Kirstyn Brendlen `z1 CO NT ACT (551) 804 - 2837 kpbrendlen@gmail.com kirstynbportfolio.squarespace.com
Twitter: @KPBrend
SK ILLS Microsoft Word and Excel Adobe InDesign Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram CMS Management - Wix and Wordpress AVID video editing News and feature writing Blog posts and newsletters Working cooperatively in teams Excellent interpersonal skills
EDUCATION B.A. Journalism / Hofstra University / 2014-2018 / Minor: Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies Staff Writer: The Hofstra Chronicle Editor: Sifted Magazine Modern Standard Arabic Language Intensive / The University of Haifa / Haifa, Israel, Summer 2017
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Education & Transportation Reporter / The Riverdale Press / Bronx, NY / July 2019Present • Worked as a beat reporter covering local education and transportation, including the local effects of state and city policy.
• Researched and pitched 4-5 stories plus one standing column weekly. • Communicate regularly with local community board and elected officials. • Work in a small team of reporters to edit all stories weekly. • Manage social media accounts for The Riverdale Press. Development & Communications Intern / The Arab-American Family Support Center | Brooklyn, NY | January - May 2018, September 2018 - November 2018 • Researched and composed weekly blogs and quarterly newsletter. • Managed all social media accounts - Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, including during special events and campaigns. • Wrote informative, explanatory blog posts aimed both at clients and supporters of the organization. • Ran #YallaVote social media campaign aimed at increasing voter turnout in the Arab-American community. Bookseller / Barnes and Noble Paramus / Paramus, NJ / Sept 2018 - Present • Work with customers to find and recommend books. • Research and sell popular books in store and companywide.
WRITING EXPERIENCE Reporter / The Riverdale Press / July 2019 - Present • Covering education and transportation beats as well as general topics • Attend regular community board meetings of relevant committees. • Form relationships with local residents, schools, and business owners. Staff Writer / The Hofstra Chronicle / 2015-2018 • Conducted research and interviews for local politics pieces - including on-campus political debates and panels • Long-form features on subjects including Naloxone training, travelling in Israel and programs for developmentally-disabled Long Islanders Editor / Sifted Magazine | Hempstead, NY / 2017 • Editor for student-run online arts and culture magazine • Worked with a team of writers and editors to create, edit, and publish daily content on music and art • Covered New York City theater and art Intern / The Arab-American Family Support Center / 2018 • Researched and wrote weekly blog posts on political activity including or related to the Center and the New York AMEMSA community • Used social media to build network of information and contacts • Wrote and assembled quarterly newsletter using Raiser’s Edge