie Ching
resume: Melanie Ching (.pdf)
What I’m looking for
To find challenging and rewarding employment opportunities that complement my skill set.
Areas of Expertise
Policy Development
I became immersed in politics and policy development when I entered university. In both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, I studied Canadian politics with an interest in social policy, elections, diversity, and political identity. While a policy officer in the federal government, I was involved at all stages of the policy process, including consultations, design, implementation, and evaluation. I have prepared a variety of policy documents from academic research papers to briefing materials for senior management.
Communications
I have been a communicator since the day I learned to speak. In parent-teacher interviews and performance evaluations since, my ability to network and communicate ideas has been identified as my strongest asset. I have worked closely with communications teams to deliver event proposals, media lines, and correspondence. I love to write and deliver speeches and am comfortable speaking in public venues. I have experience in developing, executing, and evaluating media (including social media) strategies.
Project Management
I have managed small and large scale projects. I am familiar with creating critical paths, checklists for individual team members, and reports to brief senior management. I have overseen the production of major annual reports, planned meetings, workshops and conferences including securing venues, speakers, and hospitality. I am organized, detail oriented and I love to see projects through from start to finish.
Human Resources
I have been involved in all stages of hiring, including creating job descriptions and posters, resume screening, interviews, and exams. I have supervised junior employees and completed written and verbal performance evaluations. I understand the importance of a healthy working environment and take the time necessary to ensure that team members are performing to the best of their ability.
Employment History
Senior Policy Officer/Project Manager, Policy Partnerships and Engagement
Government of Canada – Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
July 2008 – January 2010 (1 year, 6 months)
Junior Policy Officer, Strategic Policy and Research
Government of Canada – Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
August 2005 – July 2008 (2 years, 11 months)
Teaching Assistant, School of Canadian Studies
Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
September 2003 – April 2005 (2 years)
Parliamentary Intern
House of Commons in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada & House of Commons in London, England
September 2002 – April 2003 (8 months)
Senate Page
Senate of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
September 2000 – August 2002 (2 years)
Support Worker
Thornhurst Community Options in Morden, Manitoba, Canada
Summer 2000 & Summer 2001 (8 months)
Customer Service/Cashier
Morden Pharmacy in Morden, Manitoba, Canada
May 1997 – June 1999 (2 year, 1 month)
Academic Qualifications
Master of Arts Degree in Canadian Studies
Carleton University
September 2003 – April 2005 (2 years)
Thesis: The Trend in Youth Non-Voting: Redefining Youth Citizenship in a Neo-Liberal Canada
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Science
Carleton University
September 1999 – April 2003 (4 years)
High Honours with a Concentration in Canadian Politics and a Minor in Canadian Studies
Volunteer Activities
ChangeCamp – Member, Ottawa organizing team, national coordination team
Ladyfest Ottawa – Member, steering committee, web committee
Forum for Young Canadians - Volunteer, alumni recruitment, social web strategy
Youth Leadership
Summer Language Program at College universitaire de Saint-Boniface – Student (Advanced)
Forum for Young Canadians – Student Delegate to Ottawa
United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth – Student Delegate to the United Nations
Personal Interests
Aboriginal issues, agriculture, animal rescue, blogging, camping, civic engagement, community building, cooking, cultural studies, cycling, design, democracy, digital media, education, elections, fighting poverty, feminism, food, gardening, gender studies, healthcare, labour issues, learning to play piano, painting, Parliament, photography, policy development, public service renewal, public transportation, rural issues, senior’s issues, sexuality, singing, shopping locally, social policy, social services, sustainability, travel, urban life, youth engagement