Career Objectives
To tell stories through my language skills and fluency in various media, enhance and improve existing copy and to continue developing my own writing in a professional environment. To provide my skills as a writer and critic to real-world, contemporary problems, and to approach those problems with the intent of solving them efficiently and creatively
Work Experience
Teaching Assistant, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Jan. 2018 – Dec. 2018
In my role as a teaching assistant, I helped oversee the education of over 100 different students in three separate courses. I learned how to efficiently run a classroom, but furthermore, I also managed the online gradebook for the course, wrote lectures and lesson plans, and — most importantly — edited and graded hundreds of papers and assignments.
Statehouse Reporter, The Missouri Times, Jefferson City, Missouri; July 2015 – July 2017
Before moving to Colorado to pursue my master’s degree, I worked as a journalist for two years in Jefferson City, Missouri covering state politics and government for a start-up publication. On top of my primary duties as writer and reporter, I copy-edited the stories of the other writers on staff, helped manage our social media accounts via Hootsuite, and showed flexibility by doing whatever other task might be asked of me in a demanding, deadline-driven environment. I also juggled long-form enterprise stories alongside my work as a beat reporter on multiple beats.
Prep Sports Reporter, Jefferson City News-Tribune/The Lake Today, Lake Ozark, Missouri; Sept. 2013 – July 2015
I got my start as a journalist at a small publication called The Lake Today, a weekly newspaper in Lake Ozark, Missouri that was a subsidiary of the Jefferson City News-Tribune. I wrote primarily about high school sports, but occasionally did articles and features for other sections of the paper. I also managed my own blog via the website to discuss sports beyond the Lake-Area prep sports scene.
English Language Media Volunteer, 2012 China Open, Beijing, China; Oct. 2012
During college, I reported for the 2012 China Open’s English language web site for one week in Beijing. My week-long assignment saw me write feature articles and game stories in a fast-paced deadline-oriented environment. I also interviewed several high-profile tennis players, including Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic.
Publishing Intern, The Missouri Review, Columbia, Missouri; June and July 2012
As a publishing intern, I evaluated manuscripts based on literary merit for publication in The Missouri Review, and I presented successful works to editors and fellow interns. I also worked in a specialized group that determined the viability of authors for the journal to interview.
Multimedia Intern, KMOX 1120 AM, St. Louis, Missouri; May – July 2011
I wrote copy for radio broadcasts and wrote full articles for web pages during my time at KMOX, often collaborating with several reporters and editors. I covered diverse topics from city and state level news to various events around town and took pictures, made photo galleries and learned how to use WordPress to its fullest potential.
Education
| Master of Arts – English University of Colorado — Boulder 3.9 GPA — Focus on ecocriticism, posthumanism, postmodernism, post-1945 American literature, and emerging media. |
| Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts – English University of Missouri 3.3 GPA — Emphases in Convergence Journalism and Creative Fiction Writing, respectively. |
Skills
| News writing, copy writing, creative writing | Photography and photo editing on Adobe Photoshop and Gimp |
| Copy editing: AP, MLA and home styles | Capable with WordPress, CarbonMade, Wix, Medium website/blog platforms |
| Some sound and video editing experience | Proficient with all Microsoft Office and Google Drive platform products |
| Social Media Management on Tweetdeck and Hootsuite | Curation with Zotero |
Traits
| Deadline-oriented | Extremely open to critique and constructive criticism |
| Life-long learner, persistently curious | Broad general knowledge, but able to learn new concepts quickly |
| Strong work ethic | Modest, humble, averse to taking self too seriously |
Travis Zimpfer 