Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
OTHER INVOLVEMENT
Timeline
Generic

Sydney Dawes

Dayton

Summary

Mission-drive, solutions-focused storyteller with expertise in investigative reporting, news writing, and multimedia news coverage. Strong focus on team collaboration and delivering impactful stories that resonate with audiences. Excels at adapting to changing newsroom needs and meeting tight deadlines. Skilled in research, interviewing, and content creation with keen eye for detail and accuracy

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Montgomery County Reporter

Dayton Daily News
04.2023 - Current
  • Analyzes data found through public records requests and other reports to determine the scope of an issue and its overall impact on community stakeholders.
  • Wrote and submitted accurate, engaging, and fact-checked stories.
  • Developed expertise in covering various beats, demonstrating versatility and adaptability as a reporter.
  • Participated in community events as a representative of the publication, fostering positive relationships between the news outlet and its audience members.
  • Established credibility with sources by building strong relationships, resulting in exclusive interviews and scoops.

Clark/Champaign County Reporter

Springfield News-Sun
07.2021 - 04.2023
  • Crafted front-page and inside stories on topics of health, crime, courts, government and other issues that impact two counties of roughly 180,000 residents.
  • Utilized strong multitasking skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks, ensuring timely completion of each assignment.
  • Researched and gathered information to develop accurate and credible stories.
  • Adapted writing style for diverse audiences across print, online, and multimedia platforms.
  • Utilized social media channels to promote articles and interact with readers, increasing online engagement rates.

Editor

The Athens News
04.2020 - 06.2021
  • Designed a weekly publication with a circulation of 8,000, with a diversity of sections ranging from local news to arts and entertainment.
  • Utilized social media accounts during the pandemic to schedule posts and engage with a diverse community to report on topics that matter to people with widely different incomes, political ideals and cultural backgrounds.
  • Enhanced publication quality by diligently proofreading and editing articles for grammar, spelling, and consistency.
  • Collaborated with writers to improve content structure and clarity, resulting in increased reader engagement.
  • Oversaw the production process, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget constraints.
  • Managed content calendar to ensure timely publication of articles and features.

Staff Journalist, Editor

The Vinton-Jackson Courier
01.2018 - 11.2020
  • Produced news content covering a variety of beats (crime, court, education, village/county government, environment, health, features) for a website and weekly print product.
  • Led a small team of writers while working with a designer to meet a weekly deadline.
  • Coordinated company-sponsored events that helped community members understand who their local reporters were and what the newspaper’s mission was.
  • Conducted thorough fact-checking of all written materials, maintaining the integrity of published content.
  • Boosted social media presence by creating and sharing engaging content relevant to current news trends.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Journalism, Political Science and World Religion

Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
01-2017

Skills

  • Reporting news
  • Video editing
  • Copywriting
  • AP Style
  • Social media management
  • Copy-editing
  • Transcribing
  • Storytelling
  • Records requests
  • CMS
  • Public speaking and speech writing
  • Microsoft Teams and other teleconference programs
  • Fact-checking
  • On-scene reporting
  • Building professional relationships
  • Conducting interviews
  • Gathering information
  • Breaking news expertise
  • Content management systems
  • Audience engagement
  • Investigative reporting
  • Multimedia journalism
  • Social media platforms
  • Cultural awareness
  • Search engine optimization
  • Feature writing
  • News writing
  • Public records research
  • Source building
  • WordPress
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Social News Desk

OTHER INVOLVEMENT

  • Dayton Area of Chamber of Commerce: Generation Dayton Ignite 2024 cohort graduate

Timeline

Montgomery County Reporter

Dayton Daily News
04.2023 - Current

Clark/Champaign County Reporter

Springfield News-Sun
07.2021 - 04.2023

Editor

The Athens News
04.2020 - 06.2021

Staff Journalist, Editor

The Vinton-Jackson Courier
01.2018 - 11.2020

Bachelor of Science - Journalism, Political Science and World Religion

Ohio University

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