Freelance Writer Loyola University
Resume:
K
KAREN A.
KERBIS
KARENKNN@GMAIL.C
OM
GLENVIEW, IL 60026
SUMMARY
Does my resume bring a split-personality to mind?
You're not wrong, and I'm not dangerous.
To make a very long story short (or at least shorter), in 2015 I was working as a Gangs Prosecutor in Chicago. I'd tried hundreds of felonies to verdict and directed countless Gang investigations. One night, while channel-surfing, I stopped at a telenovela (Spanish-language melodramas) where it seemed to me that a baby had organized its own kidnapping. I was hooked, stuck with it even though I did not speak Spanish, and began writing daily summaries of whatever novela I was watching, with the caveat that I didn't speak Spanish yet, but was trying to learn from the telenovelas. I wrote these summaries under the pseudonym La Gringa Novelera. I developed a unique way of capturing the novelas and soon, novela writers shared and followed the blog, and my summaries became a fan favorite. I wrote articles about telenovelas for two magazines about learning Spanish from telenovelas. I interviewed novela stars for publications focusing on Latino life in the USA, and even landed a role as an extra in a telenovela. I've written a pilot script with a television producer based in part on my experience, and there's a documentary about me premiering in Chicago on September 20. I have had memoir pieces published in two literary journals.
I started all of this from a Facebook Page, with no followers, while I was working as a Gangs Prosecutor. And I grew it into a dream-come-true, with thousands of Followers on social media. And I know that "thousands" is not a lot in the world of social media, but I grew all of this from nothing, and was only able to make it all happen because of what I wrote, and how I wrote it. Thank you!
SKILLS
Copywriting, editing, and review
Spanish-language television genre
experience
Grammar skills
Promotional marketing and advertising
Content development
Excellent interpersonal
communications
Social media proficiency
Consistent brand messaging
Organization
Multitasking
People skills
Flexible
Proofreading
Technical writing
Website copy
Research skills
Public performance experience
Theme development
Active listening
Conflict resolution
EXPERIENCE
Writer/Social Media Content Creator
Chicago, IL
Self Employed Writer/ Jun 2015 to Current
Managed all aspects of copy review and editing, including guidance and oversight of production.
Wrote articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
Applied strong writing, editing and proofreading abilities to each assignment to produce best possible content.
Delivered high-quality, insightful, informative and entertaining written content while meeting tight deadlines.
Edited documents for grammar, clarity, content and formatting. Completed writing assignments according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style and terminology.
Edited and proofread content to verify proper grammar, quality and consistency with AP style.
Proofread materials created by other writers to identify spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes.
Used organized approach to manage different deadlines. Arranged for publication, printing and distribution of writing. Selected various graphics to accompany written material. Interviewed contacts by phone, Skype and in person for human nature stories for weekly newspaper column.
Increased followers of social media accounts by 100% through avid play-by-play reporting and posting.
Attorney
Chicago, IL
Cook County State's Attorney's Office/ May 1995 to Oct 2018 Prepared and organized evidence and exhibits to be utilized in court hearings and trials.
Conducted legal research and facts investigation for case litigation. Interviewed and prepared witnesses for felony cases. Developed detailed litigation strategies for Gangs cases. Cross-examined witnesses during testimonies to build and reinforce legal arguments. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
J.D
Loyola University School of Law Jan 1985
B.A.
University of Illinois Jan 1982
Chicago
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Chicago Crime Stopper Awards in 2014 and 2016, for Excellence in Law Enforcement and Public Service Lecturer in Trial Advocacy
(Illinois State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor) Lecturer in Gang Crime Investigations
(University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy)
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