Sarah Steighner

Academic & Professional Resume

ses5626@psu.edu 724-859-5326 11837 State Route 85 Kittanning, PA 16201
Objective
In my final year of academic learning in pursuit of a degree in Communications with a focus in Journalism, my objective is to pursue
jobs in the field of Communications and/or Journalism specifically. Working as Editor-in-Chief of my own campus newspaper, and an
internship at The Kittanning Paper, along with my education at Penn State New Kensington has given me the learning experience and
motivation that I hope to pursue in a job in the field of Communications upon graduation.
Academic Qualifications
West Shamokin High School
Cumulative GPA: 4.0
Penn State University, New Kensington, PA
Bachelor of: Communications/Journalism
Cumulative GPA: 3.5
Senior Research: Media Influence on the 2016 Presidential Campaign

Graduated: Spring 2012

Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2016
Current

Academic Awards & Distinctions

Blue & White Scholarship
o Academic Scholarship based on GPA
Penn State New Kensington Literary Award
o Award in recognition of writing an article published in the campus newspaper

Fall 2012
Spring 2015

Professional Experience
Student News Reporter for the Indiana Gazette
2010-2011
o Position: Contributing writer
Independently developed news stories to investigate
Penn State New Kensington Campus Paper: The Nittany Pride
Fall 2013 Present
o Position: Staff Writer
2013 Fall Semester
Write articles for deadlines to be published
o Entertainment Editor/Staff Writer
2013 Spring Semester
Attend concerts, art shows, etc. both on campus and in Pittsburgh area
Conduct interviews
Write articles for deadlines to be published
o Editor-in-Chief
2014 2015
Assign news stories to staff writers
Organize, edit & format stories submitted by staff writers
Write articles for deadlines to be published
o Co-Editor-in-Chief
Current
Collaborate with fellow co-editor on upcoming stories and events to publicize
Use Publisher to format newspaper
Organize, and edit staff writers articles
Write articles for deadlines to be published
Penn State New Kensington Newspaper Club
2012-2015
o President
2013-2014
Recruit members for Newspaper Club
Organize Club Rush booth
Set up and conduct meetings
Attend Student Government meetings
o Vice President
Attend Student Government meetings
Meet financial deadlines for newspaper printing costs
Current

Work Experience
________________________________________________________
Blackridge Quarter Horses
2012-2013
o Conduct General Stable Maintenance
o Supervise Physical Rehabilitation therapy with injured equine
Brain Himes Performance Horses
2014-2015
o General Stable Maintenance & Animal Care Responsibilities
o Complete Facility Organizational Duties
Jefferson Knolls Stable
2014-2015
o General Stable Maintenance & Animal Care Responsibilities
Kittanning Paper Journalist Intern
Summer 2015
o Wrote 25 articles published on a range of news events in Armstrong County
Borough meetings
Parades
Concert/Musical Previews
Community Events/Issues
Local School Meetings/Events
o Interview sources for articles( including community religious leaders, school board members, even participants, etc)
o Capture and categorize numerous pictures for print and database purposes
o Collaborate with fellow writers in a newsroom/business atmosphere
o Record interviews and edited recordings for radio use
o Learn and adapt writing to the newspapers style of writing and editing
o Accept critiques from head journalists and adjust my writing accordingly
Community Work___________________________________________________________________________________________
THON Member
Brainstorm ideas to raise money with children for pediatric cancer
Gain contact with the community for donations
Organize events
Participate in fundraisers
PR work and writing for the organization

2013-2015

Rootwire Transformation Arts Festival Volunteer

Dish Washing Crew
o Helped keep up on sanitation protocol
o Enforced Recycling Procedures
o Washed Re-usable dishes

August 2013

References________________________________________________________________________________________
Abhinav Aima aka11@psu.edu 724-472-8798
Position: Instructor of Communications at Penn State New Kensington
Relationship to Student: Student Newspaper Adviser & Communications Internships Director
Jonathan Weaver - jweaver@kittanningpaper.com 724-309-4943
Position: Reporter at The Kittanning Paper
Relationship to Student: Head of my Internship Experience