Benjamin Garcia
Cell: (510) 552-0992 • Email: bgarcia@hawaii.edu  
717 Hausten St. apt. 302  • Honolulu, HI 96826

Profile
•    Strong, reliable leader and trainable recent graduate with academic background in political science and sociology.
•    Excellent work ethic and organizational skills developed through balancing rigorous academic and employment objectives through college. Successfully handle a wide range of functions using a combination of creative, organizational and writing skills.
•    Professionally committed and responsible. Can confidently step in and easily adapt to new situations with an enthusiastic desire to learn. Maintain focus in demanding work environments and high-pressure conditions. Ability to handle and resolve situations. Meet challenges and can find ways to effectively complete multiple assignments or tasks.

Experience
Soul de Cuba Café                              Honolulu, HI                                  2/2007-11/2008
Server, Bartender, Cook, Asst. Front of House Manager
•    Responsible for numerous duties at Soul de Cuba, a high class restaurant that’s philosophy is self-promotion and responsibility, beginning from the kitchen to the front of house.
•    In the kitchen held positions from cook to head chef, depending on the night, maintaining services in a high-pressure environment in one for the most popular restaurants in Downtown Honolulu. Prepared for catering and special events.
•    On wait staff, contributed to Soul de Cuba’s excellent customer service. Handled reservations, seating, private parties and catering services.
•    Handled Management duties when the General Manager was out of the restaurant. Duties included handling scheduling, supervision of employees, reservations and various other organizational duties. Through leadership and understanding, was able to successfully contribute to the company.
•    During employment at Soul de Cuba Café, numerous awards presented were to the restaurant including: 2008 Best Restaurants by the Honolulu Advertiser and a page in Best Restaurants Honolulu (2007). Also, numerous positive reviews by: The Midweek, The Honolulu Weekly, Star Bulletin, Pacific Edge Magazine and The New York Times.

Optical Productions                      Honolulu, HI                                7/2007-present
Event Organizer
•    Co-founded a music production company for the promotion of Hawaii band, Green Eyes.
•    Put together various shows during 2007 and 2008, that included shows at various venues around the islands of Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. Organized flights, ground transportation, lodging and food service for Green Eyes while on tour. Created and distributed Green Eyes apparel and merchandise.
•    In summer of 2008, was responsible for the inclusion of Green Eyes in an internationally recognized music label’s compilation compact disc, Quickstar Productions presents Downtown Metal. The album was distributed internationally, as well as on itunes.

Pacific Sunwear Clothing Company        Honolulu, Hawaii           May 2006 to Sept. 2006
Floor Sales
•    Sold merchandise in one of the most profitable Pacific Sunwear locations in the countries. In June and July, the Ala Moana location was number one in the country for floor sales.
•    Stocked and organized inventory.
•    Cleaned store after hours.
Hollister Clothing Company                     Honolulu, Hawaii           May 2006 to June 2006
Overnight Stock
•    Stocked and Restocked shelves after hours
•    Prepared shop for the next business day
•    Cleaned store after hours

Sodexho Dining Services                            Honolulu, Hawaii         Sept. 2005 to May 2006
Employee
•    Prepared and served food to customers at Stan Sheriff Center and Les Murakami Stadium.
•    Set up and tore down of stands at UH Manoa athletic games.
•    Cleaned food vendors and kitchen

Men at Work Construction                        Oakland, California        May 2005 to Aug. 2005
Assistant Contractor                                                                               Apr. 2004 to Aug. 2004
•    Assisted Head Residential Contractor on all duties which included house remodeling, restoration and painting. Assisted in providing estimates and organized work schedule.
•    Traveled around the San Francisco Bay Area remodeling and restoring homes. Duties included: exterior and interior painting, installation of drywall, landscaping, masonry, construction of add-on rooms and garages and damage repair.

Education
B.A. in Sociology           University of Hawaii at Manoa   Honolulu, HI.    Dec. 2008
B.A. in Political Science University of Hawaii at Manoa    Honolulu, HI.    Dec. 2008
•    Fall 2008: Senior Thesis Broadcast: The Bolivarian Revolution: The Media war between the      
                      United States and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez
•    2008 Fall: Dean’s List
•    2008 Spring: Dean’s List
•    2007 Spring: Dean’s List
•    2004 Fall: Dean’s List
Courses included Informational Computer Science; Argumentative Writing; Intro to Financial Accounting;; Global Politics; Politics and Media; Race and Ethnic Relations;  Social Psychology; Political Leadership.

Fremont Christian High School            Fremont, CA.                              June 2004
•    ASB (Associate Student Board) 2003-2004
•    1st team all league soccer and captain of soccer team 2004
o    2nd team all league 2002 and 2003
•    Homecoming King 2004
•    Principle’s list: 2001, 2002, 2004.

Computer and Communication Skills
•    Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
•    Can type 60 words per minute
•    Work in PC or Mac environments
•    Accomplished writer and public speaker
•    Conversant in Spanish