🎓 College & Graduate Admissions Coaching

Services Offered:

• Personal Statement Review (UC PIQs, SOPs)

• Application Strategy & School Selection Guidance

• Essay Brainstorming Sessions

• DEI & First-Gen Narrative Coaching (Whether you’re unsure if your background is competitive enough, worried about “saying the wrong thing”, or just need help framing your experiences authentically, I’ll guide you in crafting an application that aligns with your story and the program’s values.)

Why I’m Qualified:
I was accepted to multiple University of California (UC) campuses, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. I’ve reviewed numerous graduate-level personal statements, and two of my clients were admitted to their top-choice STEM master’s programs. I hold a BA and a Master’s degree, and have five years of PhD-level training in academia. 

📚 Academic & Research Support

Services Offered:

• Essay Structuring & Editing (Academic, Policy, and Planning Topics)

• Zotero Setup & Citation Management Coaching

• APA format review

• Microsoft Excel for Research (data cleaning, pivot tables, formatting)

• ArcGIS Fundamentals (intro-level, social science use cases)

Why I’m Qualified:
With five years of PhD-level academic training, I’ve graded hundreds of college-level social science essays and supported students with APA formatting. I have academic publications based on original data analysis, and professional experience using ArcGIS and QGIS in planning and policy contexts. 

🏙 Urban Planning & Public Policy Career Support

Services Offered:

• Resume & Cover Letter Reviews (for planning/policy/public sector roles)

• Early career Strategy Coaching for Urban Planning/Policy Paths

• Interview Prep for Nonprofit, Consultant, and Government Positions

Why I’m Qualified:
I hold a Master’s in Urban Planning with a concentration in Transportation Planning, and pursued PhD-level work in Urban Planning and Public Policy with a focus on innovation and urban mobility. I’ve worked in both public and private sectors on multimodal transportation projects, including pedestrian, bicycle, rail, and bus transit planning.

🗣 Japanese Language Tutoring (Beginner–Intermediate)

Services Offered:

• Grammar and Sentence Structure Help

• Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji Reading Practice

• Everyday Conversation, Travel Phrases, and Cultural Context

Why I’m Qualified:
Japanese is my second language, and I attended Japanese supplemental school growing up. I also spent part of high school in Japan and continued taking Japanese as an elective in the U.S. I’ve informally tutored peers and helped others with homework and self-study in beginner to intermediate-level Japanese. 

💻 Tech Help & PC Building Support

Services Offered:

• Beginner Tech Troubleshooting (Mac/PC basics, file management, digital tools)

• Custom PC Build Consulting (compatibility, parts selection, builds for students)

Why I’m Qualified:
I’ve built multiple custom gaming PCs in both small and mid-sized form factors. I’ve helped clients select compatible parts based on budget and performance needs, and provided virtual support through the build and troubleshooting process. I’m experienced with Windows, macOS, and Linux environments, and enjoy making tech more approachable. 

📍 Relocation & Neighborhood Guidance (California-focused)

Services Offered:

• Housing & Neighborhood Fit Advice (SoCal LA/OC  areas)

• Moving Logistics Coaching (cost of living, transportation, local culture)

Why I’m Qualified:
I’ve spent over a decade living in Southern California, across several distinct areas. As an urban planner, I bring insight into local neighborhoods, transportation access, housing types, and the cultural feel of each area—whether you're a student, young professional, or family relocating. 

Not sure what you need? I also offer general consultations to talk through your goals and help you figure out next steps.

📬 Ready to connect? Email alex@pacificmentor.com or visit Discord.

Let’s find a path that works for you.