Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
ACTIVITIES
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Makayla Gray

Journalist
Orlando,FL
Makayla Gray

Summary

My portfolio: https://sites.google.com/view/makayla-grays-portfolio/home

With a keen attention to detail and exceptional communication and leadership skills, I've written and edited an array of stories. I have a strong desire to learn quickly and excel in any outlet, and a positive personality that allows me to work well under pressure.

I will be attending Georgetown University in August to pursue a master's degree in journalism. I will be relocating to DC upon beginning my professional studies program.

Overview

3
years of professional experience

Work History

The Charge News

Editor-in-Chief
01.2025 - Current

Job overview

  • Oversees 145 journalism students in writing and reporting within proper journalistic and ethical standards
  • Publishes stories, photo galleries and video for online publication
  • Leads a team of 15 editors to enhance story quality and teach journalism skills to reporters
  • Develops and enhances stories and pitches
  • Leverages SEO strategies to optimize URL keywords

Oviedo Community News

Freelance Reporter, hired after internship
05.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Covers Oviedo City Council and the county school board
  • Played an integral role in developing the nationally awarded 2024 Voter's Guide
  • Collaborates with public information officers to secure public records

Society of Professional Journalists UCF

President
06.2024 - 05.2025

Job overview

  • Facilitated and coordinated club meetings for UCF's nationally recognized campus chapter
  • Orchestrated tasks for the executive board, fostering collaboration and strategic goal alignment

Centric Magazine

Editor-in-Chief
08.2023 - 12.2023

Job overview

  • Edited content and copy for all stories both digital and print
  • Directed 16 staff writers by allocating tasks through tailored assignment letters
  • Provided efficient leadership skills to ensure magazine printed on deadline
  • Launched and operated a staff Slack channel

Sanford Herald

Intern
06.2023 - 10.2023

Job overview

  • Researched arrest reports and documents using county database
  • Wrote various evergreen and feature stories highlighting members of the community

Ocala Gazette

News Reporter
10.2022 - 03.2023

Job overview

  • Reviewed and interpreted city council agendas and governmental documents
  • Reported on and wrote stories for city council meetings
  • Conducted remote interviews with city council officials

Education

University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Bachelor of Arts from Journalism B.A.
05.2025

University Overview

GPA: 3.6, minors in creative writing and dance

  • Dean's List recipient
  • Elected vice president of dance club

Sunlake High School
Land O Lakes, FL

High School Diploma
06.2021

University Overview

  • Editor-in-Chief of yearbook 2020-2021
  • Yearbook section editor 2018-2020

Skills

  • Proficient in AP style
  • Skillful in using iMovie for video editing
  • Knowledgeable in creating broadcast scripts, VOs and packages
  • Well-versed in Blox CMS software
  • Strong-suited for content creation for social media
  • Advanced coordination displayed through hosting internship career fair for UCF's journalism program

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES
  • Former Copy Editor for Strike Magazine Orlando
  • Historian of NABJ UCF
  • Former Social Media Assistant for Strike Magazine Orlando's Instagram and TikTok
  • Part-time leasing agent for Orlando apartment complex July 2022-May 2025

Timeline

Editor-in-Chief
The Charge News
01.2025 - Current
President
Society of Professional Journalists UCF
06.2024 - 05.2025
Freelance Reporter, hired after internship
Oviedo Community News
05.2024 - Current
Editor-in-Chief
Centric Magazine
08.2023 - 12.2023
Intern
Sanford Herald
06.2023 - 10.2023
News Reporter
Ocala Gazette
10.2022 - 03.2023
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Arts from Journalism B.A.
Sunlake High School
High School Diploma