Stephen Palkot

Part-time work in stocking and warehousing duties.

Ran a computer lab with students working independently on English and math enrichment apps. Taught and maintained detailed technology procedures for students, resulting in few problems due to students misusing computer resources. Graded student-maintained folders in order to provide feedback to students and for students to improve their performance. Identified students in need of additional help, using student data, and met with those students to provide additional instruction for standardized test skills.

Implemented new class for students to use iStation (reading skills) software. Led small-group, literacy interventions for struggling students, who were identified using iStation data. Managed student behavior using techniques suggested by supervisors, resulting in classes that increased productivity. Created systems for students to log in and begin working immediately on class software.

HISD is a diverse school district that covers a large portion of Houston. As a substitute teacher, I watched over classes at all grade levels and throughout the city. In this position, I learned through experience about classroom management, working with children, and I received a first-hand feel for the day-to-day environment of a public school.

Published blog posts on variety of topics (dog care, photography) in order to promote clients’ products. Sent over 100 e-mail pitches per month to blogs, resulting in 20-plus guest articles per month. Identified quality blogs using advanced Google search queries, by monitoring Twitter keywords, and through contacts with web authors.

Assisted client companies increase their online presence by writing content for business websites and promotional articles, working with writers, marketing specialists, and web developers. Wrote blog posts, product pages, promotional copy for client businesses. Implemented keyword targeting, SEO development best practices to increase websites’ search engine visibility, rankings, and traffic. Developed web content using basic HTML, multimedia on the Hubspot CMS.

Wrote website content based on industry research, generating leads for clients. Wrote title tags, meta descriptions, headings based on keyword research, for clients’ sites to rank highly in competitive, non-branded search terms. Publicized clients through marketing articles, business listings, link building. Used Google Analytics to measure progress of campaigns, determine strategies. Maintained company Twitter account.

I wrote news articles and feature stories, and provided assistance in the editorial room. In this position, I earned three AP Managing Editors awards and covered wide ranging topics. My beats included the Fort Bend County government, the courts system, and U.S. Congressional races.

This wasn't technically I title I held, but nevertheless it was a role I played in addition to my reporting duties. I kept the paper's website updated with news articles and media, and developed time-saving processes for converting articles and image files into web formats. Furthermore, I helped other staff members understand the content management system.

I uploaded content to the News 24 Houston website. The company has since gone out of business.