JOSHUA K. CONNELLY

Professional statement

 

As a standout senior at Saint Louis University, with a 3.5 GPA and anticipated B.A. in communication with a minor in political journalism, I have two years experience as a published writer. Through my work as a head writer and lead reporter for The Sports Quotient and as a copy editor for The University News, I have gained experience in both online and print journalism, an important dichotomy for any journalist. I was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and its website, STLtoday.com, in October 2014. My excellent writing, grammar and communication skills have helped me develop and maintain relationships with colleagues and administrators at each organization. I am looking to secure a writing or editing position at a media organization, to which I can bring my established skill set and refine it further.

Work experience

 

Copy editor, The University News

September 2014 – present

 

As a copy editor, it is my responsibility to check articles for spelling and grammar errors before weekly publication. I will edit articles for space, when necessary, write headlines and subheads and review final page layouts before they are sent to the printer. I also sit on the paper's editorial board and assist in generating topics for weekly staff editorials. On occasion, I will also write articles for the News, Sports, Arts and Opinion sections of the paper.

 

 

NFL Head Writer, The Sports Quotient

NFL Lead Reporter, The Sports Quotient

July 2014 – present

 

As the head NFL writer for The Sports Quotient, I ensure that the other NFL weekly writers are posting regularly and on time. I also suggest story ideas and make sure that each NFL team is getting coverage. I also spearhead article series for special NFL events, conduct writer performance reviews and help hire new writers. I also write my own NFL articles at least once per month, often more regularly.

 

As the site's lead NFL reporter, I make sure that the other NFL reporters are meeting weekly post quotas. I also divvy up breaking news coverage to various reporters, make sure that game recaps are covered, conduct reporter performance reviews and help hire new reporters. I will also write posts when other reporters are unavailable to do so.

 

NFL columnist, The Sports Quotient

NFL reporter, The Sports Quotient

May 2013 – July 2014

 

Before I was promoted to NFL Head Writer and NFL Lead Reporter, I was an NFL columnist and wrote two articles per week about the NFL. During the 2014 regular season, I wrote weekly preview columns, highlighting important games and making picks. I have also participated in two 10-week NFL Draft preview series - leading up to the 2014 and 2015 NFL Drafts - where I analyzed a new prospect each week. In March 2014, I had the opportunity to conduct an interview through the site with Team USA Bobsledding and Skeleton Communication Director Amanda Bird.

 

As a reporter, I covered various aspects of the NFL, including injury reports, game recaps and breaking news. I was also a beat reporter for the Indianapolis Colts, so many of my articles were related to them.

 

Athletic Department event staff, Saint Louis University

August 2012 – May 2015

 

I worked in the SLU Athletic Department as my Federal-Work-Study job for my first three years of college. For two years, I was one of the announcers for the softball team, and I occasionally subbed in that role for the baseball team. I also helped run in-game promotions for the men's and women's basketball teams for all three years, including organizing the half-court "Shot for Cash" at every home game. I was also a ball boy for soccer, volleyball and field hockey games on occasion.

Skills

 

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Apple Creativity Apps

Apple Productivity Apps

Digital photography

Digital video

Final Cut Pro

Microsoft Office

Wix

WordPress