Melissa Puryear

I'm a 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 work focused primarily on crime, safety, education and politics.

One of my final articles as a journalist was BC's Measure J plan: an 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, including a robust STEM program.

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 student news source.

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

In addition to journalism and communication skills I am a skilled photographer of both digital media and print media in color, black and white. I can also shoot, edit and create video projects with voice overs narrations, as well as conduct research, create written content for podcasting and delivery.

As a communication major I wrote outlines for presentations, created PowerPoint slides and presented ideas to a 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'm a member of the Sigma Chi Eta National Honor Society. I'm also 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 journalistic news stories by clicking on "Read my articles" at the top of this page and type in "Melissa Puryear" in the search bar.