Nikki Ahlf

Experience

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  Lyrique Music Studios

  Aug 2015 - May 2018

  Private Dance Instructor/ Choreographer

  This position was the perfect combination of innovation in the arts and business practices at a very early age. In high school, I pioneered this weekly private dance practice for young individuals at a previously voice-and-piano-only studio. As the dance instructor at LMS, I was able to improve my students' mastery in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and acrobatic disciplines. Even more important than the dance instruction was the personal connections I was able to cultivate with each student and their parents. The trusting relationship allowed me to teach more than dance, but self-confidence to persevere and achieve their individual goals.Behind the curtain, so to speak, I also coordinated with my partner vocal instructor to create customized class schedules, personally handled over $400 a month in cash and check transactions, and supervised use of technical equipment. In doing so, I was able to increase my financial understanding and develop essential management and delegation skills. Show less

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  Chicken Salad Chick

  Mar 2018 - Aug 2018

  Front of House Customer Service Team Member

  As a contributor to the highest grossing company branch, I spent most of my time in this position focused on complete customer satisfaction. After only a few months of working, I was asked by my superiors to take on the task of peer-instructing new employees flooding into the store during the summer. I worked and trained coworkers in areas such as register software, financial transactions (cash, credit, and debit,) meal packaging, house cleanliness and maintenance, and overall customer interaction. I was often placed in the main window of the drive thru in order to help achieve the company's "two-minute" service policy and engage customers in monthly promotions. This position helped me learn the foundation of the company mission and vision toward our customers that eased my transition into the current position I hold at Auburn. Show less

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  Chicken Salad Chick

  Sept 2019 - Aug 2021

  Sandwich Line/Preparatory Staff

  Thanks to my current employment at Chicken Salad Chick, my customer service and communication skills have improved greatly. As part of my team, I organize, prepare and distribute meal packages for over 300 college customers a day at 10+ hours a week. I constantly interact and collaborate with my manager, team leads, fellow sandwich line/preparatory staff, and the front of house team members to ensure our customers are always receiving superior value. I have also been able to hone my organizational skills due to weekly categorization and stock of fresh produce.Working on campus while also juggling a full schedule has challenged me to prioritize my time and energy like never before. I have learned that I adapt well in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations from constantly dealing with extremely hot instruments to never-ending tickets during rushes. I am grateful for what I have learned here thus far- not only the skills but the personal commitment to quality service that every employee should have. Show less

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  Instacart

  May 2021 - Dec 2022

  Personalized Shopper

  During the pandemic, it has been difficult to find work, but I did not want to let that stop me from gaining experience! Though Instacart provides the resources, this nearly self-employed position requires regional and store location knowledge, customer communication skills, speed, and efficiency that are all monitored by an app. I deemed the position title worth an upgrade to "Specialist" because I went through extensive online training modules and weeks of hands-on learning to find a working rhythm. As a shopper, I have also been able to increase my understanding of timeliness, product categorization within stores, and engagement with customer service personnel to ensure that my clients have all of their needs met throughout the purchase and delivery process. Show less

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  Auburn University College of Liberal Arts

  Aug 2021 - May 2023

  Marketing and Prospective Student Recruitment Assistant

  In this role, I served on a collaborative team of students that organized, scheduled, and released all social media and promotion-related content for the Auburn University Department of Theatre and Dance. I was able to create and monitor unique marketing campaigns (with graphics, media-rich videos, interviews, etc.) specific to the needs of the shows in our season. This required consistent communication with departmental faculty and students alike, as well as intermediate skill with cameras, editing software, Canva, and the Microsoft Office Suite. I also gave tours and provided accessible information to prospective students and their families with the goals of increased confidence in our department and acquisition of other talented and hard-working students. Show less

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  Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce

  Feb 2024 - now

  Marketing Coordinator