A conversation with Conference Services Event Specialist Jing Zeng
Q: What do you really do at CLS?
A: My official title is Event Specialist. And I work on the Conference Services team within the C.A.R. team, which is Conference Services, Arts and Events, and Retail Services. One of my primary responsibilities is to help internal and external folks find space for their events and ensure that their events are successful. I help them understand the possibilities and limitations of Mission Bay and the Millberry Union Conference Center. I also help our clients visualize our spaces, whether that's through designing a floor plan, guiding them through a walking tour, or connecting clients with any resources that would help them in the planning process.
On the day of the event, I'm also onsite for additional event support.
Q: How long have you worked at UCSF?
A: I've been at UCSF since the end of September. I am such a newbie and I've learned so much in the past two and a half months.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: That's such a great question. I love many aspects of my job, but the people are definitely my favorite. I have incredible teammates who are each talented in their own way. My manager, [Event Services Venue Manager] Emily Lefson has been with UCSF for many years. She has a wealth of knowledge and knows the inner workings of UCSF like the back of her hand. My teammate, [Event Specialist] Darla Parks has extensive knowledge in the catering industry and can do floor plans like no other. [Event Specialist] Nick Vogel is the king of efficient workflows, and he always inspires me to optimize my workflow. My cohort buddy, [Event Specialist] Rebecca Mauricio has kept me afloat on the busiest days and the most stressful times. I'll always be grateful for her!
Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out at UCSF?
A: I have two pieces of advice that have helped me navigate UCSF. The first is to be curious. During my past two and a half months here at UCSF, I've found that the more questions I asked, the more knowledge I learned.
My second piece of advice is don't be afraid to reach out to folks in other departments at UCSF. It's important to build a work community around you, and I believe the best way to do that is to actively reach out and learn what other folks do!
Q: What did you do before coming to UCSF or CLS?
A: Prior to UCSF, I worked in sales and marketing at Adobe. My experience was primarily in account management. I discovered my love for event planning when I volunteered to plan events for the Registered Staff Organization (RGO) Asian Pacific Islander at Adobe. When I was laid off from Adobe in 2022, I decided that it was time for me to pivot to event planning.
Q: Where'd you grow up?
A: I have two places where I call home. The first is Fuzhou, China. It's where I was born. Fuzhou is a coastal city in Southern China known for its beautiful mountains, hot springs, and mango tree-lined streets. My second home is Green Bay, Wisconsin. I spent my formative years here, learning the English language and being a cheesehead. Go Pack Go!
Q: What was it like transitioning from Fuzhou, China to Wisconsin?
A: My transition from Fuzhou to Wisconsin was pleasant and life-changing. I enjoyed the change in my pace of life - from a city that is constantly hustling and bustling to a town that is quaint and quiet.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to live in two completely different cultures.
Q: And how was it also then transitioning to California from Chicago?
A: My move to California felt lonely at first. San Francisco is such a transient city. I've seen many friends move here and move away after a couple of years. I'm constantly building my community. What's really incredible about UCSF is that it's such a stable community that I'm excited to be a part of. I'm getting closer to my team every day and I'm looking forward to seeing how our relationship will continue to develop over the next year.
Q: What do you do for yourself when you're not working?
A: I love photography. I'm a wedding/event photographer on the side. When I was in college, I took a road trip to national parks around Vancouver, Canada. I took many photos of the beautiful scenery and my friends on an iPhone. I realized how much I love preserving memories through my own eyes. After the trip, I purchased my first DSLR and decided that wedding photography was my favorite because it combines many types of photography like portraits, events, products, etc!
Q: Do you have a professional website for your photography?
A: I do! My website is www.jingzeng.co. My Instagram handle is @jingzeng.co.
Q: Anything else you'd like your colleagues to know about you?
A:I want to use this opportunity to express my gratitude. I'm so grateful to be a part of Team C.A.R. led by our very own Jennifer Dowd-Kim, [Associate Director of Retail, Arts and Events, and Conference Services]. Everyone on the team has taught me so much and made me feel welcome over the short amount of time that I've been on the team. Since all of my family lives in China, I see the C.A.R. team as my own family here in the city. Thank you C.A.R.!