Melissa Puryear

I am a recent graduate of BC, where I double-majored in journalism and communication.

As a student journalist and communicator, I interviewed community officials and experts on important issues that impacted our community. My articles and speeches focused primarily on, crime, safety, education and politics.

I wrote an informative article on the Measure J plan, a initiative funded by the residents of Bakersfield which promoted better education. It's basic rollout began with improvements on BCs college campus, and called for complete demolition and renovation of classroom buildings, the stadium, classroom equipment, and educational offerings.

I also covered the controversial legislative bills that were introduced in Sacramento, such as the Gas Tax and it's repeal measure, as well as the legislative bill that provided pro bono attorney representation for veterans facing criminal convictions, and California's controversial measure that would give shorter conviction time to those incarcerated for non-violent crimes.

As a Managing Editor, and news team member, I helped produce, edit, and publish a bi-weekly newspaper– both in digital and print format, and successfully met tight deadlines as a high-quality local news outlet.

I am proficient in software programs Premiere Pro, Indesign, Photoshop, and AfterEffects.

I photographed and edited digital media, and videography, to include color and black and white photos.

As a communication major I wrote outlines for presentations, created PowerPoint slides and presented ideas to my peer audience in the following communication courses: persuasive, business, organizational, small group, intercultural communication, public speaking, oral interpretation, and rhetoric and argumentation, with a 4.0 grade point average.

I am a member of the Sigma Chi Eta National Honor Society, a distinction given to 15 students of my graduating class.

I am a military veteran with five years of service as a military police officer serving in the National Capital Region of D.C.

You can view my work by clicking on "Read my articles" at the top of this page and type in "Melissa Puryear" in the search bar.