Joan Cristy

Early Days

I was born in Davao City, Philippines and moved to Redford, Michigan (just outside of Detroit) in 2000 with my parents and two sisters. I attended school from 2nd to 9th grade within the South Redford School District. I was involved in Girl Scouts, Marching Band, and Student Council. I also played volleyball and ran track. Growing up, I was a small town girl who's entire world consisted of books and the seeing the same faces.

In 2008, my family moved to Oak Forest, Illinois in search of better opportunities. I was a freshman in high school afraid to enter a completely new jungle with the same animals. There I was involved in National Honor Society, Kama Literary Magazine, and Pep Club. 

And in 2011, I graduated from Oak Forest High School. My family moved to Chicago and have apartment hopped ever since. 

I have packed many boxes and started over many times. I never reinvented myself but just simply tried to live. It wasn't easy and it wasn't always fun but I did it and I'll probably do it again. One day, I hope to settle. I will grow old in the same house and hoard as much as I can into it and never again pack. 

College

I am currently in my last year at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I'm studying English with a concentration in Culture, Media, and Rhetorical Studies. Because I tried to do the medical career thing to please my family, I also have a minor in Kinesiology. I was briefly involved in Filipinos in Alliance and I do website development for a professor in the English department. I look forward to graduating. 

Career

I began my professional career at Pearle Vision on the same day I began my undergraduate career. It hasn't been easy balancing work and school but it has made me who I am today. The most important professional aspect that I gained from working at Pearle was how to become a respectable working professional. People typically have a hard time taking you seriously if you're smaller and younger than they are. I learned to make people listen and actually hear me no matter if they were half my age or twice as old. Eventually I was able to become a point of leadership for others and have an authoritative voice in the workplace. It was a great foundation to have for my developing career. 

I curretnly hold an internship position at Agate Publishing where I will be learning the fundamentals of the publishing industury through a small press. I am in love with books and reading, and it really shaped my childhood to be able to do it often. I learned about people and the world before I encountered them and shaped my expectations. I want to give that opportunity to other people with a stream of new books to read on top of all the ones already out there. This internship will be a step in that direction. 

Last Notes 

Along with being an avid reader, I dabble in poetry, music, and "modeling". I also enjoy baking and trying new restaurants.