Suggestions
Zhara Davies
Compassionate Community Builder and Customer Success
Zhara Davies is currently the Community and Project Manager at LivingWithPixels, a role she has held since February 2023. In this position, she has been instrumental in establishing course back-end systems using Teachable, setting up communication channels on Discord, and managing student onboarding processes, which contributed to a successful launch with over 1,000 student enrollments. Her responsibilities also include addressing daily inquiries, driving course sales, and managing collaborations while ensuring project deadlines are met.1
Professional Background
Zhara has a diverse background in community building and project management, with over seven years of experience in various roles. Before her current position, she served as the Head of Community and Support at Flux Academy, where she managed a community of over 6,000 students and improved student retention through effective support strategies. She also held the role of Community Support Specialist at Flux Academy, where she organized activities to enhance student engagement.1
Skills and Expertise
Zhara specializes in:
- Community Building: Developing supportive environments for learners.
- Project Management: Coordinating logistics and timelines for various initiatives.
- Brand Strategy: Assisting individuals in building their personal brands through design and website development.
- Social Media Management: Enhancing online presence for brands and communities.
Her technical skills include proficiency in tools like Adobe Illustrator, Figma, WordPress Elementor, and more.1
Personal Background
Zhara has a passion for community engagement that dates back to her youth when she organized local events. She pursued higher education in the U.S., actively participating in school clubs and leading international student orientations. This foundation laid the groundwork for her career in community management and project coordination.1
For professional inquiries or connections, Zhara can be reached via email at zhara.davies@gmail.com.1
Highlights
Dear International Students,
I hope your month is going well so far! Lately, I've realized 3 skills that are underrated and not talked about enough.
I've developed these skills through my relationship because dating (now married) someone from another culture has truly pushed me to learn them.
But guess what? These skills are also very transferable to my career, helping me get opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach.
Can you guess what they are?
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Following up: Instead of thinking you're being annoying by following up, consider it as helping someone by reminding them of something that they may not be able to address right away. If you've submitted your best application and haven't heard back, chances are they may be too busy. A kind follow-up, not spammy, can make you stand out. I've gained numerous opportunities, including internships, sponsorships, and jobs, through these follow-ups.
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Ask questions: When working in a team, the goal isn't to appear the smartest; it's to complete the assigned tasks. Sometimes, even Google can't provide all the answers. After giving your best effort to find the answer, if you feel stuck, don't hesitate to ask for help. In my experience, removing the ego and focusing on completing work collaboratively has made the working environment more enjoyable.
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Be specific: While this may be perceived as "overcommunicating," I always try to be as specific as possible to ensure clarity.
Try to communicate to reduce unnecessary back-and-forth emails and decision fatigue for your partner/coworkers.
For instance, instead of saying, "Okay, I'll set up our meeting for next week," you could:
- Check your calendar for availability and send them a range of dates and times
- Alternatively, create a calendar link like Calendly for automated scheduling.
I hope these tips are helpful. What other skills can you think of that have massively helped you in your life?
Random thoughts, I used to get so nervous with job interviews, but now the way I see it is:
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I wouldn't apply if I wasn't confident in the role because why would I embarrass my self by getting into something I'd be bad at or can't learn to be best in? Plus making up answers just to impress the hiring manager vs. answering questions simply based on my experience is soooo much easier.
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I wouldn't apply if I don't think I'll learn anything from them, because it's two way street. My time and growth is just as important as the company's.
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A rejection is aways a blessing in disguise. Sometimes it's more than your skills, it could be the company culture, sometimes, if they say no to you - they could be doing you a favor by not putting you in a culture that they can't see you thrive in.
Those who are in the job search, just remember that it's all about value exchange and compatibility. When you can't find a job now, improve your skills and learn to articulate your values as clear as possible.
Most importantly, don't attach your values on that acceptance letter... because a chef would be cookin' with or without the restaurant.
