B

write2us@sbcglobal.net

arbara Schmitz
enish

(920) 235-0972: Home

(920) 237-9116: Cell
www.barbaraschmitz.weebly.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/barbara-benish/4/1b1/b40

Summary of Qualifications and Skills

30-plus years of experience in writing news and features for newspapers, magazines and the Internet
Able to create visually pleasing layouts and designs for newspapers and magazines
Ability to write to specific audiences efficiently and effectively
Organized, deadline-driven and able to multi-task
Comprehensive knowledge of AP and Chicago style and grammar
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe InDesign; knowledgeable in Photoshop and Dreamweaver
Experience in event planning, from sleepovers & spaghetti dinners for Girl Scouts, to organizing the first-ever Winnebago
Lakes conference, or annually organizing a high school journalism conference with about 40 sessions attended by 500

Experience

Freelance writer, editor and graphic designer, The Write Stuff, LLC
1994-present
Write features and news on trends and problems facing proprietary schools for Career Education Review, and help
create print and TV ads for proprietary schools for parent company Work Force Communications (1994-2014)
Write stories, edit copy, design pages for Wisconsin Game Warden Magazine, which is published by the Wisconsin
Conservation Warden Association to further conservation efforts within the state (1998-present)
Write features and news stories for EAAs Young Eagles website (2007-March 2012) and AirVenture Today, a daily
newspaper printed on the grounds of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in and convention (1994-present)
Have written news, features, business profiles, investigative reports and various other stories for a variety of other
publications, such as AOPAs AV8RS newsletter, Sky Magazine, Wisconsin Outdoor Journal, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
the Oshkosh Chambers NewsWave Magazine, Marketplace Magazine, Fox Cities KIDS, and others.

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI

Adjunct Faculty and Internship Coordinator
1994-present

Teach a variety at courses in the Journalism Department, depending on need, including:

* Writing for the Media
* Principles of Advertising

* Professional Journalism Internship

* Advertising Copy, Layout & Production
* Editing

Organize mock interviews each semester between students and journalism professionals

Assist students with resumes, cover letters and more as they apply for internships or jobs
Executive Secretary, NEWSPA

2007-present
Plan and execute annual high school journalism conference, which features nearly 40 sessions
conducted by professional journalists and teachers
Oversee annual contest for high school yearbooks, newspapers and websites
Assign stories, edit, and provide oversight for three newsletters produced annually
Update NEWSPA website, Facebook page and Twitter to keep members informed
The Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI
City Editor

Assigned stories for 16-person staff, edited copy for AP Style, grammar and content, and
worked closely with reporters on in-depth projects
Coordinated coverage between local, regional and feature desks
Oversaw newspaper pagination and production

1991-1994

Reporter & Assistant City Editor

1985-1991
Reported on city, county, state and national government activities
Named assistant city editor in 1988; duties included designing and paginating daily pages, assigning and
editing stories, and supervising staff