Emily N. Cannon
Career Profile
Quick-learning writer/editor with a passion for improving efficiency, quality, and accuracy. Noted for honesty and sense of humor with a history of effective collaboration. I'm interested in all aspects of the media and being part of the process of turning complex information into something digestible.
Professional Experience
Quality Assurance Specialist, Survey.com, San Jose - 2004 to 2008
Responsible for evaluating business and survey documents for logic and
fluency, ability to meet client goals, consistency, adherence to
internal programming standards and company conventions, editing,
formatting, and online functionality.
- Developed an elegant manual that gave staff an easy-to-use reference for quality control processes and project development.
- Analyzed clients' research projects to avoid costly mistakes.
- Initiated collaboration between departments that increased cooperation and accuracy.
- Oversaw testing of online surveys that were free of errors and glitches.
- Effectively managed all QA functions solo when needed, freeing manager to complete higher-level tasks and increasing overall workflow within the department.
- Improved accuracy of sales proposals, ensuring the projects the clients wanted were the projects the company delivered.
Student Assistant, University of Washington Health Sciences Microlab, Seattle - 2001 to 2004
Helped library patrons and instructors use workstations and printers; answered questions and gave customer service.
- Resolved technical issues for computer lab users.
- Kept workstations up to date without neglecting lab users' questions.
Intern, Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com), Seattle - 2002
Updated
database information using a proprietary content management system;
maintained commercial links between IMDb.com and its parent company,
Amazon.com.
- Improved usefulness and accuracy of IMDbPro entertainment industry site by keeping contact and representation information up to date.
- Contributed to overall value of IMDb by adding and tagging promotional photos that would be of interest to users.
Additional Relevant Experience
- Excelled in copyediting and design course. Reinforced copyediting and proofreading skills following AP Style rules; learned layout skills using paper dummies and Adobe InDesign.
- Worked with a small production crew to design and create all content for a multimedia website. Learned to shoot video with a prosumer-grade MiniDV camera, use professional sound equipment, and compose simple Flash animation. Employed interviewing, research, and editorial skills, resulting in a project that won the University of Washington's Department of Communications Undergraduate Excellence in Digital Journalism prize in 2004.
- Researched, interviewed subjects, and wrote news and feature stories as part of the news writing sequence. Some stories were published in Seattle-area community newspapers. Writing portfolio: http://chiasmus.org/emily/writing/
- Acted as a Student Ambassador to provide female college students from Okazaki, Japan with cultural activities and English language experiences during their summer visitation program to Washington state in 2001.
- Developed several basic personal websites, including hand-coded HTML, graphics creation using Photoshop, and resolving hosting issues. Kept a personal blog since 1998 and maintained a hosted domain since 2003.
Career Skills and Experience
- Writing, editing, copyediting, and proofreading
- Knowledge of multiple style guides, including AP and Chicago
- Strong organizational and researching experience
- Collaborative teamwork, multi-tasking, and meeting hard deadlines
- Computer fluency, including working knowledge of Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, InDesign, Quark, Photoshop, HTML, blogging software
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Journalism, University of Washington, 2004