HIGHLIGHTS
● Dynamic writer and narrator
● HTML, CSS and Javascript (beginner)
● Google SEO
● WordPress
● Data analysis
● Social media strategy
● Effective interviewer
● Video production and editing
● News photography
● Page layout and design
● Adobe Creative
● Strong interpersonal skills
● Deadline-driven
● Bilingual (conversational in American Sign Language)
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Wrote #1 most-viewed news story in 2017 for Bay Area News Group community division, generating more than 273,000 views and backlinks from BBC and CBS News
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Authored five of the Top 20 most-viewed news articles for community division in 2017, including #1 most-viewed story overall
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Founding staff member of the San Jose Spotlight, the first nonprofit news organization in the city of San Jose, California (2018)
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Regular radio correspondent for BBC News since 2017
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Guest commentator on "Valley Politics" live television broadcast (November 2018)
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Moderator for San Jose City Council District 7 candidate forum hosted by the Santa Clara County Democratic Club (April 2018)
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Certificate of Appreciation and commendation from the Kiwanis Club of San Jose (March 2018)
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Guest speaker at Kiwanis Club of San Jose and West San Jose-Campbell Lions Club; multimedia presentation on the relationship between Wall Street hedge funds and local newspapers (March 2018)
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Moderated two televised political debates for 2016 San Jose City Council elections
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Stories have been above fold on Huffington Post, picked up internationally by "Good Morning America", 41 ABC affiliates, BBC, CBS, CNN, NBC, FOX, CBS, HLN, Sydney Morning Herald, Toronto Globe, Vancouver Sun, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, Daily Mail, The Independent (UK), etc.
HONORS AND AWARDS
● 2018 Certificate of Appreciation and commendation from the Kiwanis Club of San Jose
● 2008 President's Honors from Sacramento City College
Freelance Journalist/Communications Specialist
● Generate eye-catching investigative news stories for online, print and broadcast reports on a variety of issues such as politics, gun control and the marijuana industry
● Write original and in-depth web content about the Southeast Asian tech market including ecommerce, digital financial services and Sea, the region's second-highest valued startup (April 2018)
● Regular contributor for BBC Radio 5 Live on West Coast news and events
● Feature writer for Metro News Weekly news column on the Silicon Valley marijuana industry
Bay Area News Group/Digital First Media
Aug. 2015 to Feb. 2018
San Jose, CA
Editorial/staff writer
● Developed and produced 4-6 articles weekly for print and online publication including cover stories and breaking news for up to six newspapers circulated by Bay Area News Group, the leading newspaper publisher in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley
● Wrote hard-hitting news covering politics, crime, housing, education, technology, healthcare, transportation, land use, labor, development and features in San Jose’s city council districts 6, 9 and 10
● Conducted in-person and phone interviews with sources including government officials, business owners, law enforcement officials, community stakeholders, nonprofit leaders, activists, experts and opinion leaders in a wide variety of fields.
● Collaborated with editors, photographers and fellow writers to curate original and in-depth news coverage on an array of topics.
I served as a staff writer for BANG from August 2015 to February 2018, covering San Jose city council district 6, 9 and 10 during that time. In this position, I wrote a weekly average of five news and feature stories including regular strip stories on the front page; reported on local government, elections, housing, crime, education, land use and transportation, customizing coverage to residents in those communities; developed and maintained professional relationships with city staff, elected officials, prosecutors, defense attorneys, planning commissioners, business owners, PR representatives, activists and residents; and completed company workshops to expand my knowledge of Google search engine optimization, Slack platform utilization and WordPress publishing.
Messenger Publishing Group
May 2014 to Aug. 2015
Sacramento, CA
Freelance community reporter
I started professionally at MPG, a publishing company serving the greater Sacramento region with online and print community newspapers and niche magazines. While there, I attended and reported on 1-2 weekly public meetings at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Water District, Citrus Heights City Council and Rancho Cordova City Council; covered current and ongoing issues such as local elections, tax measures and utility rate increases; conducted interviews and sit-downs with key figures in city, county and state government and special districts; political candidates, PR representatives, residents, business owners and sources; assisted with copy editing and line editing.
Freelance Public Relations Specialist
I managed promotional and media activity for clients in the Sacramento area including Sacramento Bushido Kai, Belly Dance Teachers of Greater Sacramento, Sacramento Professional Belly Dancers Network and Hot Pot Studios. Using my experience and lessons learned during college, I successfully strategized and implemented publicity campaigns for clients using social media and traditional marketing methods; coordinated, managed and prepared clients for press interviews and live television appearances; generated pre- and post-event publicity including coverage on local ABC station affiliate and Sacramento Press newspaper websites; wrote press releases, media advisories and other publicity materials; developed and maintained media contact databases; oversaw the redesign of promotional materials including website copy, pamphlets, showcase programs and press releases; and arranged photography and videography for events.
Sutter Health Group
Marketing and Communications Intern
During this internship, I acted as media liaison for a special Centering Pregnancy Program at Sutter General Hospital during my first six weeks; was responsible for arranging and overseeing all aspects of the media event including arranging interviews with reporters and drafting media advisories; handled marketing and promotions for several charitable causes including the 4th Annual Donut Dash; interviewed hospital staff and patients for press releases, blog posts and newsletter articles; performed marketing and social media research to increase brand awareness of organization; wrote, edited and distributed press releases, newsletter updates, media advisories, and industrial film scripts; and maintained and updated media contact list
The State Hornet
Jan. 2009 – May 2010
Sacramento, CA
Reporter/Columnist
As a student journalist, I covered student government elections, education lobbying efforts and campus crime; wrote a weekly op-ed column; recorded Internet podcasts; filmed and edited video footage; participated in a public records audit of a public school district; conducted interviews with high-profile public figures including Paul Orfalea (Chairman Emeritus of Kinko’s-FedEx) and Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng (sister of President Barack Obama)
The Express
Aug. 2006 – Dec. 2008
Sacramento, Calif.
Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
My first experience working in a real world newsroom was at The Express, a bi-weekly student newspaper at Sacramento City College. I was introduced to working with managing editors, writers and fellow graphic designers on page layout, design and creating original visual elements; wrote news articles and headlines; and assisted with photo editing and proofreading.
Education
2012 / MAY
California State University Sacramento
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism; Minor in Communications
2009 / JAN
Sacramento City College
Associate Arts Degree in Journalism;
Graduated with President's Honors