Melanie Hess

MELANIE HESS --www.melaniehesstx.com "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."-Maya Angelo PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY I am an experienced writer and editor, who is efficient and effective. My strong and diverse background in writing and editing includes the development/ refining of material for a wide range of audiences and platforms. My natural sense of curiosity makes me a top-notch researcher, and I am an expert at taking technical facts and making them engaging for the general public. Having worked with a large variety of clients, including everything from large corporations to nonprofits and small businesses, I have become a superstar at adapting to many different company voices, regulations and cultures. EDUCATION Texas Tech University Master of Arts, 2012 Texas Tech University Bachelor of Arts, 2010 Major: Public Relations WORK EXPERIENCE Freelance Writer/Editor (Part-Time/Full-Time) MH Creative, Nov. 2014 - Present ⬗ Creating SEO-friendly blog content related to finance, health/safety, and small business ⬗ Writing and developing news and feature stories for various magazines ⬗ Crafting website content, navigating WordPress and similar systems ⬗ Proofreading and editing content ⬗ Developing executive bios, emails, investor reports and newsletters ⬗ Collaborating with designers, production and client employees Teacher (Journalism+Yearbook/ELAR) Dallas Area Middle and High Schools, July 2015-June 2019 ⬗ Spearheaded the establishment/publication of student-produced news outlets ⬗ Published an online newspaper with student content using SNO ⬗ Supplemented or taught reading language arts coursework for majority ELL population ⬗ Prepared students for UIL competitions and facilitated intra-district travel ⬗ Introduced students to design basics and Adobe Creative Suite work ⬗ Led the creation and design of student yearbook ⬗ Updated internal student and staff announcement websites Public Relations Associate Collin College, Nov.2012-Oct.2014 ⬗ Developed and wrote feature stories for various web and print publications ⬗ Interviewed individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds ⬗ Produced press releases, advisories and pitches ⬗ Served as liaison between clients/project manager for public relations department ⬗ Research, began and regularly implemented school’s social media ⬗ Crafted content for speeches, emails, newsletters, videos and other promotions Copywriter (Contract) JCPenny, Sept.2012-Nov. 2012 ⬗ Created online marketing copy ⬗ Worked with search engine optimization ⬗ Balanced multiple projects and adhered to legal requirements Melanie Hess-Resume Cont’d Writing/Media Relations Graduate Assistant Texas Tech University Communications and Marketing , June 2011-May 2012 ⬗ Produced more than 150 feature stories, releases, pitches and advisories for the TTU System ⬗ Translated research and academic content to copy relevant for the average reader ⬗ Generated local, regional and national media attention ⬗ Conducted interviews with students, professors, alumni and administration Student Disabilities Tutor Texas Tech University, Aug 2009 – May 2011 ⬗ Tutored students with learning disabilities in all subjects ⬗ Advised students on course and degree program selection ⬗ Taught and reinforced study skills, time management and positive life skills ⬗ Worked to identify motivation and learning styles of individual students ⬗ Engaged in training and certification regarding disabilities RELEVANT INTERNSHIPS KTXT-TV aka PBS (2009) Development/Marketing Intern American Red Cross Dallas-Fort Worth (2010) Communications/Marketing Intern Court Appointed Special Advocates (Fall 2010) Account Manager for marketing research+campaign as part of a semester-long capstone course SKILLS WordPress SEO Interviewing Microsoft Office Suite Associated Press Style Adobe Creative Suite ASL(Intermediate) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Mercy Street (Jan.2013 - Present) West Dallas faith-based mentorship ministry I started with my student when she was in 5th grade. She is nearly 17 now and will graduate high school in roughly 18 months. G Suite