CV

(Click here for a printable pdf)

Christina McDonald-Legg

christinamac79 [at] gmail.com

 

OBJECTIVE

To advance further in my writing career while utilising my skills in organisation and creativity.

 

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

• Wrote and published travel book (Avalon Publishing).

• Co-edited and coordinated academic book for European Union project.

• Experience writing and editing content for publication across variety of media platforms.

• Experience writing in variety of styles for range of audiences.

• Experience editing and producing websites, newspapers, magazines, newsletters and books.

• Ability to source and publish stories from any angle while building relationships and contacts.

• Provided concise, accurate, and gripping stories for print and online media.

• Ability to interview and question sources using various interview techniques.

• Fundamental knowledge of .html writing, SEO and content management systems.

• Knowledge of Dreamweaver, MS Office, Photoshop and Quark.

 

CAREER HISTORY:

3/11 – Current, Author, Avalon Publishing, Moon Living Abroad Ireland

• Writing in-depth book about how to move toIrelandand what to do once you get there.

• Research up-to-date laws, immigrations information, and information for audience.

• Experienced with all stages of production, from conception to design and production.

 

9/09 – Current, Freelance Content Writer, Demand Studios, Seattle

• Write content articles about range of topics for use on USAToday.com, livestrong.com and other websites.

• Responsible for search engine optimisation (SEO) in content for site.

 

11/06 – 8/08, Content Writer, Expedia.com, London

• Wrote content articles about travel destinations, airport information and hotels for use on website.

• Responsible for search engine optimisation (SEO) in content for site.

• Edited images for uploading onto site, edited captions and content.

 

5/05 – 12/06, Writer/Communications Specialist, Community Knowledge Initiative, NUI Galway

• Worked as writer and editor for community project based within leading university.

• Sourced and investigated story ideas, interviewed sources, and wrote articles.

• Edited, wrote, and approved all content for the project’s publications, websites, and press.

• Designed, laid out, produced, and published magazines, newsletters and academic books.

• Managed all content for use across a range of print and online formats and ensured all materials reflected the brand appropriately and accurately.

• Maintained and wrote website using content management systems and .html, as well as produced podcasts for publication on the website.

• Managed projects for widening scope and perception of the CKI.

 

1/04 – 10/06, Journalist (Freelance), Galway City Tribune and Connacht Tribune

• Pitched stories as well as received calls asking me to write up articles for news, features, advertorials and editorials.

• Wrote features for newspaper’s weekly magazines about health, beauty, lifestyle, weddings, community and travel.

• Researched information, interviewed sources and wrote articles, turning in before deadline.

 

5/06 – 8/06, Health Columnist (Freelance), Galway Independent

• Found sources, interviewed contacts, researched health information and wrote articles on health issues in the city ofGalway.

 

9/04 – 4/05, News Reporter, Beacon Hill News, Seattle

• Wrote on and off-diary stories for weekly publication, including attending launches and events, researching and interviewing.

 

5/04 – 6/04, Journalist, Sunday Times, Dublin

• Worked as a Journalist after receiving an MA degree in Journalism.

• Sourced and investigated story ideas, interviewed various sources, researched stories and wrote articles for publication.

 

8/02 – 8/03, Production Assistant/Audio Engineer, Atari Entertainment, Seattle

• Worked in the gaming industry in production and design prior to receiving my MA in Journalism.

• Designed sound for games using Cool Edit Pro and recording studio.

• Coordinated administrative duties, including contracts for voice talent.

 

12/00 – 6/01, Production Assistant Intern, Komo 4 TV, Northwest Afternoon, Seattle

• Worked in broadcast as an intern during my undergraduate degree in Communications.

• Edited and cut scenes onto beta tapes, researched information, wrote and distributed scripts.

 

EDUCATION:

2003 – 2004, Masters Degree, Journalism, National University of Ireland, Galway

Studied print and broadcast journalism, proofreading, shorthand, media history, media law, Quark and Photoshop. Learned news and feature writing for print and broadcast.

 

1997 – 2001, BA Degree, Communications, University of Washington, Seattle

Studied media law, media history, politics, advertising, history of media and politics.

 

 

SKILLS SET:

WRITING SKILLS

  • Sourcing and publishing news from any angle
  • Investigating and writing stories
  • Finding news angles for target audiences
  • Experience with variety of interview techniques
  • Writing advertorials, editorials, features and news
  • Writing compelling copy to sell products and info.
  • Using words in imaginative way

 

EDITORIAL and PRODUCTION SKILLS

  • Editing, proofreading and sub-editing
  • Producing newsletters and magazines
  • Budgetary control for publishing
  • Developing and assigning interesting stories
  • Writing tag lines and copywriting
  • Conducting on-camera and radio interviews
  • Writing weekly editorials
  • Ability to use bothUKand US spelling, grammar, and terminology

 

COMPUTER and TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • MS Office
  • Dreamweaver
  • Quark Xpress
  • Photoshop
  • Cool Edit Pro and Sound Forge
  • Creating and producing podcasts
  • Content management systems such as WordPress and some html
  • SEO
  • Experience with photography

 

TRAINING

  • Certificate in Dreamweaver
  • Certificate in Quark Xpress
  • Certificate in Photoshop
  • Member of NationalUnionof Journalists

 

 

PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Date of Birth: 13 May 1979

• Place of Birth:Seattle,WA

• Citizenship: American

• Visa Status:UKspouse visa

• Sex: Female

 

PUBLICATIONS

• Moon Living Abroad inIreland, by Christina McDonald-Legg

• The Challenge of eCompetence in Academic Staff Development, Editors: Mac Labhrainn,I., McDonald-Legg, C., Schneckenberg, D., Wildt, J.

• Handbook of Enquiry and Problem-based learning: Irish Case Studies and International Perspectives, Proofreader: Christina McDonald-Legg

 

INTERESTS

When not busy writing, I like to spend my time with friends and family, reading, working out at the gym, and traveling with my husband, Richard, and our young son, Adam.