Melanie Harris

230 Pheasant Run Drive Blacksburg, VA 24060

Phone: (757) 813-4874 E-Mail: mkayharris@gmail.com

Objective:
Actively seeking a Public Relations career in the fashion and/or music industry

Education:
B.A., Electronic and Print Journalism, Minor: Creative Writing May 2010

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

GPA: 2.7; earned 100% of education and living expenses.

Skills:
Writing:

• Published writer; large portfolio (Portfolio available upon request).

• Familiar with many genres of writing including press releases, magazine articles, news stories, feature
writing, ad text, blogging, website content, and short story writing (fiction and non-fiction).

• Proficient in AP, MLA, APA writing styles.

• Excellent interviewing and research skills.

• Creative writer with a strong voice.

Fashion/Beauty:

• Former columnist/fashion writer for UniversityChic.com.

• Vast knowledge of the fashion and beauty industry including branding, industry history, designer
recognition, apparel design, fashion icons, and product use.

• Constantly seeking the latest fashion news, products, and designers with subscriptions to fashion
magazines such as Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Marie Claire, Lucky, and Allure and websites such as
Twitter, Facebook, womensweardaily.com, whowhatwear.com, fashionweekdaily.com, fabsugar.com,
and more.

• Self-proclaimed fashionista and shopaholic.

New/Social Media:

• Attended the NACUFS Mid Atlantic Pre-Conference on Social Media in Washington DC in June 2008 and
the New Media Expo in Las Vegas, NV in August 2008.

• Very active on Facebook, Twitter, Twitpic, MySpace and Youtube.com; past experience with Wordpress
and Blogspot.com.
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• Produced a series of podcasts on nutrition and moving on campus and several videos for Youtube.com
and promotional and training usage for Virginia Tech.

Software/Computer Skills:

• Can type over 100 words per minute.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experienced with Macromedia Contribute, Adobe Photoshop, Quickbooks, and Filemaker.

• Produced and edited videos and podcasts using Garageband, iMovie, and iDVD.

Relevant Experience
New Media Communications Assistant June 2008 - Present
Virginia Tech Division of Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, Blacksburg, VA

• Promoted in June 2008 to take over new media responsibilities in addition to duties as Communications
Assistant.

• Continued writing press releases, ad text, text for publications, and web content as well as tracking
media hits.

• Filmed, produced, and edited movies using iMovie and iDVD to be used for promotional and training
purposes and published them on YouTube.com.

• Managed VT Dining Facebook fan page, which has over 200 fans to date, providing them with
information on upcoming events and facilitating conversation through discussion boards.

• Produced a series of podcasts on nutrition and moving on campus for Virginia Tech.

• Initiated an Orientation blog as a resource to answer questions parents and students had during New
Student Orientation.

• Facilitated focus groups of 6-10 students to gather content and ideas for a new student publication to be
released in June 2009.

Fashion Intern May 2008 - August 2008

SeekingDesigners.com, New York, NY

• Updated web content as requested.

• Interviewed upcoming clothing and product designers and contributed one article weekly to The Inside
Scoop.
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Fashion Writer December 2006 – July 2008

UniversityChic.com, New York, NY

• Authored Glimpse of Gorgeous, a weekly-featured fashion and beauty column and Get Inspired, a
motivational column.

• Wrote fashion articles separate from weekly columns and a feature on the 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech

• Reviewed several beauty products and initiated a makeover series for the website.

Communications Assistant January 2008 - June 2008

Virginia Tech Division of Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, Blacksburg, VA
• Wrote text for Student Programs publications and promotions including press releases, web content, and
articles for external trade publications and magazines.
• Tracked media hits of published press releases (over 200 for 2007-08 fiscal year).
• Brainstormed new ideas for marketing campaigns, ads, and new publications.

Marketing Assistant August 2006 – January 2008

Virginia Tech Division of Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, Blacksburg, VA
• Performed office duties including helping with event preparation, assisting three graphic designers,
making copies, counting and delivering promotional materials, laminating signs and posters, driving a
state-licensed vehicle, and logging out jobs on Filemaker.