Resume

Sarah Wilson

662-242-1764

Email: sarahashleywilson@gmail.com

Qualities: Versatile, organized, motivated. Resourceful and creative. Committed to accuracy.

Background: Do-it-all journalist with proven record producing engaging stories, compelling pictures and lively layouts on deadline. Talented networker. Dedicated team player.

• Editor-in-Chief, The Mena Star, Mena, Ark. August 2015- Current.

Covered all areas and aspects of the City of Mena and Polk County to produce a weekly multi-section broadsheet newspaper as well as regular promotion tabs. Doubled the number of online social media fans and website views by engaging internet viewers daily. Managed two reporters, one intern and a dozen contributors and columnists while also developing the bulk of the published photos and articles. Designed and paginated all published newspapers and associated special sections.

• Reporter, The Daily Star, Hammond, La., August 2013- August 2015.

Reported on government, business, economic development, community and features for the City of Hammond and Tangipahoa Parish. Shot photos daily for printed and digital content, including advertising. Organized and produced editorial content and art for special sections. When editors were unavailable, ordered pages, layouts and fulfilled their various duties. Contributed to the company website, text alert system and social media outlets. Shot videos.

• Lifestyles Editor, The Columbus Packet, Columbus, Miss., June 2011- February 2013. (Laid off amid publication’s financial crisis.)

Single-handedly conceptualized, wrote, edited and designed a new weekly features section, resulting in 10 percent rise in readership and increased ad revenue. Recruited and guided columnists as section expanded. Also reported stories and shot photos for news section. Managed the company website and social media outlets.

• Reporter, The Commercial Dispatch, Columbus, Miss., August 2006-June 2011.

Covered education, news and community events. Wrote and took pictures for special sections and magazines. Shot footage for website.

Education

• Mississippi University for Women. Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication/ Journalism, May 2010.
• Long Beach High School. Graduated with Honors, 2006.

Awards

• First place, Spot News, Mississippi/ Louisiana Associated Press Media Editors Journalism Excellence Awards (2015).
• Second place, Best Business coverage, Louisiana/ Mississippi Associated Press Media Editors Journalism Excellence Awards (2015).
• First place, Best Election Coverage, Southeastern Journalism Conference, Regional Collegiate Competition (2009).
• First place, Best Investigative News Reporting, Mississippi Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, senior college division (2008).

Advanced Skills

• InDesign,Quark, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, WordPress and NewsEditPro. Well-versed in AP Style.
• Photography. High quality images and videos shot with personal Nikon D5000.

Additional Interests

• Reading, Taekwondo, SCUBA diving, vlogging and roller derby.