Resume

You can take the reporter out of the newsroom, but you can’t take the newsroom out of the reporter. Michelle V. Rafter parlayed her experience as a daily newspaper staff writer into a successful career as a freelance journalist covering technology, business and workplace issues for a variety of print and online media. Rafter is also the author of WordCount, a blog on freelancing in the age of digital media.

EXPERIENCE
Contributing Editor, Workforce Management
Senior contributor of features and news stories on human resource industry trends and issues, including outsourcing, recruiting, talent management, retirement, employee benefits and HR technology.
2004 to present

Contributing Writer
Regular contributor of news, analysis and feature stories on hardware, software, security, telecommunications, Web 2.0, workforce and general business topics for consumer, business and trade magazines and Web sites. Current clients include IncTechnology.com, Oregon Business and Studio One Network. Previous clients include The Oregonian, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Industry Standard, Internet World, Inc. Small Business Report, C|Net and others.
1995 to present

Communications Consultant
Writes, edits and produces auction catalogs, newsletters, directories and other publications for schools and other non-profit organizations.
1999 to present

Adjunct Professor, USC School of Communication
Taught online news writing at USC Graduate School of Journalism, covering leads, headlines, online story packages, AP Style and other basics.
2002

Staff Writer, Orange County Register
Covered Internet and telecom beats. Wrote paper’s weekly Plugged In computer column. Member of business news team that edited and wrote paper’s weekly BusinessMonday section. Member of feature section team that launched and produced weekly HomeTech tech section.
1987 to 1995

Writer and Editor
Staff writer, Orange County Business First, weekly business journal.
Editor, Homecare Magazine, monthly health care industry trade magazine.
Associate Editor, Homecare Magazine.
1981 to 1987

EDUCATION
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Graduate School of Journalism
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, BA, English, magna cum laude