In today’s entry of Connect’s Meet the AACRAO Staff, we sat down with Christi Liongson, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications. This community-orientated techie from Hawaii has dabbled in many member-facing projects in her years at AACRAO – read on for specifics.
How did you start at AACRAO?
I started working at AACRAO at the beginning of my sophomore year at the George Washington University. One of my good friends from Hawaii told me about an internship at AACRAO. She got me in touch with Janie Barnett, the Associate Executive Director, who encouraged me to apply for a marketing internship. I interned with AACRAO while I finished my undergraduate degree, and they offered me a full time position after I graduated in 2012. So I’ve been here full-time for a little over three and half years and if you count my internship, much longer!
So after three and a half years, what does your normal day consist of in terms of duties and responsibilities?
It differs day to day, but most of my work is comprised of promoting AACRAO’s professional development initiatives. I help our professional development team with logistics and marketing for the Annual Meeting, the Technology & Transfer Conference, and the SEM Conference. I also write for Connect and the Session Spotlights leading up to each meeting and manage the AACRAO Twitter account. I also update the website in a broad range of areas related to professional development.
Amongst all those duties and responsibilities, what is your favorite? What skill do you get to use in the completion of your job that you enjoy the most, in other words.
I like the design elements of my job – both graphic design and website design. I find myself editing or making new graphics in Photoshop regularly, and I made a video for our booth that showcases AACRAO and what we offer to our members.
I also really like doing the spotlights because it’s a great opportunity to talk with members about what projects and initiatives they are passionately pursuing at their campus and beyond.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A lot of my free time is spent volunteering. I am a volunteer as a sous chef for Miriam’s Kitchen, a great organization that works to end chronic homelessness in DC. Twice a month, I help prepare a fresh and healthy breakfast for our guests. I am also the Communications Co-Director at DC Web Women, which works promote women in tech and digital media in DC.
When I’m not working or volunteering, I also enjoy cooking, photography, and traveling to see friends and family.