Cheryl Newman Journalism Portfolio

Writing, Editing, Photography

 

My experience as a professional journalist began in high school when I was paid as a teen-beat columnist for the "Daily News, Los Angeles." From there, I earned a full scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), and later transferred to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) where I earned my BA Degree in Journalism with a collateral in political science. As I worked my way through college, I worked as the photojournalist for Lockheed, creating the employee newspaper. I also worked freelance for newspapers and magazines. 

After college, I took a job as the assistant editor for "Powerboat" magazine and quickly rose to senior editor. After, I worked as an editor in different capacities for various magazines. When magazines were going online and many closing for good, I began working strictly as a freelance journalist--writer and photographer.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

I'm a tech-savvy journalist with 20-plus years of publishing experience. I was awarded a teen-beat column for the "Daily News, Los Angeles," and then received a full scholarship to University of Southern California. While in college, I wrote, photographed, edited, designed and and laid-up the Lockheed Employee's Newsletter while working for my BA degree in Journalism from Cal State Northridge.

I worked as a magazine editor (senior, in-house, managing, etc.) for several top magazines, and wrote as a staff writer for newspapers, websites and blogs at the same time. I oversaw the editorial and graphic-arts departments while editing magazines, and helped increase readership by revamping content through online social networking; marketing; and by using SEO and keyword-focus content writing. I helped get top positions on search-engine lists.

Magazines and newspapers I wrote, photographed and edited for include automotive, boating, legal and home improvement, and beats I covered included the courts, the police and sheriff, the city council, the mayor and the board of supervisors for Los Angeles County.

I was often promoted early for my hard work, dedication and willingness to ensure deadlines were met with total accuracy. I developed style-guides, created flow-sheets and editorial strategies that helped ease magazine development.

I have excellent writing, editing, researching, fact-checking and interviewing skills, along with strong organizational habits and multi-task abilities. Currently I work as freelance writer; photographer (still and video); researcher; and reporter (having some broadcast experience). I have strong publishing and editorial software experience, always adapting to new programs, along with digital and social-media marketing tactics. (AP Style.)