Resume/Professional Statement

For some time, I have been preparing, both academically and personally, to work in the professional writing and editing field. I have written and edited countless documents and have spent a large amount of time perfecting drafting and revising techniques that allow these documents to reach a certain audience or fulfill a certain purpose. I have also spent a lot of time considering how I would personally fit into the field. I am confident that this preparation will allow me to transition smoothly into a professional position.

I am a 2009 graduate of West Virginia University. I have a B.A. in English, with a concentration in professional/technical writing and editing. Academically, I have had a wide range of training in producing various types of writing. I have learned the necessary nuances, such as document usability and clear communication, to achieve a set goal when writing for the technical field. I have learned the importance of conciseness and purpose that is so important in business writing. I have also learned research techniques and the importance of credibility and ethics while perfecting academic writing.

I have used this knowledge to excel at my internship by applying what I have learned. I used my research and technical skills to edit web content, focused on style and organization to produce a personnel manual and applied design principles to create a planned giving pamphlet. I have also written numerous types of documents in most all of my positions. I can work well independently, as well as with others, to produce quality work.

I also have a strong educational foundation in design. Before choosing English as my major, I studied interior design for three years. Having a background in a technical design field really gives me a unique outlook when writing. I strive for perfection, and believe that good design, when applied to anything, is very important. My design (as well as writing) strengths were recognized when I won WVU’s Professional Writing and Editing Student Poster Presentation. I believe that when good design is applied to a document, it is more usable, and therefore succeeds in its purpose.

Personally, I believe that writing is the field in which I belong, and have had a strong desire for many years to establish myself in the field. I believe that my personality is extremely adaptable, and can contend with the many different genres of writing available. Although I can work independently and find information that I need, I am also inquisitive and understand that asking questions is also an important step in getting things done. I have excelled in writing within various genres because of my personality. I enjoy both a challenge and the mundane, and I am an eager to approach different types of writings. I rely on my training, knowledge and positive attitude to produce a document that succeeds.

Writing is an important part of life. Many people (“non-writers”) take it for granted that things are just written well, and by anyone. I appreciate great writing, and I understand that it takes hard work and an understanding of so many different things. Documents serve a purpose, and that is to get information to the reader in the best, most direct way possible. Documents must be easy to read and understand. Documents must also look good, and target a specific audience. Through my educational background, personality and experience, I believe that I can produce documents that allow all of these things to occur.