Melissa May. e-portfolio.

My past professional lives have included stints as a project controls specialist, traveler, project manager, artist, admin assistant, property manager, volunteer, and writer. At every job, mine was to solve problems.  I define myself not by what I do, but who I help and how I make a difference.

Project Controls Specialist

If there is one life lesson that working in cost and schedule planning taught me, it's that a plan is starting point, from which all great things develop.  You have to start somewhere, but that doesn't mean it is where you will end up.  Each step along the way teaches you lessons that join together to make the ultimate product.  Read More...

Project Manager

"OPPORTUNITY IS MISSED BY PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED UP IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS A LOT LIKE WORK." -THOMAS EDISON-

Since childhood, I have been taught the value of hard work.  Working through challenges of home renovation as a child, I learned how identify problems and work towards a solution.   Hard work, diligence, and ambition are keys to making an impact.  Each project, each task, each hour teaches you a life lesson that you can carry with you to the next.   I've taken these traits from childhood into the workplace and continue to apply them everyday. 

ADMIN ASSISTANT

"IF YOU'RE OFFERED A SEAT IN A ROCKET SHIP, DON'T ASK WHICH SEAT, JUST GET ON." -SHERYL SANDBERG-

Be open to opportunity. The first job that you get isn't going to be your dream job, but if you work hard, it can lead to it. 

VOLUNTEER

Giving to others gives you more than I ever thought it could. The places I've been, the people that I've meet have truly changed my life and my outlook forever.  Read More...  

Traveler

When I first began traveling, it was all about seeing the most famous sights.  What I realized later is it isn't about the view, it's about the people that you experience it with, the memories that you form, and what you learn about yourself.   Read More...

Artist

Creativity is an outlet for the soul.  It doesn't have to be an outlet segregated only for your time outside of work.  Artistry can be applied in ways that you would never expect - from color coding of a spreadsheet to make it easier to communicate your topics to designing an impactful presentation to make learning fun.  Art and creativity provide opportunity to teach people things they don't notice they're learning.  Read More... 

PROPERTY MANAGER

I trusted my gut that this is a challenge that I should undertake, even though I didn't know why at the time.  What it taught me most about was interacting with people of all types.  Read More... 

WRITER

"ALMOST ALL GOOD WRITING BEGINS WITH TERRIBLE FIRST EFFORTS.  YOU NEED TO START SOMEWHERE." -ANNE LAMOTT- 

Your first draft won't be perfect.  Writing, like life, it a continual process of keeping the main points, slashing the mistakes, then correcting and steering it to bring the next draft.    Head back to our Home Page to see just a few of my writing's for my blog co-founded with my sister-in-law.  

For more information about my professional experience, visit my Linked In Page.