Manager Assistant

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, GPA: 3.6/4.0

Bachelor of Arts - Communication, Minor in Architectural Studies

May 2010

Professional Experience

Jasculca/Terman & Associates

Chicago, IL

Pulbic Affairs Account Assistant

May 2010 - Present

. Compose and distribute press releases, media advisories and calendar

items for a wide variety of government, corporate and not for profit

clients including Joyce Foundation and University of Chicago Medical

Center

. Pitch events and potential stories to local media and trade outlets

with placement in Brighton Park News, Southwest News Herald, Chicago

Journal and several community newsletters

. Conduct research and media monitoring for the Chicago Metropolitan

Agency for Planning

. Use new media strategy to manage Twitter and Facebook accounts for

clients

. Organized event management and logistics for client events

. Use Filemaker and Media Atlas to update and maintain database of

media contacts

. Attend new media training sessions on web development, social media

tools and content strategy

Illini Media:

Champaign, IL

News Staff Writer for The Daily Illini

August 2009 - May 2010

. Wrote campus-related stories on health and academic topics

. Completed intensive training course on journalistic style and

reporting skills

. Served as an on-call reporter that responded to breaking news on

tight deadlines

Daytime Assignment Editor

January 2010 - May 2010

. Supervised newsroom activity including managing breaking news and

assigning deadlines to on-call reporters

. Oversaw daytime online coverage by conducting edits and fact checks

on articles and posting to the website

The Joint Commission:

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Media Relations Intern

Summer 2009

. Wrote press releases to publicize new company initiatives

. Built media contact lists of 250 + people from local, national and

online publications

. Compiled media reports for use by media relations manager

. Posted health-related media clips to company website

Proteus Group:

Chicago, IL

Intern Architect

Summer 2007

. Assisted principal architects and graphic designers with creating

floor plans and developing client presentations

. Used Photoshop to create pamphlet of colored floor plan renderings

for distribution to potential clients

Achievements

National Scholars Honors Society - University of Illinois

Deans List - University of Illinois

Departmental

Distinction in Communication - University of Illinois

Illini Public Relations Association - Campaign Leader for

Fleishman-Hillard account

Lambda Pi Eta National Honors Society for Communication students

Sinai Scholars Society Fellowship,

University of Illinois Chabad

Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Publicity Chair 2007

Computer Skills

Proficient in Vocus PR Software, Filemaker, Drupal, social media,

Photoshop, InCopy, Microsoft Office, PR Newswire

MELISSA C. Elegant

*******.*******@*****.***

1386 Meadow Lane [MCE]

M: 847-***-**** Deerfield, IL 60015

H: 847-***-****

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