blakeellison

blake ellison

a professional-looking resume page

Not your ordinary education:

B.A., Plan II, Univ. of Texas, 2007

University Honors
Phi Beta Kappa
Plan II Special Honors

Plan II, one of UT’s most selective programs, is a four-year interdisciplinary arts and sciences major taught by the University’s most distinguished faculty. Students are given a very intense, broad education on topics ranging from Greek philosophy and world literature to quantum mechanics and DNA research. The program culminates in a mandatory senior year thesis.
Senior thesis, The Academic Study of Video Games, awarded highest marks possible and Plan II Special Honors for extended length and graduate-style defense.
Cumulative GPA: 3.80

Running away from home:

International experience

Additional major in Japanese. Skills include advanced (JLPT level II) reading, writing, speaking and listening. Extensive travel and cultural experience in Japan.
Spanish minor completed at University of Cantabria in Santander, Spain. Lived with host family for 6 weeks. Acquired skills include complete literacy and spoken fluency in Castillian Spanish.

Welcoming the Real World with open arms (or, work experience):

Freelance journalism

Aug. 2008 - Present

Feature articles and daily news pieces for online outlets covering technology and video game news.
JET Programme
English Instructor, Aug. 2007 - Aug. 2008
A highly selective international coalition, the JET Programme brings thousands of highly qualified foreign travelers from all over the world to Japan to teach English and work in international relations alongside full-time native Japanese workers. JET Programme members predominantly work in rural Japan, exposing them to traditional Japanese lifestyles and values not commonly understood by expatriates confined to metropolitan lifestyles.
Responsibilities included English instruction at Kawamoto Junior High School in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, in addition to special needs instruction and evening classes serving the community of Kawamoto.
Acquired skills:
Throwing lots of parties (or, event planning experience)
Profile event: Clash of the Heroes, April 2007
A trend-setting tournament for rock-star simulator video game Guitar Hero, held on-stage at the legendary Austin, TX rock venue Stubb’s BBQ. Sponsored by Red Bull, Microsoft, and Activision.
Managed all aspects of event including sponsor relations, attendee/RSVP management, financials, tournament management, layout and A/V setup.
Fearless leadership
President, Texas Gaming Association @ UT Austin
Vice-President, Japanese Association @ UT Austin
Knows how to make friends (or, partnership relations experience)
Both clubs above partnered with local and global businesses.
Computer skills like a spy movie
Extremely high computer proficiency in Windows, Mac and Linux
Fluent in geek-speak
Proficient in web site creation and computer hardware
Writing portfolio
Global Growing Pains
Feature article for video game magazine The Escapist examining the plight of an American gamer who went to Japan to track down a cultural Mecca. Read
The Men's Cooking Club Influence
A true story of life, old men, and food in rural Japan. Read
The Academic Study of Video Games
My senior thesis for the Plan II program spans 60 pages and proposes the need and ideal methods for the study of video games in a university environment. I assert that video games are an emerging art form and establish the conventions for video game appreciation in a manner similar to visual art, music, or film. The thesis garnered the highest possible marks as well as Plan II Special Honors for its length and a graduate-school-style defense. Read (PDF)

Trivia

Holds a black belt in ju-jitsu
Has sung in Carnegie Hall
Considers a photograph of a squirrel to be his best shot ever