Objective

To obtain an entry-level position or internship in public relations, marketing or communications for summer 2016

Education

B.A. Public Relations, Special study: Marketing, May 2016 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, GPA: 3.47/4.0, In-major: 3.71/4.0, Top 25% of class, Dean’s List: Five semesters

Related Experience

Public Affairs Intern: Public Information Office, U.S. Census Bureau, Suitland, Maryland July-August 2015 • Pitched stories to the media, directly answered media queries and tracked interactions using Vocus/Cision • Composed communication materials and led government approval processes prior to public dissemination

Project Manager: Student Public Relations Team, County of Pulaski, Virginia August-December 2014 • Competitively developed public information projects – including strategic reviews of nearby counties, website

redesign, public service announcements and a fundraising proposal – for County Administrator

• Pitched winning media kit to client, after communicating and delegating 11 group projects to team of six

• Composed press release for county Board of Supervisors meeting

Public Relations Intern: Myers Public Relations LLC, Reston, Virginia July 2012-November 2014 • Researched consumer demographics to assist in marketing strategies and proposals for branding success • Brainstormed events and marketing campaign tactics to boost foot traffic and sales on client retail properties • Drafted and edited marketing analytics reports for clients’ Google AdWords, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

to measure success of online advertising campaigns and encourage client review • Designed advertising material, such as logos, signs, social media branding and flyers for client use • Assisted with on-site event management (50-10,000 attendees) and photographed events for promotional use • Wrote four guest articles for company’s Wordpress blog, www.myerspr.com/blog, to promote company brand

Leadership Experience

Public Relations Chair: Female Education Advocacy Representatives, Virginia Tech March 2015-present • Fundraise to sponsor youth academic scholarships in Afghanistan, post updates on nonprofit’s social media

Student Panel Member: Department of Communication, Virginia Tech January 2015-present

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA): Virginia Tech Chapter January 2013-present • Chapter President, April 2015-present

o Lead weekly meetings, first-ever alumni reunion, grant/award applications and eight officers’ operations o Presented a development session on organizational branding at the PRSSA 2015 National Conference

• Vice President, April 2014 – April 2015 o Created and launched mentorship program between 24 underclassmen and eight upperclassmen

• Attended PRSSA 2014/2015 National Conference, and PRSSA 2013 National Assembly as Chapter delegate • Webmaster and Editor-in-Chief, April 2013 - April 2014

o Edited and published 6-10 peer writers’ articles to produce two newsletters and 22 blog posts o Increased blog post number by 240% from previous year and measured 400+ website clicks per week

Vice President of Finance: Pi Beta Phi, Virginia Zeta Chapter January-December 2014 • Acted as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for 192-member chapter and led financial communication • Developed and led administration of $150,000 chapter budget while tracking 18 officer budgets • Managed accounts receivable duties, accounts payable, taxes and financial records

Other Activities

Human Resources Intern: ASM Research: An Accenture Federal Services Company June 2015- January 2016

Peer Career Advisor: Virginia Tech Career Services August 2014-present

Lifestyles Staff Writer: The Collegiate Times Newspaper, Blacksburg, Virginia September 2013-January 2014

Skills § Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign;

Microsoft Office Suite and Web 2.0 § Entrepreneurial photography, 2009 – present,

www.facebook.com/melaniebethphotos

§ Social media platforms (Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, Pinterest Analytics, Instagram, Snapchat, Weebly and Wordpress)

§ Usage of Associated Press style

Melanie B. Ford

Mbford94@vt.edu | www.melanie-ford.com | www.linkedin.com/in/mford1