Kai Ambakad

Hello! I'm Kai, a Ph.D. candidate in Developmental Psychology specializing in Human Development and Health. My journey is driven by a profound interest in understanding human growth and its impact on well-being. I have a natural talent for creating accessible educational materials, which led me to Learning & Development. I'm committed to dedicating my life to learning and growth, not only for myself but for others. This commitment inspired the creation of a platform to share my insights and knowledge.

Beyond academics, I have diverse interests, including photography, culinary arts, drawing, video games, and travel. I believe a well-rounded life, balancing scholarly dedication with creativity, fosters holistic development. I'm dedicated to forging meaningful connections and embracing exploration. Whether it's human development or creative endeavors, I'm eager to engage in conversations with those who share my passion for knowledge and creativity. Feel free to check out my work and contact me if you're interested!

Here you'll find a timeline of all the experience I have accumulated over the years and how that has shaped me as a person. This will give you an insight to all of the skills I have gained over the years helping me to create the material I have made up to today

• Communication
• Organization
• Team Collaboration
• Leadership
• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Customer Service
• Problem-Solving
• Training and Instruction
• Tech Savvy

• System Automation
• Database Management
• HRIS Administration
• Survey Platforms
• Learning Management Systems
• Training development
• Instructional Design
• Onboarding
• Mentorship
• Workshop Facilitation
• Resource Utilization
• Learning Resource Creation
• Bilingual in Malayalam

• UKG
• Microsoft Office Suites
• Google Suites
• Relias
• Adobe Suites (Creative Cloud)
• Canva
• Prezi Presentation Software
• Kahoot! & Mentimeter
• Asana
• Monday.com
• Canvas LMS by Instructure
• Web Conference Software such as Zoom
• Articulate Storyline

In 2023, I continued to serve as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, CA. My role involved conducting comprehensive new hire orientations, creating instructional recruitment materials, and optimizing the onboarding process. Meanwhile, I was actively preparing for my doctoral defense, scheduled for the end of summer in 2024, as I pursued my Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology with a specialization in Human Development & Health at Walden University. These experiences allowed me to hone my skills in adult learning methodologies and instructional design, which I could bring to future Learning and Development endeavors.

During 2022, I held the position of Talent Acquisition Coordinator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, CA. In this role, I excelled at delivering engaging new hire orientations, developing instructional recruitment materials, and providing insights into automating processes. I was also actively involved in the coordination of interviews and the creation of LGBTQIA+ employee resource group programs, allowing me to leverage my expertise in instructional design principles.

In 2021, I worked as an HR Assistant III at Stanford Sierra Youth & Families in Sacramento, CA. My responsibilities included the development and delivery of highly effective new hire orientation and training materials, optimizing the UKG integration process, and identifying opportunities for automation. These experiences allowed me to further refine my expertise in instructional design and adult learning methodologies, positioning me well for future roles in Learning and Development.

I also achieved a significant milestone by completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of California, Davis, with a double major in Human Development and Psychology, along with a minor in Neuroscience. This accomplishment marked the culmination of my undergraduate studies and equipped me with a strong foundation in human development and psychology, which are vital areas for instructional design and learning and development opportunities. Additionally, I gained practical experience as an L&D Intern, which enhanced my understanding of effective training methods and adult learning principles, making me well-prepared for future L&D roles.

In 2020, I held the position of Sr. Payroll Assistant at the University of California, Davis in Davis, CA. In this role, I created comprehensive training manuals, and automated office protocols, and supervised student employees. Additionally, I supported faculty members in managing administrative tasks and contributed to the development of instructional resources. These experiences enhanced my skill set in instructional design, particularly in creating user-friendly training materials.

In addition to this, I also worked in the Human Nutrition research field, serving as a Research Assistant in the Falbe Lab at the University of California, Davis. My responsibilities included reviewing and organizing images, performing data cleanup, and gathering essential research materials, which contributed to efficiently organizing research efforts. This role sharpened my attention to detail and organizational skills, which are vital in instructional design and course development.

In 2020, I had the opportunity to serve as a Hand Therapy Intern at the UC Davis Medical Center's Outpatient Center. This internship provided valuable insights into dealing with diverse personalities and how to tailor teaching concepts and recovery methods to suit each individual's unique needs.

The year 2019 saw me in various roles. I took on roles such as a Writing Assistant and Payroll Assistant at the University of California, Davis, where I supported students in enhancing their writing skills and assisted faculty members in administrative tasks. However, before transferring, I became a substitute School Office Assistant at the Anaheim Elementary School District, where I managed electronic records, provided program information, and handled various office tasks. These roles sharpened my organizational and instructional abilities.

In 2018, I served as an ABA Service Coordinator at Behavioral Health Works, INC in Anaheim, CA. My responsibilities included managing therapy session schedules, coordinating with clinical teams, and optimizing therapist allocation. Effective communication with caregivers, stakeholders, and therapists allowed me to provide timely updates on session schedules, a skill transferable to Learning and Development.

In addition to this, starting from 2018, I celebrated the completion of my Associate's degree in Psychology and Anthropology, marking a significant milestone in my academic journey and equipping me with a strong foundation in these areas, valuable for instructional design and learning and development.

From 2016 to 2017, I worked as a Stores Stage Scheduler at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. In this role, I collaborated closely with store managers and HR teams to coordinate training sessions, ensuring seamless onboarding and skill development for new employees. This experience enhanced my skills in designing and coordinating training schedules and materials.

In addition to this, I made significant contributions as a Psychological Research Assistant I at the Social Science Research Center (SSRC) at California State University, Fullerton. My responsibilities span diverse roles, encompassing phone survey data collection, survey mailing, and new team member training. I assumed a leadership role in onboarding and skill enhancement, leveraging SPSS for meticulous data cleaning and analysis, which enhanced my research and instructional design capabilities.

Starting my career off, I began working for many temporary assignments prior to my first job at Disneyland. In the beginning of 2016, I worked as a Merchandiser at Disneyland, where I demonstrated excellent customer service and received a promotion in recognition of my dedication and performance.

In addition to this, I also started attending Fullerton Community College to gain more experience within Psychology. I was able to join the STEM program and Honors program at the time of my attendance.