The Resume of an Expiration Date Archivist
- Memorization Expertise: Exceptional ability to retain and recall expiration dates across various categories of items, including food, medicine, and household products. - Archival and Cataloging Skills: Proficient in developing detailed databases and organizational systems to track expiration data for thousands of items. - Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy and precision when documenting and analyzing expiration dates. - Philosophical Insight: Skilled at interpreting expiration dates as metaphors for larger existential themes such as mortality, impermanence, and purpose. - Pattern Recognition: Identifies trends in product shelf lives and their broader implications for consumer behavior and societal values. - Mindfulness Practices: Applies a thoughtful, reflective approach to everyday tasks, promoting meaningful engagement with the present moment.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Graduated: 2012. Focus: Existentialism, mortality, and the philosophy of time. Senior Thesis: 'Marked by Time: An Analysis of Expiration Dates as Symbols of Mortality.' - Certificate in Data Organization and Archiving, Midwest Institute of Information Management, Chicago, IL, Completed: 2014. Gained technical and practical skills in creating archival systems and managing large datasets.
Professional Experience
- Independent Expiration Date Archivist, Self-Employed, Chicago, IL, 2015 – Present. Memorized and cataloged expiration dates for over 5,000 household items, developed a proprietary tracking system, authored reflective essays, hosted community workshops, and consulted for grocery stores. - Data Archivist Intern, Chicago Historical Records Society, Chicago, IL, 2013 – 2014. Assisted in digital preservation, cataloging, and organizing datasets, contributing to a project on the history of manufacturing processes.
Key Projects
1. 'The Expiration Date Chronicles': A personal blog exploring expiration dates and themes of mindfulness, mortality, and impermanence. Posts include 'The Milk that Spoiled: Lessons on Letting Go' and 'Canned Goods and the Illusion of Forever.' 2. Expiration Awareness Campaign: Partnered with community organizations to promote awareness about food waste and mindful consumption through pamphlets and seminars. 3. Philosophical Workshop Series: 'Marked by Time': Workshops using expiration dates to discuss mortality, life’s meaning, and impermanence.
Hobbies and Interests
- Mindfulness Practices: Enjoys meditation and journaling to reflect on life’s transient nature. - Writing: Regularly writes essays about the symbolic meaning of expiration dates and their connection to human mortality. - Cooking: Experiments with recipes featuring 'near-expiration' ingredients to reduce food waste. - Reading: Fascinated by philosophical works on time, mortality, and impermanence by thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger, and Buddhist scholars.
Personal Philosophy
“Every expiration date is a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and therein lies its beauty. By acknowledging the limits of time—whether for a loaf of bread or a human life—we learn to savor the present, embrace endings, and celebrate the fleeting moments that make existence meaningful.”
Jonathan E. Marks’ resume showcases a unique blend of practical skills and philosophical insight. His work as an expiration date archivist highlights the symbolic and practical importance of impermanence, encouraging a mindful approach to life and resources.
Data Archivist – Consumer Goods Specialist
Large retailers (e.g., Walmart, Amazon), grocery chains (e.g., Kroger), or manufacturing companies
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain databases to track and monitor product life cycles, from manufacturing to expiration.
Analyze trends in shelf life data to optimize inventory management and reduce waste for retail or manufacturing companies.
Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure timely stock rotation and minimize expired inventory.
Required Skills
Strong organizational and cataloging abilities with experience in database management tools (e.g., SQL, Tableau).
Expertise in consumer goods or retail supply chains.
Analytical mindset with a focus on identifying patterns and actionable insights.
Philosophical Writer – Temporal Studies Focus
Academic institutions, cultural organizations, or freelance writing platforms
Responsibilities
Research and produce reflective essays, articles, or books on themes such as time, impermanence, and mortality.
Collaborate with academic or cultural organizations to create workshops or public talks exploring the philosophical implications of everyday objects or concepts.
Develop creative content that combines philosophical insights with practical applications, such as mindfulness or sustainability.
Required Skills
Exceptional writing and research skills, with a background in philosophy or humanities.
Ability to draw connections between abstract ideas and real-world practices.
Experience in public speaking or workshop facilitation is a plus.
Mindfulness and Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability nonprofits, wellness organizations, or corporate social responsibility teams
Responsibilities
Design and implement programs that teach individuals or organizations how to reduce waste and embrace mindful consumption.
Use expiration data to promote sustainability practices, such as food waste reduction or efficient resource utilization.
Lead workshops on mindfulness, focusing on the symbolic and practical importance of impermanence.
Required Skills
Knowledge of sustainability principles and waste-reduction strategies.
Strong public speaking and facilitation skills, with an ability to engage diverse audiences.
Background in mindfulness practices or philosophical studies is highly valued.
Inventory Optimization Analyst – Food and Beverage Industry
Food manufacturers (e.g., Nestlé, PepsiCo) or grocery retailers
Responsibilities
Analyze inventory turnover rates and expiration cycles to improve stock management for food and beverage companies.
Develop predictive models to anticipate product spoilage and recommend proactive solutions to reduce financial loss.
Work closely with procurement and supply chain teams to enhance operational efficiency.
Required Skills
Proficiency in data analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Python, or Power BI) and statistical modeling.
Experience in the food and beverage industry or retail supply chains.
Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on actionable insights.
Archivist of Everyday Life – Cultural Preservation Focus
Museums, cultural institutions, or academic research centers
Responsibilities
Catalog and preserve artifacts of contemporary life, such as expiration-dated products, to document societal trends and consumer behavior for future generations.
Work with museums or cultural institutions to create exhibits that explore the relationship between objects, time, and impermanence.
Conduct research to uncover symbolic meanings behind everyday objects and their cultural significance.
Required Skills
Background in archival studies, anthropology, or cultural history.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Creative thinker with a passion for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.
