Resume
Sandra M. Whitaker
10605 Fournier Dr.
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
703.915.3649 - swhitak3@gmail.com
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communications, Concentration in Broadcast Journalism
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Expected Date of Graduation: May 2009
Work Experience in Communications
USA TODAY- McLean, VA
Marketing Intern
AOL - Sterling, VA
Sports and News Intern, October 2007 - Present
- Organized and set up modules for news stories
- Created and posted over 1,500 topic pages, (with streaming RSS feeds)
- Created analysis collection from different news sources, including page views, frequency of return visitors, most popular stories
- Created a time limit rule for posted comments. (To help against spammers on message boards)
- Organized material and collaborated with head AOL journalist on the 2008 presidential elections
- Organized new online content for sports and news main, including: the Truth and Rumors Poll, Sports Quizzes, and Hot Topics (links to the hot news headlines)
- Worked with products and development teams on new Fanhouse and Popeater pages.
Channel 10 - Fairfax, VA
Sidekick on the Andy Finn Show, October 2006-September 2007
- Collaborated with producer and director on the presentation of Headline News
- Assisted the Anchor with delivery and comment on News
- Came up with the insertion of "Weird News" into the news program (The Onion, and Funny stories), ratings rose 20%
WGMU Radio - George Mason University Radio Station, Fairfax, VA
Disc Jockey and News Anchor for WGMU Radio, August 2006-May 2007 and August 2007-December 2007
- On-air personality, Disc Jockey, and News Anchor for two 60 minute programs.
- Played music and announced campus news in a 60 minute morning show.
- Anchored an hour long evening News program, covering US and International news.
- Created commercials for the station about activities, games, volunteer work, shows and other public announcements, as well as the promotion of the WGMU station
Other Work Experience
The Limited - Fairfax, VA
Sales Associate, Trainer, Showroom attendant February 2007-November 2007
Cost Plus World Market- Fairfax, VA
Sales Associate, Head of Food and Beverage, and Trainer June 2006- February 2007
Joe's Crab House Restaurant- Fairfax, VA
Server and Trainer March 2005-June 2006
Robinson Secondary School Athletics- Fairfax, VA
Basketball Coach for High school summer programs - Summers of 2002, 2003, 2004
Honors and Activities
George Mason University- Magna Cum Laude
- Dean's List: Fall 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2009
- NASC- Honor Society Member
- National Dean's List: 2005/2006
- Who's Who Among College Students 2005/2006
- Student Government Historian- Photojournalist and Reporter on School activities and events
- L-team teacher - 5 students selected
- Committees: Homecoming, EFF, Special Events
- Photography Club Member
Robinson Secondary School
- International Baccalaureate and AP Studies
- Honor Roll
- Who's Who Among High School Students 2004/2005
- Who's Who Among High School Athletes 2004/2005
- Varsity Sports: Golf- Captain, Represented School in Virginia State Championship (2nd in District, 6th in Region, 41st in State), Basketball, and Track and Field
- Girl's Golf Champion - Country Club of Fairfax, 2003 and 2004
SKILLS
CSS, HTML, XML, Omniture- Analysis program, Cannae - Tool used for setting up topic pages, Big Bowl Module Software - AOL Tool for setting up web-based stories, LMDS, Dynapub, Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and Website Creation (Secure Shell), Adobe Audition, Adobe Photoshop, OTS and Proficient engineer (Radio), and 4 Semesters of Spanish
References available upon request