Atoosha Zargar

The  reason for pivoting from International Relations to Early Childhood Education was not due to a lack of direction visa vis my career ambitions.  My main interest has always been international relations and/or development.  As noted on my resume, I pursued this interest, in Vienna, with a Masters in International Relations focusing on Oil and the Middle East.  I secured an interview with the IAEA in Vienna during my Masters but I had to decline, at the behest of my father, due to the fact that he was concerned about potential ramifications visa vis the Iranian government and expropriation of private family assets. After I completed my Master in International Relations, unbeknownst to me and my mother, my father remarried;  causing a major rupture in my family life. With my visa coming to an end after my internship at the Economist; I found it incumbent upon me to return to Vancouver in order to comply with visa regulation and, also, emotionally support my mother.  Shortly upon arrival in Vancouver, I was advised, to my chagrin, that opportunities in my chosen field were limited due to the fact that almost all International Relations work is done in  the capital, Ottawa.  Not being able to relocate out of moral obligation to my mother;  I hastily took the decision to pursue another Masters in Early Childhood Education because jobs were plentiful in this field in Vancouver especially for Farsi speaking individuals.  After completing my Masters in Early Childhood Education, I was able to find employment at a daycare but I knew that it was not my true calling in life. I was an early childhood educator for four years until an injury, caused by an incident at work, left me physically incapacitated to continue in any professional field.  It was to the point that I could not sit or type, causing me to have a gap in employment due to the fact that I was recovering from the injury.  I have now recovered and my family divorce has been settled.  Hence, I am able and willing to relocate, if necessary, and pursue my lifelong dream of a position in the milieu of International Relations.  

I deemed it important to write the aforesaid because I felt it is important for any prospective employer to know my personal reasons for pivoting abruptly to another professional field  after the completion of my  Masters in International Relations.  During this tumultuous time, I was able to gain certain skills which I believe are important in every professional endeavor.  These are, researching, drafting documents, being a team player, and working under pressure in a fast paced environment which necessitated multi tasking. 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Early Childhood Educator , Willowbrae Childcare Academy Oct 2020 — Dec 2021 North Vancouver -Engaged in curriculum-planning using the children's interests.  -Produced an inclusive pedagogy that was developmentally appropriate. -Completed administrative tasks such as  filing documents, organizing documents, and writing newsletters.  
Early Childhood Educator , Vancouver Society of Children Center (VSOCC) 
Feb 2018 — Feb 2020 Vancouver, BC 
-Educated children according to BC's educational curriculum.  -Wrote formal documentation for the center. -Organized and compiled monthly newsletters.  -Completed formal documentations daily.  -Created play-based strategies for experimental learning. 
Research Assistant, BC Cancer Agency Jan 2009 — May 2009 Vancouver BC -Recruited Participants for the BC Generation Project.  -Responsible for the  participant queries. -Ensured smooth coordination of appointments to the assessment center. 

EDUCATION
Langara College Sep 2015 — Dec 2016 Early Childhood Education Diploma Vancouver, BC 
Webster University, Vienna Oct 2007 — May 2009 MA Vienna
University of British Columbia Sep 2002 — May 2006 Bachelor of Science Vancouver