Resumé

Katherine Poythress
katherine(dot)poythress(at)gmail(dot)com

EMPLOYMENT:


Freelancer: San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego, Calif.; April 2012-Present

Reporter-Host: Honolulu Civil Beat, civilbeat.com, Honolulu, Hawaii; March 2010-March 2012

• Self-directed enterprise and investigative reporting on public education system
• Special project development and management, with database building and analysis
• Interactive education blog for breaking news incorporating SEO
• Feature and breaking-news photography for all beats
• Regular radio and television appearances to discuss education issues and events
• Heavy use of a proprietary CMS, moderate use of HTML
• Nonstop marketing and community engagement via social media (Facebook, Twitter)

Reporter/Staff Writer: The Gadsden Times, gadsdentimes.com, Gadsden, Ala.; Aug. 2009-March 2010

• Daily and enterprise coverage of local non-profit organizations, government and schools 
• Produced multimedia projects for Web edition to augment content in print edition
• Shot poignant human-interest photos of sensitive subjects

Bureau Reporter: The Daily Home, dailyhome.com, Talladega, Ala.; July 2008-Aug. 2009

• Investigative reporting into local government, including series that caused resignations and ouster of several board members
• Covered every aspect of two city beats, from council meetings to crime
• Independently developed and followed through on enterprise story and feature ideas
• Crafted monthly features for niche publication Lakeside Magazine
• Maintained clear communication with editors, photographers and other reporters

Copy Editor: The Collegian, Hillsdale, Mich.; Jan.-May 2008

• Edited copy for Focus, features and opinions sections for grammar, accuracy and AP style
• Mentored reporters through the steps of reporting and writing a story; helped with rewrites
• Helped support the launch of a robust, production-ready Web site
• Thoroughly covered hard news, sports, features and investigative stories
• Produced multimedia coverage of stories and packaged content for the Web
• Generated creative, engaging story and packaging ideas

Senior Reporter: Aug. 2007-Jan. 2008
Staff Reporter: Aug. 2006-May 2007
Freelancer: Aug. 2005-May 2006

INTERNSHIPS:
Staff Writer: Cybercast News Service, CNSNews.com, Alexandria, Va.; May-Aug. 2007

• Covered hard news and political stories, producing and pursuing my own story ideas
• Participated in investigative reporting with database construction and management
• Learned to work closely with a partner, dividing labor and sharing ideas

Marketing/Advertising Intern: FSBOzone.com, “The Best Place to Buy or Sell A Home,” Birmingham, Ala.; May-Aug. 2005

• Developed and carried out focused marketing campaigns
• Wrote concise, energetic text for brochures, flyers, postcards, sales materials and blogs
• Managed local and regional sales by building rapport with local press and associates

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich., May 2008
Major/Concentration: English/Journalism
Graduate of the Herbert H. Dow II Journalism Program

Dow Leadership Conference Center: Student Leadership Program, Jan. 2007

• Selected by administrators to participate in 58-hour executive leadership education course
• Conducted extensive self analysis including individualized consultation
• Engaged in team leadership development with projects based on group culture analysis and problem-solving

OTHER:
Finance Officer: Pi Beta Phi, Michigan Alpha Chapter, Hillsdale, Mich.; Jan. 2007-Jan.2008

• Served on Executive Committee consisting of 8 other members
• Managed a $200,000 budget
• Created and enforced budgets for other 8 officers
• Participated in weekly officer meetings to plan all-chapter meeting
• Responsible for the collective finances of 80 girls
• Paid household and other related bills in a timely manner
• Created and mailed invoices for membership dues each semester
• Educated members on financial obligations and financial etiquette
• Assisted in the planning of social and philanthropic events

Mentor: Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Oct. 2006-present

• Met weekly with little brother to hang out, talk and help him with homework
• Encouraged good behavior and reinforced polite conduct
• Assisted in planning and execution of social events

Participant: Hillsdale College Debate and Forensics; Aug. 2004-May 2007

• Researched for semester debate topics
• Traveled to other colleges for tournaments in parliamentary style debate
• Mentored debate students in research, writing cases and debate theory
• Competed in extemporaneous and impromptu speech events
• Attended week-long World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont, summer 2006