MELISSA ALTON THORNTON
melissa@professionaldocumentation
Financed 100% of college education by working 30-40 hrs/wk during the school year and full-time during the summer.
EDUCATION
North Carolina State University
Master of Science in Technical Communication, December 1999
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education, May 1996
GPA: 3.1 Education GPA: 3.95 English GPA: 3.35
Honors: Deans List, Rotary Scholar, New Bern Civitan Scholarship
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Professional Information Developer, IBM, Research Triangle Park NC, July 1999-present.
  • Test and evaluate IBM web sites for usability
  • Create writing standards for eTSO
  • Evaluate and educate eTSO authors
  • Write, review and edit Quest documents, proactive e-mail and online help

Web Designer and Developer, IBM, Research Triangle Park NC, August 1998-July 1999.
  • Write, edit, code and maintain copy for IBM web sites
  • Test and code IBM web sites
  • Perform competitive analyses for IBM web sites and prepare status reports on findings
  • Worked on redesign of several IBM sites
  • Manage several databases, including Java feedback database and Java tips database
    • Answer questions posted to databases
    • Fix reported errors
    • Produce reports on feedback and errors
    • Review, edit and code Java tips

Standards Production Coordinator, ISA, Research Triangle Park NC, January 1998-August 1998.
  • Coordinated the production of ISA's standards including scheduling, proofing, production and inventory management of standards in print, CDROM and online formats
  • Revised industry standard documents from committee drafts to official ISA publications
  • Researched, designed, wrote and produced handbook articulating ANSI submittal procedures
  • Revised and finalized the Manual of Procedures for Standards Department
  • Wrote, coded and uploaded press releases for Standards Department web page
  • Composed descriptions for print and online catalogs
  • Bid, negotiated and contracted outside production services
  • Performed English to Spanish and Spanish to English translations

Office Manager, Advanced Information Consultants, Durham NC, March 1997-January 1998.
  • Produced instruction and user manuals
  • Prepared and analyzed monthly statistics and reports
  • Interviewed and participated in hiring process of prospective employees
  • Performed online searching and data retrieval
  • Supervised processing of client data

Director of Certification, Information Systems, Securities Education Institute, Chapel Hill NC, October 1996-January 1997.
  • Coordinated grading/certification of 26,000 clients
  • Created organizational policies to simplify certification process
  • Advised compliance officers regarding status of clients
  • Supervised and trained part-time employees
  • Provided technical support

Proofreader/Editor, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC,1995-1996.
  • Compiled documents for publication
  • Edited and proofread articles for The Law Review
  • Consulted with prospective authors

Sales Associate, Lechters Housewares, Durham NC, 1995-1996.

Student Teaching, Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill NC, 1995.
  • Taught four sections of senior British literature
  • Developed daily lesson and unit plans
  • Developed writing workshops and cooperative learning groups
  • Proofread and edited student papers

Math Tutor, Craven Community College, New Bern NC, Summer 1993.
  • Managed student math lab
  • Tutored all levels of mathematics
  • Instructed students in computer technology
ACTIVITIES
Student North Carolina Association of Educators
President 1995-1996, Membership Chairperson 1994-1995
  • Composed advertisements and designed publicity
  • Planned meetings and scheduled guest speakers
  • Organized membership drives
SKILLS
Proficient with communication, word processing, spreadsheet and database programs
Working knowledge of Spanish
My Computer Skills | Work Sample #1 | Work Sample #2 | Freelancing
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