Valerie Bruk
Bio//
I am a dedicated student at the University of Portland, where I am also an athlete on the university’s team. With a passion for photography, art, and social media, I enjoy expressing creativity and engaging with a wide range of visual content.
BASIC INFO
Origin//
San Mateo, CA
Colleges Attended//
College of San Mateo, CA
University of Portland, OR
Linkedin//
https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriebruk/
Resume
Valerie Bruk
Portland, OR | valerieb105@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriebruk/
EDUCATION
University of Portland, OR
College of San Mateo, San Mateo CA. August 2020
Major: Business Marketing
Minor: Psychology GPA 3.1
EXPERIENCE
Internship Fall 2024- Present
Athena Volleyball Club, Portland, OR
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Collaborated with team members and coaches to highlight player achievements and foster community engagement.
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Created and managed digital content, including graphics, videos, and written posts, tailored to the club's target audience.
Sunglass Hut Associate, San Mateo, CA Summer 2021-2023
Sales Associate
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Trained and helped work sales for two years at the Hillsdale Mall
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Assisted Managers in moving merchandise between stores
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Helped customers find their items for different seasons, as well as resolve issues with the Holiday Sales price tags
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Built valuable relationships with core customers and assisted them with any questions they might have about technology within the merchandise
Volleyball Coach, Redwood City, CA
Red Rock Volleyball Club 2020-2023
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Worked with all age groups in training and conditioning
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Coached kids in their skills on and off the court and gave corrections and suggestions for techniques
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Led cliniques with 5-12-year-olds called Little Rock group for 2 years before and after coaching older age groups
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Use communication skills to help different personalities solve problems with skills they may not have understood. Coached 12’s, 13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 17’s, age groups throughout the volleyball club season, October- July over two years.
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Assisted with skill development camps year-round on the weekends, on top of assisting two teams
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Led beach camps throughout the 2023 summer season on top of assisting/ leading different age groups with skill development
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Assisted with leading 18-1’s to Nationals in Chicago in the summer of 2023
Volleyball Coach, Portland, OR
Athena Volleyball Club 2023-Present
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Collaborated with two 17-3 teams, providing strategic and technical support throughout multiple tournament cycles.
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Played a key role in one team's success, resulting in two tournament wins, including a championship in the Silver Division.
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Contributed to team preparation, coordination, and in-game adjustments, enhancing overall team performance.
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Demonstrated adaptability by supporting two different team dynamics and styles, maintaining consistent effort, and communication.
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Helped improve team morale and focus under pressure, contributing to high-stakes match victories and overall tournament success.
ACTIVITIES
College of San Mateo Volleyball Team. San Mateo, California. 2020-2023 Junior college volleyball team
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2022 Coast Conference Champions
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Participate in service events like food distribution and community service
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2022 CCCAA State Final 4
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Team captain of the 2022-23 season, and led the team to State
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Participated in beach volleyball and made it to the postseason in 2021
University of Portland Indoor Volleyball Team. Portland, Oregon. 2023-2025
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D1 sports program that opens opportunities for new skills on and off the court, as well as connections and exposure to the competitions of other teams and colleges
University of Portland Beach Volleyball Team. Portland, Oregon. 2023-Present
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D1 sports program that continues to expand its name in the NCAA, networking between coaches and athletes from different schools, and growing as a unit through high-level training.
SKILLS
Technical Proficiency
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Skilled in Google Docs, Hudl, and email communication tools.
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Proficient in leveraging digital platforms for collaboration and marketing.
Key Strengths
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Good communication skills, both written and verbal, with a strong focus on building relationships and driving sales.
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Great at analyzing industry trends to enhance fan engagement across social media and digital platforms.
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Expertise in developing strategies to market and promote sports teams, events, and entertainment products effectively.
Core Competencies
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Language Proficiency: Great communicator.
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Digital Proficiency: Highly skilled in digital tools and social media strategy.
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Marketing Skills: Strong ability to identify trends, create impactful campaigns, and engage target audiences.
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Blog
The Art of Balancing Academics, Athletics, and Leadership
When people hear the phrase “student-athlete,” they often picture someone juggling practices, games, and study sessions. What they might not realize is that it’s not just about balancing—it’s about excelling in every area while staying true to your personal goals.
As a Business Marketing student at the University of Portland, a volleyball player, and a coach, I’ve learned that success in each role requires more than time management—it demands intentionality, teamwork, and a strong sense of purpose.
The Challenges of Wearing Multiple Hats
Being a student-athlete means the day starts early and ends late. Mornings might involve strength training, afternoons are for classes and group projects, and evenings are filled with practices or games. Add to that my involvement with AKPSI, we are involved in different events and it’s clear that time is a scarce.
At first, it was overwhelming. How could I give 100% to everything without burning out?
How I Stay Grounded and Motivated
The key to balancing it all is staying connected to your “why.” For me, it’s the passion I feel for the game, the drive to grow as a person, and the excitement of pursuing a career in marketing.
I’ve also found that leaning on my support system—coaches, professors, teammates, and family—helps me stay focused and motivated.
Why Leadership Sets You Apart
Coaching at Athena Volleyball has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. It’s not just about teaching skills—it’s about inspiring young athletes to believe in themselves. This role has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively and stay calm under pressure, qualities that translate directly to my academic and professional life.
Lessons Learned on the Court and in the Classroom
Volleyball has taught me resilience and adaptability. In a match, you have to adjust quickly to challenges, and the same is true in the classroom.
For example, during a group project in my marketing class, our original idea didn’t resonate as we’d hoped. Drawing on my experience from the court, I suggested we regroup and adapt our strategy. By working together and staying flexible, we developed a fresh plan that turned out to be a success.
Final Thoughts
Balancing academics, athletics, and leadership isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. These experiences have taught me to prioritize, adapt, and lead with confidence.
If you’re a student-athlete or someone juggling multiple responsibilities, my advice is this: embrace the challenges, celebrate the small wins, and always remember why you started.
What strategies have helped you manage a busy schedule? I’d love to hear your tips!
More About Me...
Skiing, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends are more than just hobbies—they’re the things that keep me balanced and grounded. Skiing pushes me to challenge myself and embrace adventure, while scrapbooking allows me to slow down and appreciate life’s special moments. Connecting with my friends and family reminds me of the importance of community and shared experiences. Together, these activities bring joy, creativity, and purpose to my life, helping me stay centered no matter how busy things get.
08/15/24
Spending time with friends is one of my favorite ways to unwind and recharge. Whether it’s hiking together, catching up over coffee, or simply being in each other's presence, these moments strengthen the bonds that matter most to me. They remind me of the importance of community and staying connected with the people who bring joy and meaning to my life.
12/26/24
Skiing pushes me to take on new challenges, scrapbooking lets me appreciate special memories, and being with friends reminds me of the importance of connection. These simple joys bring creativity, adventure, and happiness to my life.
10/1/24
Scrapbooking is my creative outlet and a way to preserve life’s special moments. I love transforming photos and keepsakes into personalized pages that tell a story. It’s a chance to slow down, reflect, and find joy in the details. This hobby has taught me patience, attention to detail, and the importance of celebrating small moments.
Something different...
Giving back to the community and inspiring others through my passion for volleyball
