Duran Aziz
North Bethesda,MD
Summary
Passionate Bookseller offering a 2+ year background working with customers to find exactly what they need. Skilled in providing recommendations to customers, working in a fast-paced retail environment, and taking initiative to improve efficiency. Majored in English and Cinema & Media Studies, with a minor in Creative Writing; currently pursuing a Master's degree in Film Studies.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher's Assistant
Chapman University
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Supported classroom activities, setting up screenings, taking attendance
- Engaged students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts.
Bookseller
Barnes and Noble
11.2021 - 02.2023
- Led Film & Media department
- Oversaw section downsizing
- Restocked shelves, tidied up section
- Asked by customers by name for film expertise
Tutor
Varsity Tutors
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Tutored high school, college, and post-college students
- Subjects including English, Writing, Filmmaking, Political Science
Electronic Sales
Bethesda Navy Exchange
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Successfully increased sales in laptops, TVs, and other electronics
- Guided & helped members of the armed forces and their families with the evaluation and planning of their electronic needs
Education
Master of Arts - Film Studies
Chapman University
Orange, CA12-2026
Bachelor of Arts - Cinema and Media Studies, English Language and Literature, Creative Writing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD05.2021
Skills
- Customer Service - Building relationships
- Bookselling
- Book Restocking
- Book/Film recommendations for customers
- Writing (Technical, Academic, Creative)
- Copywriting/Copyediting
- Classroom Support
- Mentoring Students
- Video Production
- Audio Production
- Video Editing
- Live Productions
Accomplishments
- Fellowship at Chapman University for Masters in Film Studies
- Received Donald Will Award for Student Organizing in 2024 from Chapman University
- Effective Student Organizer and leader
- Guest presenter, Chapman U's Film Society 2023-present
- Lead administrator, UMD’s University Film Forum 2019
- Guest presenter, UMD’s Cinematheque club 2021-2023
Projects
- Top hit on Google when searching 'Cruising movie ending explained', https://www.closelyobservedframes.com/post/cruising-ambiguity-and-meaning
- Interviewed Host of Noir Alley on TCM, Eddie Muller, https://www.closelyobservedframes.com/post/noir-city-dc-afi-silver-s-noir-film-festival-with-an-exclusive-interview-with-host-eddie-muller
- Cohost of film podcast 'Media Monsters', https://open.spotify.com/episode/2KdnATLanIFLN0ZAJXbqi6?si=56ca4e64739648ab
- Created Video Essay on Robert Bresson’s Films, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLZ11WDCuRA
Languages
Dari
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Teacher's Assistant
Chapman University
08.2024 - 12.2024
Bookseller
Barnes and Noble
11.2021 - 02.2023
Tutor
Varsity Tutors
09.2021 - 05.2022
Electronic Sales
Bethesda Navy Exchange
05.2019 - 09.2019
Master of Arts - Film Studies
Chapman University
Bachelor of Arts - Cinema and Media Studies, English Language and Literature, Creative Writing
University of Maryland