Esther Bergdahl

estherb@u.northwestern.edu (773) 301-3828 www.estherbergdahl.com Education Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University (Jan.Dec. 2013) Master of Science in Journalism, Magazine Writing and Editing University of Chicago (Sept. 2002June 2006) Bachelor of Arts in Fundamentals: Issues & Texts First place, David Blair McLaughlin Prize for essays demonstrating special skill and sense of form in the writing of English prose, June 2006 Journalism, Writing and Digital Experience PolicyMic, Remote Copy Editor, www.policymic.com (March 2014present) Fact-check, source, edit for AP style, proofread and format daily news stories in CMS Provide structural and contextual feedback on stories as needed Write accurate and engaging stories on deadline; see esther.policymic.com for more Freelance writer (Dec. 2013present) Work recently featured in JUF News (February 2014); ongoing contributor to Oy!Chicago Medill News Service, Urban Affairs Reporter, Chicago (AprilJune, 2013) Reported on veterans and military families; covered military suicide, veteran homelessness, art therapy, active duty single mothers and more with print, audio, video and photo Produced Medill News Service website; determined editorial direction; composed and scheduled promotion of MNS social media; worked with reporters to improve stories and follow AP style guidelines; oversaw newsroom and managed budget, reporter schedules Picked up by Austin Weekly News, Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors, National Veterans Art Museum Magpie & Whale, www.magpieandwhale.com (Jan. 2011present) Write, create and promote essays, reviews, photography and fiction Engage and expand audiences through Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook Customize and manage website appearance and functionality through HTML, CSS, knowledge of WordPress code Share and analyze news stories and encourage media literacy over social networks at J for Journo (http://jforjourno.tumblr.com) Center for Jewish Genetics, Senior Program Associate, Chicago (May 2009Dec. 2012) Created, edited and promoted original online, video and print content explaining complex genetics and religious concepts for lay audiences Led website redesign campaign and introduced Twitter, blog, Facebook integration to modernize brand, resulting in increased traffic and heightened awareness of issue among target populations Computer Skills: Coding (HTML, CSS, jQuery, Javascript), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Audition, Premiere), social media (Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook), WordPress and other content management systems (Drupal, custom/other), Microsoft Office Suite, Basecamp Extracurriculars: Representative, Medill Graduate Student Advisory Council; writes novels; plays ukulele