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Zara McDowell

                                                                                                       

EXPERIENCE

 

Reporter, Anchor, Producer, Digital Producer, Desk Assistant and Production Assistant: KOMU8 TV: Columbia, Missouri               July 2015 - Present     ​

  • Pitched, shot, wrote and edited enterprises, day-turn packages, VOSOTS, Investigative packages and Facebook videos.

  • Anchored evening newscasts and cut-ins during the Today show.

  • Edited video using AVID to create packages, VOSOTS and promotional videos.

  • Wrote news scripts using iNEWS and constructed web stories under tight deadlines for daily newscasts.

  • Managed personal Facebook Live accounts and conducted tweets for the station’s twitter to engage viewers.

  • Operated the teleprompter for news anchors and gained vital experience in a live newsroom.

  •  Produced an accurate, visually pleasing and intriguing newscast for our viewers.

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Broadcast Lab Assistant: University of Missouri School of Journalism: Columbia, Missouri                                                             August 2014 -  Present

  • Maintained an organized equipment library of video cameras, iPad kits, Marantz kits, XLR cables, lavaliere and stick microphones for broadcast and radio projects.

  • Resolved camera and equipment issues to ensure the best equipment quality.

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News Intern: KMOV 4, CBS Affiliate: St. Louis, Missouri                                                                                                                       June 2017 - August 2017

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  • Wrote packages and VOSOTS for air, and web stories for online publication.

  • Worked alongside a photographer as an acting reporter conducting interviews.

  • Edited personal practice packages with standups using Edius.

  • Attended morning pitch meetings with the news team to discuss what needed to be covered that day and decide which stories went into each newscast.

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Radio Reporter: KBIA-NPR Radio Station: Columbia, Missouri                                                                                                   August 2016 - December 2016

  • Interviewed sources and reported daily news shifts for on-air and online content.

  • Pitched stories and collaborated with the news editor to provide in-depth reporting on a deadline.

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Customer Service Representative: Shelter Insurance Companies: Columbia, Missouri                                                              March 2015 - February 2017

  • Worked as an insurance agent, writing and changing auto and home policies in a high volume call center.

                                                             EDUCATION

Bachelor of Journalism - Emphasis in Radio-Television Reporting and Anchoring Columbia, Missouri                                            August 2014-May 2018

  • University of Missouri

  • Political Science Minor and Multi-Cultural Certification

SKILLS

AVID —- iNEWS —- Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro - —AP Style -— Final Cut Pro X —- Audacity —Adobe Audition - Edius - Certified in Career Technical Education- Television/Video Production through The Riverside County Office of Education 

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VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Forum Christian Church                                                                                                                                                                           December 2015 - Present

  • Led and mentored a high school youth group through bible studies, discussions and small group in Columbia, Missouri.

  • Operated video cameras and video switchboards for church services.

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Women in Media Mentor                                                                                                                                                                           December 2016 - Present

  • Mentored a freshman student as she entered the Journalism school at the University of Missouri.

  • Answered questions pertaining to journalism and university courses and facilitated discussions and meetings with mentee.—

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ACTIVITES AND INVOLVEMENT

  • Association for Women in Sports Media – Treasurer

  • Radio Television Digital News Association – Outreach Chair

  • Target 8 Investigative Team

                                                            REFERENCES

  • Kent Collins                                       University of Missouri Radio-Television Journalism Faculty Chair                         collinsks@missouri.edu

  • John O’Sullivan                                  Investigative Producer at KMOV - St. Louis                                                      John.O’Sullivan@kmov.com

  • Kimberly Beamer                                University of Missouri Radio-Television Journalism Administrative Assistant          beamerkn@missouri.edu   

 

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