Sarah McQuillan

108 Rose Sky Court, Cary NC 27513

Cell: 919-518-6580
mcquillan@sostrategy.com
Summary
Highly motivated student seeking to gain experience and broaden my career
with a progressive and fast-paced company. Experience navigating the
legislative process, implementing communications campaigns across various
industries, writing and securing news releases and successfully planning and
executing fundraising events.
Core Competencies
Extensive understanding of North Carolinas political atmosphere and
dynamics
Skilled, creative and forward thinking
Excellent interpersonal, phone and digital communications skills
Accomplishments
Guided legislation through the North Carolina General Assembly
resulting in its passage into law
Successfully implemented communications campaigns for clients with
national and global presences
Published weekly in the Daily Tar Heel
Experience
Welcome Baby (Apples Service Learning)
PR Assistant
Durham, NC
January 2016- April 2016
Provided public relations services to update Welcome Babys brand. Reached
larger audiences and cut costs by implementing new communication tools.
Wrote press releases detailing significant partnerships.
Southern Strategy Group- North Carolina
Associate
Raleigh, NC
February 2015- present
Implemented strategic communications campaigns targeted at the North
Carolina General Assembly to advance policies on behalf of clients, including
the North Carolina Hospital Association and the North Carolina Sustainable
Energy Association. Successfully secured multiple items in the state budget
and guided several pieces of legislation through the General Assembly,
resulting in their passage into law. Arranged meetings with key legislators
and planning legislative receptions. Expanded brand awareness and online

presence and engagement via multiple social media channels. Successfully

secured news releases in major local outlets.
Burr for Senate
Content Assistant
Raleigh, NC
March 2016- present
Provided social media content for a variety of platforms. Constructed
appropriate messaging in order to boost online presence and engagement.
Found unique ways to present Sen. Burr to the public in a more personal
manner while maintaining the significance of his position. Used social media
to effectively mobilize voters during the primary election.
MMI Public Relations
Intern to Account Executive
Raleigh, NC
May 2014- August 2014
Provided social media and written content for a variety of accounts. Crafted
content for news releases and media alerts. Implemented successful media
campaigns for clients with national and global presences including Mims
Distributing Company, North Carolinas largest beer distributor, and Bayer
CropScience, a worldwide innovative crop science company. Participated in
strategic planning meetings, created media kits for clients, developed media
pitches and contributed to the company blog.
Daily Tar Heel
Blog Coordinator
Chapel Hill, NC
September 2014- September 2015
Responsible for meeting strict deadlines on a weekly basis while delivering
quality, accurate and comprehensive news reports. Experience interviewing
various sources with great attention to detail. Selected by editors to write art
critiques, specifically play reviews for local student and professional theaters.
Also asked to write blog features of local artists and musical groups.
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Expected
Graduation: May 2017
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Relations focus;
Second major: Political Science
Chapel Hill, NC, United States