Kirstyn Brendlen `z1
CO NT ACT (551) 804 2837 kpbrendlen@gmail.com @KPBrend https://tinyurl.com/KBrendlen
SK ILLS Microsoft Word and Excel Adobe InDesign Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Content management systems News and feature writing Blog posts and newsletters Excellent interpersonal skills Breaking news and follow-up
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Politics & Government Reporter / The Riverdale Press / Bronx, NY / February 2020Present • Covered political campaigns from hyperlocal to national levels, including race between Jamaal Bowman and Eliot Engel in NY-16 • Wrote on subjects from mental health during the pandemic to a new childbirth center in the Bronx • Developed and maintained relationships with sources, including political campaigns and local police. • Assisted interns and new reporters with reporting, writing, and filing stories. • New York Press Association Award Winner - First place (shared) and second place, News Story Education & Transportation Reporter / The Riverdale Press / Bronx, NY / July 2019February 2020 • 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. • Coordinated with staff and area schools for annual special editions • Managed paper’s Twitter and Facebook pages, reaching more than 11,000 followers 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.
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 Recognitions: New York Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, 2020 • News Story, First Place, shared, for “Slow Road to Reforming Healthcare” • News Story, Second Place for “SAR struggles after enduring institution’s ‘hardest week’”
MISC. WORK EXPERIENCE: Bookseller / Barnes and Noble Paramus / Sept. 2018-Present • Manage inventory, help customers with finding and ordering books, works across departments including in music, used books, and receiving Concierge / Brightview Senior Living Paramus / June - Aug. 2015, June - Aug. 2016 • First point of contact for people calling sales trailer pre-opening • Organized events including sending invitations and managing RSVP list