Laura Juska

        as Caroline Wright

About Me

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Metro Detroit creative with Northeast Ohio roots. Love poetry, books,

nature, and learning new skills.
If you have a project, I'll deliver

practical content with precision.

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"Big Picture"
Personal Philosophy:

It's important to attach
a personal note with a gift.

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Societal Obstacle:

Price of greeting cards is forcing people to forgo personal notes when gift-giving.

Plan for Changing the World:

Develop sustainable method and

use of reusable greeting cards.

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Senior Communications Professional

ACHIEVEMENTS 

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• Awarded "Unsung Hero" award at Concentrix (January 2021) for audit, update and improvement of 100+ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while highlighting key areas of opportunity for our client

• Personal poetry blog, "Dating a Poet," listed among Top 100 Poetry Blogs, Websites & Influencers in 2021 by Feedspot.com

• Featured poet on WEMU (89.1) All Things Considered local segment for National Poetry Month (2019)

• Publication of seven original poems in various literary journals/magazines in 2019 (e.g., Third Wednesday, Wayne Literary Review, Nerve Cowboy)

• Chief Editor for Wrinkles Wallace children's book series, 2012-2019

• Collaborated on two book projects related to Lithuanian history which were translated to Lithuanian language (Day of Shame by Al Ruksenas and How I Became A Comrade: An American Growing Up in Siberian Exile by John Armonas), 2015-2016

• Authored 148-page collection of poetry, Chemistry, Not Science: A Book of Poems, Published 2015

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EXPERIENCE

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CONCENTRIX

Sr. Communications Specialist, July 2021-Present                                                                     

• Develop global communications strategies and manage multiple editorial calendars for organization’s HR group (Talent, Compensation, Payroll, Data Analytics, Community & Culture, Regional Marketing)

• Schedule and distribute HR-related communications for upwards of 270,000 staff; manage 17+ language translations whenever needed

• Create direct, thoughtful, clear, on-brand communications in a distributed manner using multiple communication channels (employee intranet, social media, weekly digital newsletter, Workday portal, etc.)

• Responsibilities include content writing, copywriting, copyediting, design concept, project management, and delegation of work to content and creative teams to ensure all deliverables are completed, accurate, and on time

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CONCENTRIX

Content & Technical Writer, December 2017-July 2021                                                                

• Supported operational leadership, client representatives and cross-functional teams in the evaluation, recommendation, establishment, implementation, and analysis of current and new business procedures 

• Crafted automotive client's user manual for new technical assistance Case Management System (CMS), through which all service requests are initiated by the client's North American dealership personnel to-date

• Developed online help desk portal content for client's new CMS 

• Published monthly, internal-facing department newsletters (a department first); initiated and developed business flowcharts to accompany written documentation; managed department's online, cloud-based content system

• Produced training documentation for new software launches and conducted training on department's content management on a quarterly basis

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MERIDIA PUBLISHERS
Publications Manager, April 2017-Present

• Remotely manage multiple aspects of print and digital publishing process, including working with third-party vendors: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Lightning Source, Wordzworth

• Create and manage product-related websites, blogs, podcasts, social media accounts, and manage visitor analytics using SEO, Google Analytics, and MailChimp

• Use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat to create and revise excerpts, newsletters, fliers, advertisements, landing pages, ad campaigns

• Prepare marketing funnels using free downloadable PDF excerpts of individual books on company and individual product websites

• Work closely with co-owner and other content managers to develop creative strategies, concepts, and campaigns to promote product sales and overall business growth

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Editor, January 2010-Present

• Proofread manuscripts, web and social media content, marketing materials, and advertising copy for grammar and accuracy

• Check copy for grammatical, spelling and typographical errors

• Mark up copy with standard proofreading marks to notify writers and publications manager of necessary changes

• Suggest words and phrases to improve content for works of non-fiction, fiction, children’s books, poetry, plus business-related copy for marketing and advertising campaigns, press releases, fliers, email, and social media content

• Check words, phrases, and logos against copyright and intellectual property guidelines

• Work with print and digital manuscripts and publications

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FREELANCE

Blogger, February 2016-Present

• Maintain poetry and relationship blog containing print, video, and audio content that also features art from around the world

• Use SEO and Google Analytics, plus platform-specific analytics to track reader activity

• Guest blogger for ThirtyOnTap, an online lifestyle blog

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Writer & Editor, June 2016-Present

• Develop original content or edit existing content for individuals and businesses based on client’s individual needs, including originals and rewrites (work includes personal biographies, content for book flaps, marketing emails and newsletters, websites/blogs and social media content)

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Editor of Photography, December 2014 - April 2015

• Restored historical photographs using Adobe Photoshop for Michigan-based fine art photographer

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SMILE AMERICA PARTNERS 

Special Projects Writer, Summer 2017

• Worked closely with Operations Managers to update and digitize employee manuals using Google Drive/Google Docs

• Worked with CEO to conceptualize content for online portal and forums aimed to connect employees across the U.S.

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Talent Acquisitions Recruiter, Summer 2016​​

• Revised employment-related job ads and job descriptions leading to elevated candidate pool

• Performed in top 5% of recruiters for company

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NEW BEGINNINGS ACADEMY

Program Director, August 2010-May 2014​

• Co-organized program’s launch in 2007 which included research and proposal of initial grant

• Created Parent/Student Handbook, marketing brochures, progress reports, weekly newsletters, and other content related to program implementation and administration 

• Wrote grant proposal for Child and Adult Food Care Program and maintained compliance reports once grant was initiated

• Managed school's parent blog

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Lead Preschool Teacher, December 2007-June 2009; August 2010-May 2014

• Wrote curriculum and lesson plans for preschool with focus on kindergarten readiness

• Maintained program capacity with waiting list for four consecutive years (2010-2014)

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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

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THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 

Patient and Family Advisory Committee Volunteer, Summer 2021-Present                                   

• Help improve the patient experience and quality of care for those seeking care at U of M by providing feedback based on individual experiences as a patient or family member

• Work with practice team for either short or long-term commitments, depending on project

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WRITERS OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (WritersofSEMI) 

Founder and Organizer, 2017- Present

• Run monthly writing group to support local writers with ongoing creative projects

EDUCATION

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EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
July 2010-December 2016

• M.A. in Educational Media & Technology

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BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE
August 2002-May 205

• B.S. in Early Childhood Education

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