Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Claire Van Aken

Jacksonville,IL

Summary

Dynamic communication professional with experience at the Illinois Senate, excelling in promotional material development and press release writing. Proven ability in relationship building and public speaking, complemented by strong creative writing skills. Successfully managed event logistics, enhancing engagement and awareness through strategic initiatives.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience

Work History

Events & Engagement Communication Intern

Illinois Senate
Springfield, IL
05.2024 - Current
  • Assisted in the development of promotional materials, such as brochures and flyers.
  • Managed daily office operations including filing documents, answering phones, responding to emails.
  • Leveraged CMS platforms, content editing and basic design tools to complete assigned tasks.
  • Assisted with press release writing and distribution to support event promotion.
  • Drafted reports summarizing progress of projects or campaigns.
  • Arranged public appearances, contests or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or promote goodwill.

Office Manager Intern

Ware Brands
Jacksonville, IL
12.2024 - 01.2025
  • Coordinated special events such as team building activities or holiday parties.
  • Assisted with organizing and coordinating office operations, procedures, and resources to facilitate organizational effectiveness.
  • Performed data entry tasks such as entering invoices into accounting software.
  • Maintained accurate filing systems for all documents related to the office.
  • Managed incoming calls and emails in a timely manner, ensuring customer service excellence.

Event Assistant

WJVO/WJIL
Jacksonville, IL
11.2021 - 08.2022
  • Organized materials, cleaned facilities and set up equipment to prepare for events.
  • Sold and collected admission tickets and passes from patrons at entertainment events.
  • Recorded details of attendance or sales activities.
  • Purchased, rented or requisitioned entertainment or gaming necessities.
  • Answered questions about game rules and establishment policies.

Broadcast Journalist

WJVO/WJIL
Jacksonville, IL
11.2021 - 08.2022
  • Compiled scripts, program notes and other material related to productions.
  • Conferred with technical directors, crew members and writers to discuss details of production.
  • Remained composed, polished and highly productive, even during moments of extreme stress to achieve optimal results.
  • Studied scripts and made revisions and changes for improvement to produce highly successful programs.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Public Relations

Illinois State University
Normal, IL
05.2025

Skills

  • Decision making and problem-solving
  • Background research
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Relationship building
  • Customer service
  • Script writing
  • Social media management
  • Time management
  • Creative writing
  • Production operations
  • Public speaking
  • Team collaboration
  • Critical thinking
  • Public relations

Accomplishments

  • Successfully planned and promoted several events on-air.
  • Promoted from Broadcast Journalist Intern to Broadcast Journalist, in less than 12-months.
  • Chaired philanthropy event with Delta Zeta Sorority, Lambda Rho Chapter.
  • Planned and managed more than ten events simultaneously within four to six weeks.
  • Dance Team Captain; two consecutive years in high school, two state championships, one sectional title.
  • Multiple national, state, sectional, and regional titles for competitive dance.
  • The Source Newspaper 2017 writing contest winner.
  • Planned, executed, and managed Illinois Senator Terri Bryant and Dale Fowler's events.
  • Strawn Art Gallery; Beaux Arts Ball Queen 2024

Timeline

Office Manager Intern

Ware Brands
12.2024 - 01.2025

Events & Engagement Communication Intern

Illinois Senate
05.2024 - Current

Event Assistant

WJVO/WJIL
11.2021 - 08.2022

Broadcast Journalist

WJVO/WJIL
11.2021 - 08.2022

Bachelor of Science - Public Relations

Illinois State University

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