Sophie Podlich

Experience

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  Eastport Yacht Club

  Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

  Junior Sailing Coach

  Facilitated engaging learn-to-sail classes for children aged 5 to 8 years old. Played an integral role as a sailing instructor at EYC across multiple summers, guiding participants through the fundamentals of sailing.Mentored and instructed young learners in foundational sailing skills, fostering their passion for sailing.Consistently contributed expertise and dedication across consecutive summers, ensuring a quality learning experience for participants.

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  Annapolis Yacht Club

  Sept 2013 - Aug 2016

  Sailing Coach

  Guided young sailors aged 7-10 in Optimist classes (Green Fleet Sep '13-Spring '14, Beginner Optimist Summer '14-16, Intermediate Optimist Summer '16). Managed operational roles as the bosun/change boat during regattas and served as the designated safety boat for family waterfront nights. Additionally, conducted adult women's recreational sailing classes and facilitated adult team racing practices using J22s.

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  Mystic Seaport

  Feb 2016 - May 2016

  Youth Training Building Assistant

  Supported the Director at Mystic Seaport's Youth Training Building while enrolled in the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program. Facilitated teaching basic sailing skills to peers and engaged in various administrative duties, including commissioning boats for the season.Instructed peers in foundational sailing skills, contributing to their learning and development.Played a pivotal role in administrative tasks, ensuring efficient operations and seasonal boat readiness.

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  United States Naval Academy

  Jun 2017 - Oct 2018

  Basic Sail Training Instructor

  Partnered with Naval officers and civilian instructors to orchestrate the Plebe Summer sailing program, providing personalized one-on-one instruction and operating a safety powerboat to ensure program support and participant safety.

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  Clean Ocean Access

  Sept 2017 - May 2018

  Environmental Science Intern

  Led data logging and analysis for marine debris collected from Aquidneck Island trash skimmers and beach clean-ups. Contributed to crafting quarterly and annual reports, engaging in additional fieldwork, and supporting outreach events like the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover-One Ocean Exploration Zone.

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  North Point Yacht Sales

  Oct 2018 - Nov 2021

  Service and Special Events Coordinator

  Partnered closely with the After Sales Director to oversee seamless commissioning of new boats, warranty services, and ongoing customer support year-round. Spearheaded the strategic coordination and management of engaging exhibits at 8 prominent boat shows annually across the dynamic Mid-Atlantic region.

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  Penn State University

  Jan 2019 - May 2021

  Faculty Instructor

  Developed a comprehensive preparatory curriculum using online assignments and Zoom classroom sessions to equip students for an immersive Outward Bound experience. Accompanied and guided students on an offshore sailing expedition from Big Pine Key during spring break in partnership with the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.

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  Sea Bags, LLC

  Nov 2021 - Jan 2024

  Sail Acquisition Manager, Mid-Atlantic

  Proactively engage and manage a comprehensive network comprising organizations, businesses, and individuals with used sail inventory, ensuring a robust inflow of materials for our sail trade initiative. Coordinate acquisition and logistics of pre-used and pre-owned sails, arranging pickups to support inventory replenishment, transforming them into bags and other accessories for their second lives.

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  True North Yachting

  Feb 2024 - now

  Operations Manager