Experience

OVERALL STRENGTHS

• Experienced communications professional with extensive background in writing, music, business, and arts and culture.
• Skilled at writing and editing informative and promotional materials. Marketing, branding, website content, collateral materials.
• Versed in multiple software packages: proficient in MSWord, Excel, InDesign, QuarkXpress, PhotoShop, PowerPoint and PC/Mac-based programs.
• Excellent interviewer.
• Spanish.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Basic HTML.
• SEO

Skills: AP Style, conversational Spanish, strong writing, interviewing, editing and Web researching and organizational skills. I pride myself on being creative and unique when it comes to writing and embrace culture, the arts and highlighting people. I am proficient in PC and Mac applications, including Microsoft Office, Outlook Express, Photoshop, iMovie, QuarkXPress and InDesign.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Record Store Book, January 2012 to present: Content provider

Collaborate with a photographer and editor to create content for photography book. Interviewed 50 independent vinyl record store owners in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Book released on April 14, 2015 on Rare Bird Books.

Hispanic Business Online Magazine, October 2010 to March 2014: Staff Writer

Deliver hard-hitting, business-related and Hispanic-centered articles for a leading national online magazine.

Expert at in-depth interviews, combined with on-time delivery of top-quality feature stories profiling leaders in the Latino community. Keep abreast of breaking business news. Post original content hour-by-hour, as well as syndicated content and incorporate SEO for high traffic.

Handle social media accounts related to the publication, and compile weekly newsletters for subscribers.

Work closely and maintain relationships with PR agencies to obtain information about interview subjects.

Casa Dolores: Mexican Folk Art Museum and Nonprofit, March 2013 to March 2014: Assistant Director

Continuously update museum’s Facebook and create monthly newsletters.

Recruit volunteers, maintain relations with local publications to gain exposure.

Open and close museum, as well as give tours to visitors who come from around the world.

Research text panels for art, artists and areas of Mexico, which are featured throughout the museum.

Help in planning of new exhibitions and events.

Work with interns and designate them projects.

“Stories 4 Women: a Collection of True Short Stories,” Published November 2010: Co-author

Successfully co-authored a self-published nonfiction book with three other female authors.

Organized a successful book launch attended by more than 100 people.

University of California, Santa Barbara KJUC AM, January 2011 to March 2011: Radio DJ

Broadcast weekly interviews of local community members that I personally sought out, discussing politics, culture, travel, arts and entertainment. Serve as station DJ, playing music between interview segments.

Palos Verdes Peninsula News, 2006 to 2010: Community Editor

Supported all sections of the paper, writing features, commentary, captions and headlines. Edited content for style and grammar.

Actively attended city council meetings and provided quick-turn coverage of community developments.

Expert in using QuarkXPress; Used to design and layout special sections.

Oversaw columnists, ensuring deadlines were met.

Old Venice Restaurant, 1998 to 2001, and 2009 to 2010: Hostess, Server

Served tables and maintained customer relations.

Lulu’s, 2006 to 2009: Sales Associate, Events Planner and Window Display Associate

Worked closely with store manager to compile newsletter and invitations for in-store events and trunk shows.

Ender Technology, 2004 to 2006: Writer, administrative assistant

Wrote timely, highly targeted articles for company’s Web site about Southern California (www.sobay.net).

Used HTML coding skills to updated Web sites.

Applied principles of search engine optimization to maximize readership.

Brentwood Magazine, 2005/ Entrepreneur Magazine, 2004:  Editorial Intern

Researched and copy edited stories, helping ensure grammar and accuracy.

Published multiple articles under strict deadline and fact-checked and copy edited.

Interviewed and screened potential profiles and companies.

VH-1/ Viacom: Behind the Real World and Behind South Park, 2003

Interviewed members of the MTV Real World and Olympic Gold medalist, Brian Boitano.

Acted as coordinator and liaison between talent, director of photography and his crew, the make-up artist, the owner of the location where production was held.

 

Education: San Jose State University, B.S. in Magazine Journalism with an emphasis in music, 2004

El Camino College, Journalism focus, 2001

Awards: Magazine Alumni Scholarship, San Jose State University 2004