Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I help businesses, organizations and individuals communicate with their audience in a concise, informative, relevant and inviting way.

Work History

• Self
• Freelance editor
• May 2005 to Present

• * Use communication, time-management and organization skills to successfully work independently, resulting in repeat clients and long-term freelance relationships.
  * Edit copy for grammar, style, content and consistency.

• GetLegal
• Copy editor
• April 2008 to November 2008

• * Edited copy for getlegal.com and law firm Web sites.
  * Demonstrated flexibility and dependability, leading to expanded duties as writer and project manager.
  * Researched, wrote, edited and uploaded high volume of brief content for getlegal.com Legal History section.
  * After position eliminated, offered continual freelance work based on proven time-management, organization and communication skills.

• Nordstrom Direct
• Internet product copy proofreader
• July 2007 to January 2008

• * Edited and uploaded heavy workload of retail merchandise product descriptions daily with superior accuracy and adherence to style guidelines.
  * Used time-management and organization skills to balance duty of editing product descriptions with entering buyers’ corrections and changes.
  * Displayed teamwork and self-motivation by continually learning about designer retail merchandise from product copy writers, store visits and reference materials.
  * Helped overhaul house style guide, updating and formatting it to be reader-friendly and consistent.
  * Helped create and maintain always-changing lists of brand names and product-specific terms.

• Lewis Editorial
• Copy editor
• January 2007 to July 2007

• • Marketed business online, purchasing Web domain and advertising with Editorial Freelancers Association.
  • Used entrepreneurial, research and communication skills to find professional graphic artist willing to create logo in exchange for editing services.

• PartnerComm
• Copy editor
• October 2005 to December 2006

• * Edited and proofread employee-benefits communications.
  * Gained support from coworkers as sole copy editor using communication, organization and time-management skills to prioritize and maintain heavy workload with simultaneous deadlines.
  * Consistently displayed superior attention to detail, even when editing unfamiliar subjects, resulting in respect from writers and designers.

• Javelin Direct
• Senior copy editor
• December 2003 to April 2005

• * Edited and proofread print and online direct-marketing pieces.
  * Demonstrated independent teamwork, exceptional attention to detail and ability to juggle overlapping, varying deadlines on high-volume, high-visibility account.
  * Promoted from junior CE to CE to senior CE.

• Rapp Collins
• Junior copy editor
• April 2003 to December 2003

• * Edited and proofread print direct-marketing pieces.
  * Demonstrated independent teamwork, exceptional attention to detail and ability to juggle overlapping, varying deadlines on high-volume, high-visibility account.

  Major account move resulted in position transfer to Javelin Direct.

• The Shorthorn (University of Texas at Arlington)
• Copy editor
• October 1999 to December 2002

• * Edited copy, wrote and edited headlines and photo captions, and proofread hard copies of the newspaper.
  * Met tight deadlines with exceptional accuracy, attention to detail and adherence to style guidelines.

• Pohly & Partners
• Editorial intern
• June 2002 to July 2002

• Fact-checked, researched and wrote magazine articles.

• The Shorthorn (University of Texas at Arlington)
• Copy desk chief
• May 2000 to December 2000

• * Performed all duties of copy editor and proofreader.
  * Managed team of copy editors and proofreaders.
  * Acted as liaison between copy desk and all other staff members.
  * Promoted professional development of copy editors by planning training sessions and holding regular meetings.

Education

• The University of Texas at Arlington
• B.A., Journalism, Women's Studies
• 1998 - 2002

• Took classes on news reporting, magazine writing, sports reporting, photojournalism, opinion writing, layout, graphics, communication law and news editing.

  Worked for three years at The Shorthorn, the university's award-winning daily newspaper. Won awards for my own work along with team awards for entire issues. Learned how to not only edit and proofread but also work as part of a team, meet deadlines, manage stress and handle lots of different personalities.