Professional Experience
A knack for finding interesting stories, thorough reporting and artful writing—always delivered on deadline—have helped me win multiple awards, land steady gigs and make a career as a journalist for the past eight years. I’ve covered everything from women’s rights in Ghana to the pot penny stock market, doing multimedia work for local and national publications. I'm passionate about sharing compelling human interest stories, quirky trends and profiles, innovations in business and science, travel stories and whatever new subject I’ll discover tomorrow. I’m a lifelong learner, earning my first graduate degree while I taught high school and teaching undergraduate courses while I worked as a newspaper reporter. I see journalism as another form of teaching, helping readers understand the world around them, curbing prejudice by exposing them to different views and assisting them in making informed decisions.
Expertise
Editor
2 Years
Reporter
8 Years
Writer
8 Years
Specialty
Education
8 Years
Business (general)
8 Years
Travel
8 Years
Industries
Magazine - Trade magazines/publications (B2B)
1 Year
Newspaper - Local/Regional
6 Years
Newspaper - Community
6 Years
Total Media Industry Experience
8 Years
Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
Daily Press (10+), Orange County Register (10+), Vegas Seven Magazine (3-5)
Other Work History
1. Freelance Journalist (Oct. 2006 – Present): Work published in Vegas Seven Magazine, Scholastic Classroom Magazines, The Atlanta Voice, Chelsea Now, The Villager, Downtown Express, The New York Resident, Big Bear Grizzly, NYCreports.com, MensRacing.com, Fast-Women.com and RunningTimes.com
2. Reporter, Orange County Register (Jan. 2013 – June 2014): Covered South County communities plus tracked area water and development
3. City Editor and Senior Reporter, Victorville Daily Press (Jan. 2008 – Dec. 2012): Managed five reporters plus freelancers while still writing up to six stories a week covering Victorville. That coverage sparked local, state and federal investigations.
4. Adjunct Faculty, Victor Valley College (Sept. 2008 – May 2012): Taught reading and writing courses
5. Teacher, Rubidoux High School (Sept. 2004 – June 2006): Led students in newspaper production plus taught English and AVID
Technical Skills
I can shoot and edit my own basic videos, audio, slideshows and photos using programs such as Avid, Final Cut, Adobe and GarageBand. I can also do basic layout using programs such as InDesign.
Computer Skills
I'm adept at using both a Mac and PC. I can do in-depth online research, use social media such as Twitter and Facebook, use platforms to build my own websites and blogs, use multiple news editing programs and use Office, including Word and Excel.
Equipment
I have a MacBook and MacBook Pro, an iPhone, a basic digital camera and an audio recorder with USB output.
Work Permits & Visas
Have passport, will travel!
References
Available on request
Awards
-First place for breaking news during the 2013 California Newspaper Publisher Association's Better Newspapers contest
-Blue ribbon for environmental coverage in the 2012 CNPA contest
-Second place in the feature category and general excellence in 2011 CNPA contest
-The 2010 Daily Press Publisher’s Award