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JENNY SCHEE
ABOUT ME
My name is Jenny Schee (pronounced "she"). My family and friends would describe me as fun-loving, larger than life, kind, generous, compassionate, and a bit silly. I'm what they call a jack-of-all-trades, dabbling in many hobbies and interests. Whatever I set my heart on, I manifest it with dedication and passion. Life is too short to live the same day twice, so I constantly seek new experiences.
I am a Chinese-American woman, born in the United States as the youngest of four to middle-class Chinese immigrant parents. Like many immigrant families, mine came to America seeking freedom, escaping Communism, and chasing the "American dream." Navigating a new culture was challenging for my family. Growing up, and even now, I faced many challenges due to the language barrier between my parents and me. I took on more responsibilities at a young age, often serving as a translator for my parents, as I was more accustomed to Western culture, language, and societal structures.
My family owned a Chinese restaurant, where I practically took my first steps. My parents sacrificed much of their lives working long hours at the restaurant, leaving little time for home. My grandmother raised me and my siblings through our early years. My parents instilled the core values of hard work and determination in us. Despite juggling a lot on my plate—balancing schoolwork with after-school sports, private swim leagues, and piano/violin lessons—I couldn't rely on my parents for help with schoolwork, career advice, or navigating life decisions. I had to figure it out on my own.
As an Asian-American, I faced rejection and racial discrimination, but giving up was never an option. Being a child of immigrant parents meant growing up faster and taking on more responsibilities. I carried the hopes and dreams of my lineage, conscious of the monumental sacrifices my parents made. Every dollar they earned was hard-earned, and I spent my life striving to make them proud, proving their sacrifices were not in vain.
This mentality shaped my early life and forged me into the strong, independent woman I am today.
CAREER
My career truly began through trial and error. After graduating from DePaul with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing, I didn't have it all figured out. I knew I needed a career that challenged me and played to my strengths. That's when I discovered my knack for project management. I loved managing projects, people, and tasks—being in control and having structure.
During my time at DePaul, I developed a passion for marketing and advertising, thanks to Professor Kuehl's advertising course. She inspired me to aim high, specifically mentioning Leo Burnett, a world-renowned agency known for building elite global brands. Despite numerous rejections, I never gave up on my dream of working there. The day I finally landed a position, I thought, "I did it, I made it!" I spent most of my career at Leo Burnett, working with some of the most talented and intelligent individuals in the industry. This experience shaped me into a proficient project manager, earning a reputation for my "always gettin' sh*t done" work ethic and contagious optimism.
I thrive on collaboration and streamlining processes, particularly when working with like-minded individuals who share a focus on vision, strategy, and positive outcomes. My curiosity drives me to question, create, understand how things work, and continually learn more. As a project management professional, I lead by example, support my team members, and always champion my clients.
In the advertising industry, I've honed essential skills through cross-channel campaign execution, from strategy development to execution. I've gained expertise in content gathering, resource management, budget management, social media strategy, and prioritization. My understanding of "good design" and "great user experience" is critical to achieving project goals. In client services, I've handled a wide range of issues with professionalism and ease, guiding clients toward solutions even when I didn't have all the answers. I've onboarded and trained new employees, becoming the "go-to-gal" for questions and advice.
I'm no stranger to managing large, complex campaigns or juggling multiple smaller ones simultaneously. I thrive on challenges and enjoy creating new processes and protocols to enhance efficiency and accuracy. It's important to me to work with an organization that embraces change and inspires fresh ideas.
LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK
Outside of work, my family and friends would say I'm quite multifaceted, dabbling in various hobbies and interests. I love experiences that push me outside my comfort zone and allow me to take risks. With an open mind and a curious spirit, I enjoy traveling to unfamiliar places, meeting diverse people, learning about different cultures, trying new foods, and sharing meals with strangers. Collecting memories and sharing stories are among my favorite pastimes. I truly enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them.
One of my passions is baking cookies, cakes, and cupcakes, which lets me express my creativity. I've turned this hobby into a business, providing an additional source of income. My dream is to bring my vision for Baking Dreams Happen, LLC to life. I'll keep my plans under wraps until I can fully manifest them. For now, I'll continue to bake through trial and error, bringing smiles to people's faces by making their special occasions sweeter.
MY PERSONAL LIFE MOTTO
If I've learned anything about life, it's that it's short and a privilege to be alive, so it's crucial to wake up every day with gratitude. These words truly hit home when you experience the loss of someone you love. I choose to live with integrity, treating everyone with kindness, compassion, and respect. I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words. I love wholeheartedly and always show those around me how important they are, because people will never forget how you made them feel. At the end of the day, all we want is to be loved and appreciated.
Making a difference in my community and hopefully inspiring others is very important to me. I always remember that everyone has internal struggles they don't often talk about, so I choose to be kind and empathetic. After all, we're all trying to do the best we can through life's chaos, each seeking our own purpose on our unique journeys. They say timing is everything and what's meant to be will be, and I believe that more than ever. The path and decisions I choose in life don't need to make sense to anyone but myself, because our experiences shape who we are.
I instill discipline in everything I do, always striving to evolve and grow to be a better version of myself than I was yesterday. I follow my heart, fulfill my dreams, take risks, and love with my whole heart. I remind myself it's okay to make mistakes and forgive myself, not to hold grudges, and to forgive often. Do what makes you happy because if it makes you happy, that's all that matters. Do you, be you, for you.
- Jenny