Joseph Olenick
Sanborn
Summary
A communications professional with more than 11 years of experience in copywriting and editing for social media, print, and digital media. Proven ability to craft compelling narratives and high-quality content that engages audiences.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Customs Trade Specialist
FedEx Trade Networks
10.2024 - Current
- Managed documentation for customs clearance, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of submissions
- Handled digital entries that involved "high-risk" shipments
- Audited other digital entries for accuracy
Contributor, Independent Contractor
FanSided Jays Journal, owned by Minute Media
04.2024 - Current
- Contract work in free time as contributing writer providing coverage of Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball
- Creating content on Voltax platform, which allows for use of video and social media posts in content, as well as creation of deep links and use of SEO, publishing articles resulting in more than 100,000 online views
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, Windows XP, Photoshop, Facebook, X, and general Internet usage.
Customs Trade Coordinator
FedEx Trade Networks
07.2019 - 09.2024
- Create digital customs entries for items being shipped to US
- Stay up-to-date on customs regulations, as well as special instructions requested by customers, mainly Stryker Corporation and General Electric's healthcare divisions
- Awarded FedEx Bravo Zulu Award (April 2024) for exemplary performance above and beyond normal job responsibilities.
Night/City Editor
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, Niagara Gazette, both owned by CNHI
07.2014 - 09.2018
- Lined up stories and figured out design for next day's print and digital editions, while editing and proofing pages
- Exclusively handled paper's Facebook page and X page, while editing and uploading content to paper's website through use of content management system called Town News or BLOX
- Worked with news staff of four to seven, provides feedback and advice
- Stepped in and handled managing editor's duties when needed, which includes running staff meetings and assigning stories
- Also provided general reporting and sports coverage when staff was shorthanded
- Served on Union-Sun & Journal's editorial board, discussing and writing editorials
- Ability to take initiative as seen when promoted to night/city editor, took it upon self to improve paper's social media presence, mainly through Facebook and X
- Excellent prioritizing and organizational skills used to meet deadlines and function effectively within rigid timeframes as well as possessing the flexibility to handle the spontaneous such as breaking news.
Staff Reporter
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
10.2007 - 06.2014
- Wrote stories in an interesting, clear, and concise way while complying with strict deadlines; published in print, online and in quarterly magazine, Faces & Places
- Extensively covered activities of six public school districts, Town of Lockport, city of Lockport after working as a business and general assignment reporter
- Assignments included stories that localized state or national issues or trends, sometimes economic or banking stories, as well as exploring how certain events or trends would affect local schools or businesses
- Often covered other assignments including politics, local and Niagara County government, community events, police, and courts
- Responsible for finding own stories or deciding how to present special coverage for recurring events, such as graduation or school district elections
- Skill of taking on new or additional responsibilities: 1-2 days per week assumed the role of Night Editor while employed as a reporter
- Strong verbal and written communication skills needed to obtain information from interviews, sources and/or research and present this information in an understandable format for a diverse group of readers.
Education
Master of Arts - Strategic Communication
National University
San Diego, CA08.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Communication And Journalism
Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NY05.2006
Skills
- Deadline Management
- Feature Writing
- Proofreading
- Copy Editing
- Gathering information
- Researching information
- Excellent communication abilities
- Copywriting and editing
Timeline
Customs Trade Specialist
FedEx Trade Networks
10.2024 - Current
Contributor, Independent Contractor
FanSided Jays Journal, owned by Minute Media
04.2024 - Current
Customs Trade Coordinator
FedEx Trade Networks
07.2019 - 09.2024
Night/City Editor
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, Niagara Gazette, both owned by CNHI
07.2014 - 09.2018
Staff Reporter
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
10.2007 - 06.2014
Master of Arts - Strategic Communication
National University
Bachelor of Arts - Communication And Journalism
Buffalo State University