DAWN WILL

Burnsville, MN 55337

DawnerdWill@gmail.com

PROFILE
Self-professed nerd who enjoys learning, helping and communicating with others, uses PR expertise and knack for investigational research, writing, social media, technology, web development to communicate and help individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations get to the next step. PR / Marketing Technical Writer / Copy Writer / Communications Specialist News Reporter Website Maintenance Proofreader Digital Photographer Digital Page Layout Worker Project Coordinator Customer Service Representative

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Public Relations Certificate Anticipated Graduation March, 2014 Takoda Institute, Minneapolis, MN Significant Courses: Graphic Design I, II, Social Media, Internet Programs, Public Relations Writing Relevant Projects: Created a Weebly website, brochure using Photoshop and InDesign, wrote press releases Advanced Social Media Certificate Anticipated Graduation February, 2014 Takoda Institute, Minneapolis, MN Social Media studied: about.me, LinkedIn, Facebook, WordPress, Jing, Twitter, Weebly, Prezi, Pinterest, Delicious, Tumblr, Blogger, Snoox, Plaxo, Ning, Meetup, YouTube Minnesota Women in Marketing and Communications Student Member Competent Leader Award, Toastmasters International Competent Communicator Award, Toastmasters International Bachelor of Science Print Journalism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude Psychology; Minor: Technical Writing, Minnesota State University, Mankato 2013 Present 2009 2009 2002 1996

TECHNOLOGY
Windows and Mac OS: Microsoft Office Suite: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook Creative Suite 5: Photoshop, Bridge, InDesign, Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat Pro WordPress, HTML, CSS

PUBLIC RELATIONS-RELATED EXPERIENCE

Freelance Communications Assistant, Burnsville, MN 2013 Present Key roles: Project Coordinator, Proofreader, PR / Marketing Communications Specialist Provide direction and tasks to achieve next step in business goals. Follow up on prior tasks to ensure movement in business goals. Proofread all text to ensure grammatical and AP style is maintained. Assist with new projects such as creating a new website, working on social media goals and gaining new clients.

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Toastmasters International, Nicollet Speech Builders, Burnsville, MN 2008 2009 Title: Vice President of Public Relations Key roles: PR / Marketing Communications Specialist, Website maintenance Recognition: Nicollet Speech Builders Toastmaster of the Year 2008 2009, District 6 Toastmasters 2009 Public Relations Contest: 2nd Place: Newsletter Prepared and distributed press releases to the media. Originated, created, prepared and edited the groups member newsletter. Represented the group at the Minnesota State Fair. Maintained and updated website using html and website-specific programs. Wrote, designed and edited web page content. Identified computer code problems through testing or through user feedback. Corrected problems. Farm Show Magazine, Lakeville, Minnesota 2004 2006 Key roles: News Reporter, Copy Writer, Digital Photographer, Proofreader, Digital Page Layout Worker Title: Associate Editor Accomplishment: Created the Farm Show Magazine style guide. Gathered information from various web sites, magazines and newspapers as possible story leads. Managed up to 15 stories, in various stages of reporting process, simultaneously ensuring completion by deadline. Investigated story ideas, interviewed people, determined focus and wrote stories. Documented details and story requirements; verified information via e-mail and phone. Reviewed photos, selected, edited and enhanced digital images by cropping and making adjustments to the color and contrast. Read copy, consulted reference books for rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling and corrected errors. Used InDesign to lay out camera-ready copy.

OTHER WORK HISTORY

Northern Tool + Equipment, Burnsville, Minnesota 2010 2012 Title: Call Center Customer Service Representative Accomplishments: Provided input to new Customer Service Orientation Manual, Regularly provided updated information to CMS which helped company representatives assist customers using up-to-date company best practices; Promoted to Parts & Sales, Backup; Email Support using LivePerson (CMS) DHL Global Forwarding, Eagan, Minnesota Key role: Customer Service Title: International Air Export Agent Aerotek & Spherion, Bloomington & Burnsville, Minnesota Key role: Technical Writer Title: Independent Air Export Specialist Kinkos Inc., Twin Cities, Minnesota Key roles: Project Coordinator, Digital Page Layout Worker, Proofreader, Customer Service Lakeshore Weekly News, Sun Sailor Newspapers, Eden Prairie, MN Key roles: City Council and School Board News Reporter Accomplishment: Wrote most of the articles in the Lakeshore Weekly News 69th Annual Hopkins Raspberry Festival insert. 2007 2009

2006 2007