Melanie Palacio
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Driven and adaptable psychology student with strong leadership experience and a passion for human resources. Skilled in customer service, relationship management, and team coordination. Aspiring to pursue a master's in Industrial-Organizational Psychology after undergrad to deepen expertise in employee development and organizational behavior. Seeking an HR internship to leverage interpersonal skills and business background to support employee growth and organizational success.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
President
Student Psychology Association
05.2024 - Current
- Led recruitment efforts by interviewing and selecting team members, ensuring a high-functioning officer team.
- Coordinated biweekly meetings to share essential updates, leading to improved team dynamics and clarity on roles.
- Organized events that resulted in increased engagement and successful fundraising.
- Addressed and resolved conflicts within the team, promoting a positive and collaborative atmosphere.
- Developed tracking systems and communication tools to enhance organizational efficiency
- Established relationships with club members and maintained positive club standing with trustworthy actions and professionalism.
- Identified topics of interest for the club, researched and invited speakers, and coordinated presentations.
- Oversaw all aspects of event planning from concept development to execution, ensuring memorable experiences for attendees while remaining within budget constraints.
Research Assistant
Sleep and Memory Computational Lab
03.2024 - Current
- Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers
- Data Collection: Assisted in collecting and organizing data for ongoing research projects, ensuring accuracy and integrity of information.
- Prepared materials and equipment for experiments, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and research standards
- Communicate with participants via text to confirm attendance and provide detailed instructions, enhancing participant compliance and engagement.
- Prepare and run learning tasks using PsychoPy, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection.
- Measure head circumference and fit EEG caps for participants, performing electrode preparation to achieve optimal connectivity for data acquisition.
- Conduct EMG and EOG tests to assess participant readiness and monitor their status during sleep studies or documentary viewing.
- Organize and extract data from LiveAMP and PsychoPy, utilizing MATLAB to create EDF files and maintain systematic data organization for analysis.
- Collaborate effectively with team members to discuss findings and contribute to ongoing research projects, enhancing overall research outcomes.
ACM Ambassador
The University of Texas at San Antonio
08.2023 - Current
- Greeted and welcomed peer mentors/mentees, ensuring a smooth and engaging introduction to the program
- Assisted students with resolving questions or concerns, improving overall satisfaction with mentoring services
- Scheduled call-backs and follow-ups for supervisors, providing timely communication and problem-resolution
- Coordinated meeting locations and logistics for peer mentoring sessions, enhancing program efficiency
- Demonstrated strong active listening skills to accurately understand and address student needs
- Assisted team with operational policies and procedures to drive services.
- Evaluated progress towards achieving mission goals using key performance indicators and implemented necessary changes for continuous improvement.
- Promoted good customer relations and premier customer satisfaction by demonstrating a friendly demeanor and can-do attitude.
- Greeted customers and clients to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Head Receptionist
Visible Changes
05.2020 - 10.2023
- Led front-desk operations, greeting and assisting clients to ensure a positive first impression and customer experience
- Responded to customer inquiries and scheduled appointments, maintaining a high level of client satisfaction
- Administered and managed incoming and outgoing calls, improving communication between clients and staff
- Designed and implemented comprehensive training programs for new receptionists, benefiting team performance and service quality
- Used active listening and problem-solving skills to resolve customer issues effectively, contributing to a welcoming environment
- Handled sensitive client information with discretion to maintain confidentiality at all times while adhering to privacy regulations.
- Assisted in training new receptionists on company policies, software applications, and best practices for optimal performance.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently managing front desk operations and addressing guest concerns promptly.
- Contributed to office supply management by monitoring inventory levels and submitting orders as needed to avoid shortages or delays in work processes.
Account Representative
GM Financial
12.2021 - 04.2022
- Managed inbound and outbound calls, providing timely and professional service to ensure customer satisfaction
- Utilized a range of software, including Microsoft Office Suite and customer management tools, to update and manage client accounts
- Monitored customer accounts for timely payments, assisting in resolving payment-related concerns
- Maintained a high standard of customer service by addressing inquiries and escalating issues as needed to appropriate teams
- Increased customer satisfaction ratings through proactive and actionable resolutions to questions, concerns, or challenges.
- Managed a portfolio of multiple accounts, ensuring timely delivery of products and services while maintaining strong relationships with clients.
- Implemented strategies for upselling and cross-selling products, resulting in increased revenue from existing customers.
- Expanded customer base by conducting market research and identifying potential leads.
Education
Bachelors - Psychology with a Minor in Business Administration
The University Of Texas At San Antonio
10.2024
Associate of Arts - Psychology
NorthWest Vista
12.2022
Skills
- Organizational Leadership
- Customer Service Professional
- Excellent communication
- Customer relations
- Adaptability
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Time Management
- Organizational Skills
- Leadership Team Building
- Strategic Planning
- Operational Excellence
Affiliations
- Student Psychology Association, President, 01/01/23, CURRENT, Currently enrolled into SPA as an officer to lead volunteer opportunities as well as promoting mental health awareness in and out of the university.
- VOICES (Volunteer Organization Involving Community, Education, and Service), 03/01/23, CURRENT, Active member in the VOICES club by volunteering with my peers and donating to the community.
- Sleep and Memory Computational Lab, Research Assistant, 01/01/24, CURRENT, Currently enrolled into my lab as a research assistant who helps complete the current study by placing EEG caps on participants for their electrodes to be analyzed as they sleep. As of right now, our PI is conducting a fear conditioning study with overnight participants.
Awards
- Associates of Arts Degree in Psychology
- Recognition for Achieving 50 Volunteer points with VOICES
- Active member in the Student Psychology Association Award
- National Honor Society Award
- National Honor Society Leadership Award: Parliamentarian
- High School Diploma
Accomplishments
- Supervised a team of 10 Officers.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Created a Membership Tracker by introducing Google Spreadsheets for organizational tasks.
- Collaborated with a team of 8 in the development of the Giant Psychology Social.
Certification
- Mental Health First Aid Certification
Timeline
President
Student Psychology Association
05.2024 - Current
Research Assistant
Sleep and Memory Computational Lab
03.2024 - Current
ACM Ambassador
The University of Texas at San Antonio
08.2023 - Current
Account Representative
GM Financial
12.2021 - 04.2022
Head Receptionist
Visible Changes
05.2020 - 10.2023
- Mental Health First Aid Certification
Bachelors - Psychology with a Minor in Business Administration
The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Associate of Arts - Psychology
NorthWest Vista
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