Benjamin McAllister Burke

As a Seasonal Driver Helper for the United Parcel Service I was blessed to experience what it’s like to deliver the holidays to families each year. Not only that but this year UPS is dealing with higher than ever package volumes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to these unique circumstances I was able to get as much work as I requested and I took advantage of this by working as much and as often as they would allot me. Pushing myself to this extreme helped me to view what parts of my life get neglected when I overwork myself and has helped me to better balance those areas in my daily life as well as in my career. I’ve gained a better respect for nutrition, sleep cycles, personal/physical care and maintaining a balance of personal & family time when at home.

Freelancing as a Dasher for DoorDash I gained even better time management skills and honed my customer service centric mentality. I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of constant interaction and the gratification of delivering people their meals.

I was the main point of contact for the School of Integrative Studies at GMU. Answered and Directed Calls - Scheduled Appointments - Directed Visitors and Personnel to meetings etc. - Performed various other duties you might expect from an office assistant

While working for the UMW Webcasting and Video Recording Office I was trained in the use of Video Recording Equipment and Webcasting Software - Performed Live Broadcasts of Sporting Events for the University - Transported Equipment and Co-Workers to Events using Company Vehicles

Through working each winter as a seasonal Tree Salesman/Lot Attendant I valued gaining better customer service skills as well as getting a taste for sales. We maintained a warm and welcoming environment and provided customers with a much needed product. We had a lot of fun with it too, I highly recommend Snow’s Garden Center in Charlottesville, VA.

Performed Residential and Estate Property and Grounds Maintenance services in Albemarle County and the Surrounding Areas. I started my company while in college at PVCC getting my associate’s degree and it occupied the majority of my time outside of my education. I enjoyed the one on one interactions I had with my customers and valued seeing their faces and chatting each week when I would come to manage their properties. I maintained large multi-million dollar estates all the way down to mobile homes in the countryside.

As a full-time volunteer for two years I filled the role of a warehouse worker and learned customer service skills, warehouse procedures, delivery protocol, and how to operate basic warehouse equipment. I enjoyed giving back to the community and spending time with like minded individuals who wanted the same thing I did, to serve.

As an apprentice I learned the trades of landscaping and grounds maintenance and management. My grandfather and the owner, Clyde McAllister, took me under his wing and gave me the knowledge and mastery of his trade so that I would never go hungry. He provided me with a foundation for how to treat customers and approach the workspace in general. I credit him for showing me what a good work ethic looks like.