SUCHITHRA PILLAI

*** * ****** **** ****, Highlands Ranch, CO-80129 (H) 720-***-**** (C) 720-***-****

Professional Summary

Articulate reporter with 8 year record of commended performance as a staff reporter and editor for print and online editions of local daily newspapers and niche magazines. Experienced covering a broad range of news beats, and with both the editorial and production processes. Committed to deliver factual, concise and elegantly written pieces that inform and engage a wide range of audiences, while leveraging social media tools for the maximum reach.

Skills

•Sound editorial judgment

•Team leader and good management skills

•Strong writing and editing skills

•Knowledge of page layout & designing softwares:

CorelDraw

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Dreamweaver

QuarkXpress

•Knowledge of SEO best practices

•Fast learner

•Investigative skills

•Creative writing background

•Highly organized and research expert

•Fluent in English, Hindi, Malayalam

Work History

Content Contributor/Writer

Rocky Mountain Culture Magazine, Aurora, CO (04/2017 to present)

•Responsible for two beats – ‘Performing Arts & Culture’ and ‘People Profiles-Local Celebrity Spotlight’, right from sourcing new ideas, meeting new clients to interviewing them.

•Wrote, edited and coordinated for the layout of each submitted article as per AP style.

•Created content for its social media posts with apt keywords and Meta descriptions to generate better visibility and traffic

Freelance Writer

The Hindu, Kochi, India (12/2015 to 01/2017)

•Did research and churned out new interesting story ideas on wide range of beats like Arts, Science, Technology, Performing arts, People profiles, Lifestyle trends and Community issues.

•Wrote, edited and coordinated for the layout of all the submitted articles every week.

•Interviewed many versatile personalities, budding talents and was part of few path breaking stories too.

Special Correspondent

AOJ Media Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, India (11/2012 to 11/2015)

•Wrote, edited and produced stories for the main folios of the magazine including cover story, investigative reports and special features.

•Actively involved in creating the Tentative Editorial Schedule for each month and allocated assignments to the junior writers.

•Managed the team of junior writers and coordinated in creating a cohesive environment favorable for the mutual professional growth of each other.

Senior Reporter

Dainik Jagran - Bangalore, India (05/2011 to 10/2012)

•Served as head reporter; wrote, edited and had the final call on what will go page wise every week.

•Organized material, determined area of emphasis, and wrote stories and guided the team according to prescribed editorial style and format standard

•Won accolades for 'Best Investigative Feature Award' and 'Best Performer of the month'.

Senior Reporter cum Editor

The Edex Group of Publications - Kochi, India (07/2009 to 02/2011)

•Served as senior reporter for two of their publications - Technofirst and Career Direct.

•Followed through on beat sources, contacts and leads to gather information for stories and interviewed many top notch business leaders of the industry.

•Actively engaged in editing and designing process of both the print and web editions of the magazines.

•Spearheaded a special project for Govt. of India - Creative India; coordinated and edited one of the greatest compilations of independent innovators of India.

Reporter

The New Indian Express - Kochi, India (10/2008 to 07/ 2009)

•Covered different beats like civic, education, healthcare, lifestyle, and travel as a full-time general assignment reporter.

•Evaluated and followed up on news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.

•Provided complete, accurate and compelling coverage of both anticipated and spontaneous news.

Internships & Training

The Hindu & Times of India - Kerala, India Freelancer, 2016 & 2009

DNA - Mumbai, India Trainee Journalist, 2007-08

Indian Express - Mumbai, India Intern, 2005

Fulfilled multifaceted duties that included reporting, news/feature writing, researching, fact-checking, proofreading and page layout.

Special Interest

Writing poems and short stories

Education

Master of Arts, English Literature, 2010

Mumbai University, India

Bachelor of Mass Media, Journalism, 2007

Mumbai University, India

Contact this candidate