SUMMARY:
Diligent, top-notch communicator; rising star whose skills include organizational and small-group communication, public speaking and teaching, and a passion for writing and editing.

EDUCATION:
B.A., Communication Arts & Sciences: Agricultural Communication, December 2003. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802.
Communication Methods & Media
Communication & Responsibility
Writing for the Humanities
Editorial Process
Feature Writing
News Writing
Informational & Technical Presentational Speaking
Intro to Speech/Language Science
Intro to Communication Theory
Communication Research Methods
Gender Role Communication
Politics, Economy, & Communication
Mass Communications Law
Employment Law
Rhetorical Theory
Literary Journalism
Agricultural Computing
Club Management & Operation
Leadership Practicum
Community Planning & Issues

Graduate, June 1999. Lancaster Mennonite High School, Lancaster, PA, 17602.

EXPERIENCE:
Susquehanna Valley Air Quality Partnership Intern, Ann Meyers Public Relations, Inc. Lancaster, PA. Current.
        Created invitation to 2004 Ozone Season Kickoff Luncheon; Updated 150+-member contact list.

Marketing Associate, Law Office of Shawn M. Pierson, Lititz, PA. Spring 2004.
        Answered telephones; Greeted clients; Opened and closed client files; Created foundation for marketing program; Researched legal information.

Intern, The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lancaster, PA. Summer 2003.
        Assisted in planning, volunteer coordination, and development of Oregon Dairy's Family Farm Days; Coordinated registration of township officials attending Ag Symposium; Promoted Fall Job Fair via faxes, telephone calls, and e-mails; Managed mail merge databases and spreadsheets in MS Excel; Honed graphic arts skills through creation of poster displays.

Office Assistant, Schreyer Honors College, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Spring - Fall 2003.
        Typed and edited agendas and academic papers; Edited and administrated MS Access databases; Assembled mailings to 400+ recipients; Answered telephones and provided answers to questions from students, parents, and alumni; Coordinated projects involving more than 200 participants.

POSITIONS and HONORS:
Office Assistant, South Housing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Fall 2003.
Dean's List, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Fall 2000, Spring 2003.
Resident Assistant, Residence Life, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Fall 2001 - Spring 2003.
Math Tutor, Literacy Corps, CIU-10, Pleasant Gap, PA. Spring 2003.
Conference Host, Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) mid-winter convention, Hershey, PA. February 2003.
Office Assistant, West Halls Residence Life, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Fall 2002.
Assistant Cook, Camp Kanesatake, Spruce Creek, PA. Summer 2002.
Secretary, Alpha Tau Alpha, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Fall 2001.
Cashier, Warnock Dining Commons, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Fall 1999-Fall 2001.
Driving Safety School Assistant & Promotion Representative, AAA Lancaster County, Lancaster, PA. Summer 2001.
Teaching Assistant, Speech Communication 100A, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Spring 2001.
Team Leader, Innovative Quality Team, Schreyer Institute for Innovative Technology, State College, PA. Spring 2001.
Assistant Editor, Dairyman, 75th anniversary edition, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Winter 2000.
Telephone Service Representative, Inter-Medi@ Marketing, Inc., Lancaster, PA. Summer 2000.
Editor, Ag Activator, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA. Fall 1999.
College of Agricultural Sciences Representative, National FFA Convention, Louisville, KY. November 1999.

I bought a new printer last night. Well, I didn't REALLY buy a NEW printer... just replacement ink.

When Cartridge World moved into our neighborhood, I rejoiced to purchase HP ink cartridges at fractions of the price I would have paid at Staples or OfficeMax. Unfortunately, after three years of hard use, I had to retire my trusty little HP 672C ($60 from a university dormmate) after it barely survived fits of swearing and demon-possession.

In its place I purchased Epson's new 84C. Brand new. Straight out of the box. Parallel port AND USB port. Ink included.

I admit it; I felt a thrill to be buying a new printer. Sure, I used my mother's AmEx card, but hey, she gave me her permission to buy whichever printer I considered best for our family. Thus, standing in front of the rows of printers at our nearby OfficeMax, I considered the options: Color or B&W? Speed? Resolution? Parallel, USB, or wireless? Canon, HP, or Epson? One multi-color ink pack or individual replacements?

Always the cost-conscious consumer, the Epson 84C seduced me with its fast printing speed and individually replaceable ink cartridges (the black is twice as wide so it doesn't need to be replaced as often). It made sense; why replace all colors when you can replace one at a time? The $20 refund and OfficeMax's guaranteed replacement of the printer within one year, no questions asked, also didn't hurt.

Thus, I pulled out the AmEx and took the plunge. My first NEW computer product EVER. After years of buying second-hand or refurbished, I should have known better. Was I ever in for a big surprise!

I admit that I used that sweet new Epson pretty hard for the first month. I printed pages and pages of resumes and cover letters; my 8th-grade brother printed a 25-page research paper; my 11th-grade artistic sister printed full-color Thomas Kinkade's. When the "Ink low" warnings started appearing too frequently, I made my way to Cartridge World.

For the uninitiated, Cartridge World sells refilled ink brandname cartridges and specially-designed storebrand cartridges for most printers. Most. Meaning, not my Epson.

The Epson 84C has been on the market for only a few months. Cartridge World's R&D guys haven't had time to determine the exact recipe for Epson's special ink, nor have they had a chance to redesign the difficult-to-refill cartridge. The helpful proprietors explained the process to me and took down my name and mobile number. "We'll call you when we get them in," they said. Until then, I had no choice but to pay full price at a brandname supply store.

Hence, I found myself returning to OfficeMax and grimacing at my total bill: $79. For that price, I could have purchased a new printer. Again.