Experience

I’m currently a NOW reporter at USA TODAY. Feel free to check out my work using the links below. If there’s a paywall issue, you can email me at Saleen.Martin25@gmail.com for writing samples.

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Education

Master of Arts
Journalism concentration
University of Georgia
May 2018
                                      

Bachelor of Arts
English and Secondary Education concentration
Virginia Wesleyan College
May 2014

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Work Experience

Staff Writer
The Virginian-Pilot
May 2018 – March 2022

  • Started as a breaking news intern in May 2018, working multiple times a week as the sole breaking news reporter at night, responding to crime scenes, fires, city council meetings and memorial services for Virginia’s largest daily newspaper
  • Posted breaking news flashes to the newspaper’s website and followed with fuller stories for web and print
  • Worked on enterprise and human interest stories while juggling breaking news coverage
  • Created daily, multi-platform copy for Twitter, Facebook, Pilotonline.com and the company’s print newspaper
  • Recognized in Feb. 2021 by editors for high productivity; I wrote 40 posts over four weeks as a breaking news reporter, or 10 stories a week
  • Promoted to features writer in June 2021, covering local art exhibitions, musicians and new releases, upcoming concerts, comedy shows, as well as guides to holiday events such as Howl-O-Scream at the community’s local theme park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Graduate Assistant
University of Georgia’s Division of Marketing & Communications
January 2017 – May 2018

  • Crafted features, profiles, and press releases for the university’s media communications department
  • Proved to be an excellent self-starter, sifting through the university’s websites to find newly-published research and student-led programs, which developed into story pitches

Digital Intern
WAVY-TV 10
June 2017 – August 2017

  • Quickly posted information to WAVY.com and hrScene.com
  • Led the company’s effort to list participating animal shelters in the “Clear the Shelters” adoption campaign by scheduling social media posts with fun information enticing locals to adopt cats, dogs and other pets

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Skills

  • Headline writing and using social media to connect with sources and develop pitches
  • Engaging with readers on social media platforms such as Twitter
  • Live-tweeting coverage and making in-the-moment editorial decisions about nuanced coverage areas, such as protests
  • Using online archives to research topics such as local history, architecture and politics