Tom Beck
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
I am a Philadelphia-based journalist and graduate of Temple University who is currently a reporter for the Chestnut Hill Local, but I freelance a little on the side. My byline can be found in lots of places, like PhillyMag, PoliticsPA, 88.5 WXPN's The Key, Philadelphia Weekly, PHAWKER and a few others.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Reporter
Chestnut Hill Local
09.2021 - Current
- Writes and submits anywhere from two to five accurate, engaging and fact-checked stories per issue
- Takes compelling photographs that illustrate the story being told
- Interacts with residents and neighborhood leaders to cultivate story ideas
- Goes to neighborhood community meetings, including zoning meetings, to help stay on top of development in the neighborhood
- Keeps in regular contact with sources across Chestnut Hill's development and political scenes and beyond to stay on top of and break stories for the Local's readers
- Collaborates with my editor to produce well-rounded and comprehensive news coverage
- Makes public requests to produce more in-depth investigative stories
- Looks up campaign finance information for candidates to better understand the flow of money in Philadelphia's political system
Mover
Dolly
02.2018 - Current
- Move furniture and boxes using proper lifting techniques.
- Communicate with customers courteously and professionally to maintain satisfaction.
- Maneuver items carefully through narrow hallways and doorways to prevent damage.
- Clean and maintain truck and other equipment to maintain optimum working condition.
Freelance Journalist
Various Publications
05.2015 - Current
- Write, edit and produce stories for print and digital platforms like WXPN, Philadelphia Weekly and Philadelphia magazine.
- Evaluate and followed up on news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.
- Pursue and developed stories independently and for assignment, covering range of topics.
- Photographed concerts and other big events.
- Researched and gathered information to develop accurate and credible stories.
Investigative Journalist
Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation
05.2023 - 06.2023
- Helped facilitate the creation of one episode in a ten-part documentary series on Israel's judicial reform
- Helped locate and contact various political figures around Philadelphia who could speak to Jeffrey Yass' influence on Philadelphia-area politics
- Helped convince several regular sources to go on camera for the documentary
- Worked under tight deadlines to turn around assignments quick for producers
Associate Editor
Newspaper Media Group
05.2017 - 09.2021
- Wrote and reported articles for the South Philly Review and Star Community Newsweekly, including breaking news articles and longer-form enterprise pieces.
- Photographed for both papers
- Networked with members of both communities and built a repertoire of sources
- Interacted with Philadelphia City Councilmembers and their staffs.
- Became an expert in the city's zoning process as a result of regularly reporting on development stories.
News Runner
CBS Radio
07.2016 - 07.2016
- Acted as an extra pair of hands for the CBS Radio team during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
- Ran errands for various employees throughout company, including transporting supplies from the news tent to the radio booth and helped set up and break down audio equipment.
Peer Writing Tutor
Temple University's Fox School Of Business
02.2014 - 05.2015
- Assisted students, many of whom are international students with limited English speaking/writing abilities, with writing essays for various business school classes.
- Gained skills in cross-cultural communication.
- Helped with the creation of a grammar-oriented handbook designed to teach students helpful ways of eliminating grammar errors.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA12.2015
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA05.2013
Skills
- Writing
- Editing
- Photography
- Developing sources
- Teamwork
- Cross-cultural communication
- Public records requests
- Data verification
- Social media management
Internships
Completed nine internships while earning my bachelor's in journalism at Temple. I interned at the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, Philadelphia Weekly, 88.5 WXPN (twice), Magnet Magazine, Phawker, PhillyMag, PoliticsPA, and City A.M. while studying abroad in London, England.
Timeline
Investigative Journalist
Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation
05.2023 - 06.2023
Reporter
Chestnut Hill Local
09.2021 - Current
Mover
Dolly
02.2018 - Current
Associate Editor
Newspaper Media Group
05.2017 - 09.2021
News Runner
CBS Radio
07.2016 - 07.2016
Freelance Journalist
Various Publications
05.2015 - Current
Peer Writing Tutor
Temple University's Fox School Of Business
02.2014 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Temple University
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Montgomery County Community College
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