James Williams
New York,NY
Summary
A dedicated Journalism student that prioritizes ethics and thorough research above all, with experience as a member of a communications team and leader of a newsroom. Extensive knowledge of AP style, editing procedures and a skilled writer/photographer. Highly adaptable to any environment and a quick learner.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Editor-in-Chief
The Torch, St. John's Student Newspaper
Queens, New York
04.2025 - Current
- Managed a team of student editors, writers and other staff members responsible for creating high-quality content.
- Oversaw editorial board to ensure high-quality content production.
- Edited articles for clarity, style and adherence to publication guidelines.
- Collaborated with graphic designers to align visuals with editorial content.
- Provided guidance on writing style, AP style, grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and other aspects of copywriting.
- Prepared, rewrote and edited articles to improve readability.
Sports Editor
The Torch
Queens, New York
01.2025 - 04.2025
- Reported real-time pre and post-game coverage of sporting events.
- Conducted interviews with athletes and coaches to gather firsthand insights.
- Researched sports trends and news for accurate reporting and analysis.
- Reviewed submissions from contributing writers for quality and fit with editorial vision.
- Oversaw social media posts to promote articles and engage with readers.
- Mentored reporters to tailor sport-specific content to audiences and platforms.
Assistant Sports Editor
The Torch
Queens, New York
04.2024 - 01.2025
- Attended campus sporting events for firsthand reporting and coverage opportunities.
- Helped editor assign stories and distributed work to individual reporters.
- Reviewed submissions for adherence to editorial guidelines and standards.
Intern
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Hanover, MD
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Drafted social media posts and created videos with eye for viral content strategies.
- Edited press releases for company announcements and scripts in social media content.
- Assisted in creating content for social media platforms.
- Collaborated with team to develop internal communication strategies.
Retail Cashier
Penn Cinema
Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
2021 - 2023
- Operated cash register and processed customer transactions efficiently.
- Assisted customers in selecting merchandise and answering product inquiries.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of checkout area and merchandise displays.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
St. John's University
Jamaica, New York, NY05.2027
High School Diploma -
Council Rock High School South
Pennsylvania06.2023
Skills
- Content creation
- Editorial management
- Team collaboration
- Social media strategy
- Research analysis
- Copy editing
- Editorial judgment
Writing Samples
- The St. John's Men's Basketball team's outright victory of the 2025 Big East Regular Season Championship: https://www.torchonline.com/sports/2025/03/01/st-johns-big-east-regular-season-title/
- An interview with 2025 NYC Mayoral Candidate Zellnor Myrie: https://www.torchonline.com/news/2025/03/30/zellnor-myrie/
- St. John's Men's Basketball team's repeat as Big East Champions: https://www.torchonline.com/sports/2026/03/07/st-johns-repeat-as-big-east-champions/
- A list of my top five films of 2025: https://www.torchonline.com/culture/2026/01/12/the-best-movies-of-2025/
- A detailed history and explanation of St. John's University's new (and controversial) practice facility: https://www.torchonline.com/news/2025/12/10/everything-to-know-about-the-new-practice-facility-and-student-recreation-center/
Timeline
Editor-in-Chief
The Torch, St. John's Student Newspaper
04.2025 - Current
Sports Editor
The Torch
01.2025 - 04.2025
Assistant Sports Editor
The Torch
04.2024 - 01.2025
Intern
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
06.2023 - 08.2023
Retail Cashier
Penn Cinema
2021 - 2023
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
St. John's University
High School Diploma -
Council Rock High School South