Robin Finesmith
Chicago,IL
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Reporter
National Public Radio
01.1990 - Current
- Contributed news reports and features for broadcast on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Performance Today
- Contributed news stories and features to Voice of America, Public Radio International's The World, and NBC Radio
- Reported on environmental issues for NPR's Living on Earth and the Great Lakes Radio Consortium
- Covered the Sam Sheppard DNA trial for the Christian Science Monitor's MonitorRadio
- Wrote features for the Chicago Daily Herald
Senior Journalist
NewsXPartners Corporation
01.2022 - Current
- WrIte and edit SEO-optimized news releases, topical articles, product reviews, and editorials for digital publications in health and wellness sector
- Interview and profile social media influencers
- Contract remote
Content Writer
Pearson Educational Measurement
01.2005 - 01.2022
- Researched, wrote, and edited informational articles, biographies, fiction, and poetry passages for state-based large scale reading comprehension assessments and state curriculum tests
- Qualified scorer for ACT and SAT Writing Tests
- Contract remote
News Reporter
Journal and Topics Newspapers
Des Plaines, Illinois
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Covered Village of Glenview Board of Trustees; wrote and edited news releases and feature stories on education, environmental issues, local government, historic preservation, and the arts for chain of 14 community newspapers serving more than two dozen Northwest Chicago communities
- Reported on District 26 Board of Education; wrote weekly education column on Des Plaines schools and editorial endorsements of local school board candidates
- Part-time
Broadcast Journalism Faculty
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Drafted new writing competency standards for college-wide Writing Intensive courses as co-chair of Curriculum Committee's Expository Writing Subcommittee
- Taught Writing for Radio, Radio Newscasting, Commercial News Formats, and WCRX Advanced Practicum; developed curriculum for Introduction to Radio Technology
- Broadcast Journalism Advisor
News Reporter / Anchor
WMAQ-Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Generated story ideas; researched, wrote, and edited news copy
- Delivered newscasts on local and national breaking news for morning and evening drive-time shows
- Reported from the field and in-studio, voiced and produced spot news and features
- Co-anchored weekend program; conducted live interviews
- Per diem
Midwest Bureau Chief, NPR's Living on Earth
Cleveland Public Radio WCPN 90.3
Cleveland, Ohio
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Reported on environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes region for NPR's weekly environmental news magazine
- Topics included environmental education, climate change, endocrine disruptors, and urban sprawl, including ecological and cultural aspects of neighborhood redevelopment
- Wrote, edited, and produced radio reports on local public affairs, including the state takeover of Cleveland schools, public housing, welfare reform, and legal issues for the Ohio Public Radio network
- Anchored election coverage; produced and edited local news magazines, panel discussions, and live remotes
News and Public Affairs Producer
Iowa Public Radio WSUI AM 910
Iowa City, Iowa
01.1987 - 01.1994
- Reported on education, legal affairs, the arts, and cultural issues for Iowa Public Radio
- Coordinated news department coverage of Midwest century floods
- Hired, trained, and supervised student announcing staff
- Anchored local broadcast of NPR's Morning Edition
Timeline
Senior Journalist
NewsXPartners Corporation
01.2022 - Current
Content Writer
Pearson Educational Measurement
01.2005 - 01.2022
News Reporter
Journal and Topics Newspapers
01.2001 - 01.2004
Broadcast Journalism Faculty
Columbia College Chicago
01.2000 - 01.2001
News Reporter / Anchor
WMAQ-Chicago
01.1998 - 01.1999
Midwest Bureau Chief, NPR's Living on Earth
Cleveland Public Radio WCPN 90.3
01.1995 - 01.1998
Freelance Reporter
National Public Radio
01.1990 - Current
News and Public Affairs Producer
Iowa Public Radio WSUI AM 910
01.1987 - 01.1994
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