Teaching Fellow. Yale University, Summer Session, Programs Abroad. New Haven, CT; Cape Town, South Africa. Summers 2015 – 2026.
- Served as Teaching Fellow for summer session study-abroad course AFST S350 / FLM S3440 / HLTH S350: Visual Approaches to Global Health in Cape Town, South Africa
- Worked closely with course instructor to design, develop, and implement lesson plans based on course goals and initiatives
- Supervised and maintained student safety for duration of travel throughout South Africa
- Supplemented instructor’s expertise in epidemiology and filmmaking with my own expertise in literary theory, health humanities, creative writing, and crafting narratives by selecting required readings, leading class discussions, and delivering lectures on said topics
- Assisted course instructor with updating presentations and handouts, grading student assignments, and other similar work including evaluating overall student performance
- Assisted students during fieldwork involving interviewing, filming, etc.
- Oversaw various administrative tasks including expense reporting, event documentation, coordinating transport, and serving as course liaison to local student residences
- Served in the same role for the same summer session study-abroad course for every summer the course has been held since 2015 (summers of 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2026) in Johannesburg, South Africa and/or Mbabane, Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland)
- Read more about my teaching experience.
Graduate Teaching Fellow. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of English and Comparative Literature. Chapel Hill, NC. Aug. 2017 – May 2026.
- Taught various in-person and remote undergraduate courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, providing instruction on writing across disciplines, genres, and modalities; on conducting original research; and on literary analysis, serving sometimes as sole instructor-of-record (ENGL 105, 105i, 123, 148) and at other times as a Teaching Assistant for larger undergraduate courses (ENGL 268, CMPL 143, IDST 121)
- Earned teaching award for graduate student instructor for providing mentorship and teaching to undergraduate students (April 2022)
- Elected to UNC Writing Program’s Peer Mentoring Committee (PMC) to observe fellow graduate student instructors and provide guidance and feedback regarding pedagogy and classroom management (2023 – 2024)
- Provided undergraduate student with independent study instruction via SPCL 395 so she could graduate on time (Fall 2019)
- Collaborated with program Director and other instructors to design and implement course goals and needs
- Met with students outside of class during office hours to provide supplemental assistance and instruction
- Networked and coordinated with other scholars in my field to stay current regarding the latest scholarly research
- Conducted my own original research via conference presentations, academic publications, and ongoing work on my graduate thesis
- Read more about my teaching experience.
Summer Reading Teacher. Institute of Reading Development. Chapel Hill, NC. Summer 2023, 2019, 2018.
- Taught separate online summer classes on reading development for all ages, including elementary, middle school, and high school students as well as college students and adults
- Taught students to achieve fluency in reading and comprehension of reading materials via phonics games and exercises, book activities, assisted reading, and direct instruction with word-attack skills and long-word decoding skills
- Assisted students in achieving absorption in imaginative literature and identification with characters in literature via class discussions, partner exercises, and direct instruction in concepts of story structure, characters, setting, and plot
- Provided older students with writing instruction on sentence structure, main ideas, grammar, and detail via direct instruction, exercises, and writing workshops as part of the Institute’s pilot writing program
- Taught older students strategies for reading and studying textbooks and other nonfiction as well as speed reading and reporting techniques to improve concentration, comprehension, and recall
- Assessed students’ decoding skills, reading comprehension and recall, and reading speeds throughout the program, providing feedback and adjustments as necessary through collaborative discussions with students and their parents
- Served in a similar capacity as a substitute reading teacher for the Institute’s in-person classes during the summer of 2019 and as a full-time reading teacher for the Institute’s in-person classes during the summer of 2018
- Read more about my teaching experience.
Founding Director, Senior Writing Consultant. Blom Writing Services. New Lenox, IL and then Chapel Hill, NC. May 2011 – July 2023.
- Provided basic copyediting services, educational copyediting services, and substantive editing services through email correspondence to clients across the country for almost any form of writing including academic writing, marketing and promotions, creative writing, and grant proposals
- Provided tutorial instruction to local area clients via face-to-face appointments on various forms of academic writing, creative writing, business writing, test-taking and presentation skills, and English literature (first in the Chicagoland area and then in the NC Triangle area)
- Generated original content for professional clients for the purposes of web marketing, instructions, or training
- Provided a variety of other services to academic and professional clients including, but not limited to, data entry, document design, basic website construction, and the transcription of recorded footage
- Solicited and recruited new clients through a variety of print media and online marketing campaigns such as designing and distributing flyers, brochures, and business cards; designing and building the Blom Writing Services website; and maintaining a regular social media presence to promote the brand
- Read more about my editorial experience.
Fiction Editor. The Carolina Quarterly literary magazine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill, NC. Jan. 2018 – May 2022.
- Compiled and read all submissions of short fiction (receiving about two or three submissions per day throughout the year)
- Selected pieces of short fiction for publication as a monthly online feature or for publication in quarterly hard-copy issues
- Corresponded with authors to edit their pieces to prepare for publication
- Submitted final proofs for online or hard-copy publication
- Coordinated with fiction intern and fiction readers to ensure all relevant correspondence and inquiries were regularly addressed
- Served as Fiction Editor for the following issues:
- Spring/Summer 2018, Volume 67.2
- Fall/Winter 2018, Volume 68.1
- Spring/Summer 2019, Volume 68.2
- Fall 2019, Volume 69.1
- Winter 2020, Volume 69.2
- Spring 2020, Volume 69.3
- Summer 2020, Volume 69.4
- Fall 2020, Volume 70.1
- Winter 2021, Volume 70.2
- Spring/Summer 2021, Volume 70.3
- Fall 2021, Volume 71.1
- Winter 2022, Volume 71.2
- Summer 2022, Volume 71.3
- Read more about my editorial experience.
Academic Writing Tutor. Academic Support Program for Student Athletes (ASPSA), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill, NC. Dec. 2017 – May 2019.
- Provided individual or group tutorial instruction to UNC student-athletes on various forms of academic writing via face-to-face appointments on a recurring or walk-in basis
- Maintained consistent and confidential records of all student appointments, tracking attendance and progress
- Collaborated with other members of the tutoring staff for ongoing professional development to further improve tutorial practices
- Abided by all NCAA rules, regulations, and policies regarding the instruction of collegiate student-athletes
Carpenter’s Assistant. Krohn Construction. New Lenox, IL. April 2013 to July 2017.
- Loaded and unloaded company truck in preparation for jobs
- Drove company truck to various job sites throughout New Lenox and the surrounding towns
- Assisted carpenters on a variety of home improvement projects including demolition, roofing, windows, gutters, siding, doors, flooring, framing, plumbing, and electrical
Customer Service Associate. Lowe’s Home Improvement, Store #2580. New Lenox, IL. Feb. 2013 – July 2017.
- Assisted store customers in selecting and locating particular products
- Facilitated communication between store customers and department specialists for project advice and special orders
- Unloaded, sorted, and organized displays of new or replenished stock
- Assisted power equipment operators as a “spotter,” ensuring that all proper safety protocols were followed while loading, unloading, or moving stock
- Assisted store customers with loading large purchases into their vehicles
- Provided a variety of specialized product services to store customers including cutting keys, trimming blinds and other window treatments, cutting lengths of rope or chain, and mixing custom paint selections
Business Manager. The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL), DePaul University. Chicago, IL. June 2010 – May 2011.
- Worked closely with Directorship to develop and implement goals and initiatives
- Audited and approved biweekly payroll hours and reconciled payroll discrepancies for a staff of over 100 employees
- Liaised with online scheduler provider to correct problems or request updates or alterations
- Tracked annual and quarterly trends and statistics in writing center appointments, conversation partner appointments, writing group meetings, and writing fellow conferences
- Ensured that all office operations complied with DePaul’s Office of Institutional Compliance
- Coordinated the scheduling of faculty-requested in-class informational presentations and workshops
- Trained all new front desk receptionists to maintain consistency and quality of service, including the composition of an original handbook for all front desk receptionist policies and procedures
- Conducted purchases and requisitions for offices at the Loop and Lincoln Park Campuses and for staff members to travel to and attend academic conferences
Office Manager, Receptionist, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, Academic Writing Tutor. The Writing Center, The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL), DePaul University. Chicago, IL. Sept. 2008 – June 2010.
- Worked closely with Directorship to develop and implement goals and initiatives
- Editor and contributor. The UCWbL Handbook by Elizabeth Coughlin. 2010 – 2011. 30th ed. The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL). DePaul University, Chicago, IL. Aug. 2010.
- Editor and contributor. The Writing Center Handbook for Tutors by Elizabeth Coughlin. 2009 – 2010. 29th ed. The University Center for Writing-based Learning (UCWbL). DePaul University, Chicago, IL. Aug. 2009.
- Coordinated quarterly staff schedules as well as various all-staff functions
- Conducted basic receptionist and administrative duties while supervising shifts of tutors
- Designed and implemented various marketing campaigns and the distribution of various marketing materials
- Coordinated with DePaul organizations and offices for round-table discussions, workshops, and other joint programs
- Tutored DePaul students, faculty, staff, and alumni on various forms of academic writing on an individual basis via face-to-face and online appointments
Associate Book-seller, Magazine Specialist. Books-A-Million, Store #202, Birmingham, AL; Bookland, Store #572, LaGrange, GA. June 2007 – Aug. 2008.
Books-A-Million, Store #202, Birmingham, AL; Bookland, Store #572, LaGrange, GA
- Conducted register transactions with customers while maintaining a balanced cash drawer
- Assisted customers in finding or ordering particular products
- Unloaded, sorted, and placed weekly shipments of new stock
- Advised customers and staff with any magazine-related issues
- Organized and audited magazine section of store on a weekly basis
- Fulfilled customer needs and conducted register transactions during the midnight release of the novel Breaking Dawn and during the midnight release of the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Cashier, Cook, Food-server, Safe Auditor – Dairy Queen, LaGrange, GA Summer 2008
- Audited cash drawers and store safe from previous day’s business
- Prepared cash drawers and bank deposits in preparation for daily business
- Prepared all food service areas at the start of daily business
- Prepared and served food to customers in store and at drive-thru
- Conducted register transactions with customers in store and at drive-thru while maintaining a balanced cash drawer
Prose Editor Aug. 2007 – May 2008
QUAD literary magazine, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, AL
- Solicited prose, poetry, and art submissions from BSC students via advertising and in-class presentations
- Compiled, read, and critiqued all prose submissions including short fiction, creative non-fiction, drama, and essays
- Selected prose pieces for publication and submitted those selections to the Editor-in-Chief
- Coordinated with editorial staff to prepare final draft of issue for publication and to advertise newly published issue
- Distributed new issue to BSC faculty, students, staff, and offices as well as to local Birmingham businesses
Office Assistant, MSDS Coordinator – Kleen-Tex, Inc., LaGrange, GA June 2006 – Jan. 2008
- Proofread and corrected company’s ISO Compliance Manual
- Designed a digital, hyperlinked, interactive flowchart of plant operations for ISO inspection
- Audited all material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for more than one thousand rubber compounds at three plants
- Corresponded with suppliers to request new copies of missing or outdated MSDSs
- Compiled complete collections of all required MSDSs for all three plants in hard copy and digital formats
Academic Writing Tutor Feb. 2006 – May 2007
The Writing Center, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, AL
- Tutored BSC students on various forms of academic writing on an individual basis via face-to-face appointments
- Conducted basic receptionist and office administrative duties
- Served as the primary tutor for English as Second Language (ESL) students
Machinist; Office Assistant – Freudenberg-NOK, LaGrange, GA Summer 2005
- Operated and maintained a prototype machine for extruding, shaping, and cutting rubber
- Supervised the mixing of various rubber compounds
- Compiled a complete collection of all administrative forms and all rubber-mixing specifications currently used in plant operations in both hard copy and digital formats
Cashier, Cook, Food-server – Dairy Queen, LaGrange, GA May 2001 – Dec. 2004
- Prepared all food service areas at the start of daily business; completed all nightly duties at the end of daily business
- Prepared and served food to customers in store and at drive-thru
- Conducted register transactions with customers in store and at drive-thru while maintaining a balanced cash drawer
Soccer Referee Sept. 1998 – April 2001
Troup County Soccer Referee Association (TCSRA), LaGrange, GA Sept.
- Officiated over soccer games as either center referee or assistant referee for the Troup County Parks & Recreation Soccer League as well as the Georgia State Private High School Soccer League and various club soccer tournaments throughout the country for ages ranging from six to seventeen
- Completed and submitted all reports and paperwork immediately after each game
- Maintained certification as a soccer referee through the state of Georgia for three years
