Amy Catchpole

Curriculum Vitae Secondary Education The Wykeham Collegiate, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal. Matriculated 1999. C-Aggregate Subjects: English, Afrikaans, Biology, Art (drawing & photography), Geography, Home Economics. School Activities Member of School Canoe Team English and Afrikaans Olympiads Book Readathons Tertiary Education NOSA Agricultural Services September 2018 – February 2019 Certificate in Farm Management and Planning: Modules completed: Marketing, Farm Accounts, Farm Budgets, Farm Planning. Certificate in Animal Production. Modules completed: Animal Structure and Function, Feeds and feeding, Animal Health, Calf Rearing, Beef Production, Pig Production, Poultry Production, Veld and Pastures. CityVarsity School of Media and Creative Arts February 2006 - December 2007 Professional Photography Diploma, specialising in Journalistic Photography. (Distinction) University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus February 2003 - November 2005 BA Degree in Media and Communications, specialising in Journalistic Writing. Employment History Self Employed Date: April 2015 – Present Job Description: Freelance writer, editor, proofreader, and SEO specialist. I write content for a variety of publications and in many niches, including SEO-based blog articles and website copy, and print copy for various clients. Niches I have experience writing in include technology, fashion, food and drink, home and garden, travel and outdoors, automotive, finance, and more. I also edit and proofread all kinds of content, including medical articles, technical documents, website copy, blog posts, and books. I have also run my own farming venture during this time (see Fever Tree Farm below). As a freelancer, I have done contract work for a number of companies, including Confab Digital Agency, Durban; Durability Matters, Slovenia; and Glass.io and Aluminum Inc, USA. The work ranges from content writing and editing (Google Docs, Grammarly, Copyscape) to SEO content creation (Surfer SEO, Ahrefs), content management (WordPress, Contentful), keyword analysis (Ahrefs, Google Search Console, Google Analytics), and using AI to streamline processes. Fever Tree Farm Date: April 2015 – July 2023 Job Description: Farm owner and supervisor. Production of free-range beef, chicken, lamb, and pork (including biosecurity, feed sourcing, animal health maintenance), daily management of staff and animals, business finances and records, sales and marketing of all products, client communications. Johans Borman Fine Art Date: February 2009 – March 2015 Job Description: Manageress, Executive Assistant, PR, and secretarial (client communications, front desk, invoicing, emailing, filing [Microsoft Office], database development and maintenance [Microsoft Access, Maximizer CRM]), shipping and logistics, photography, colour editing (Photoshop, Lightroom), catalogue and advertisement design (InDesign, Illustrator), social media presence (Facebook), proofreading and editing gallery catalogues and articles, IT (software installations and maintenance, basic repairs and upgrades), website maintenance and updates (Tank, Wordpress), bulk mailing and client database maintenance. Amy Catchpole Photography Date: 2007 – 2009 Job Description: Wedding Photography, photo editing, creation of attractive wedding packages. Client management – bookings, time management, extra requirements of overseas clients, quick turnaround time. Achievements 2020: I was accepted into an Australian University to study conservation, but was prevented from going when the pandemic began. 2018: I completed my Farm Management and Animal Production Certificates in 5 months with commendation and full marks in every module (12 modules). 2015: I started my own farming business with minimal capital and staff, and ran it for 8 years. 2009: I started work at Johans Borman Fine Art after his previous manageress had left, and learned the workings of the gallery with no assistance. 2007: I completed my Professional Photography Diploma with Distinction. 2007: I completed a one-day Wildlife, Landscape, and Nature Workshop with David Rogers 2007: I spent two weeks at Getaway Magazine for work experience. 2006: I gained a bursary from the Foschini Group for my second year at CityVarsity, due to good marks. 2006: I completed the first year of my Professional Photography Diploma with excellent results. 2005: I completed my BA Degree in Media and Communications with good results. 2004: I gained extra credits towards my degree by completing two extra subjects per semester. 2000: I did a week’s work experience each at The Kokstad Advertiser and The Natal Witness as a temp journalist. 1999: I matriculated from The Wykeham Collegiate, despite numerous dramatic, life-changing occurrences during my high school years, including the murder of my father. 1998: I completed two non-certificate photography courses with Bruce Mortimer, Kloof, KZN. Interests I am a lover of the English language, and I have a solid interest in history and archaeology. I love being in nature, and am an avid bird watcher and wildlife photographer. I enjoy horse-back riding, and am very adventurous when it comes to animals and the outdoors. I love to travel, and experience as much of the world as possible, and I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life. I also enjoy computer gaming and on-screen entertainment, and have a strong “geek” side to me. Skills I am highly computer literate, and proficient in Microsoft Office, with the ability to learn new computer skills quickly. I have basic skills in business management, graphic design (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), web design (WordPress) and social media advertising (Facebook). I have knowledge and experience in office management, the hospitality industry, journalism and communications, writing, editing, and proof reading, photography (wedding, journalism, wildlife, landscape, fine art), and colour correction. Personal Skills I am a motivated individual who works well under pressure. I am honest and hard working, as well as a fast learner. I am always looking for new ways to enhance my existing skills, and to learn new ones. Through my various work situations, I have gained self confidence, the ability to communicate well with people, a professional work ethic, strong attention to detail, and a great concern for customer service. I am confident working on my own, and yet I find it inspiring working in a team. I have worked for people, and I have managed people, and I find I am able to adapt myself to either circumstance. I am a sponge for general knowledge, as well as any subject that interests me, including science, history, and nature, and I try to use this in any job or business I am involved in, to improve my work. I like to use every aspect of life to add to my knowledge of the world.