Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

Public relations M.S. candidate with four years of journalism experience.

Seeking: Full-time communications position in NYC or New Jersey

I'm a strong writer and editor with experience on both sides of the media pitching process. My job as a local government reporter was to help readers understand the issues and actions shaping their communities. I think, in some ways, good PR is a natural extension of that process.

In fall 2010, with the goal of translating my newspaper reporting skills into a public relations career, I enrolled in New York University's Public Relations and Corporate Communication graduate program.

I left my job as a municipal government reporter in January to take an internship with the PR firm Makovsky + Company. The firm gave me a thorough grounding in the business side of communication through hands-on account work, client team observation, and by mentoring me and another intern as we developed a mock new business presentation.

Work History

• Makovsky + Company
• Intern
• January 2011 to May 2011

• Provided a range of support services for health, finance and technology accounts, including:
  • Pitching to local and national media
  • Social media monitoring and strategy development
  • Media research
  • Drafting editorial content
  • Conducting and filming interviews for a regional advocacy campaign
  Also partnered with another intern to develop a comprehensive (theoretical) new business campaign.

• The Intelligencer
• Reporter
• January 2007 to January 2011

• Covered the politics, finances, municipal development projects and day-to-day events of townships and school districts in the Philadelphia suburbs.
  • Wrote an average of five to seven articles a week – many on tight deadlines
  • Blogged and tweeted breaking news.
  • Won state and national writing awards as part of a team for 2007 series on Title IX compliance.

• Somerset County (N.J.) United Way
• Volunteer
• August 2009 to January 2011

• • Wrote for and managed the blog, “Live United – Somerset!”
  • Worked to expand and strategize the nonprofit’s social media presence as a member of the Web 2.0 committee.
  • Ghostwrote a newspaper op-ed for the CEO.

Education

• Indiana University - Bloomington
• B.A., Journalism, Music
• 2003 - 2006

• New York University
• M.S., Public Relations and Corporate Communication
• 2010 -

• Expect to graduate in 2012.