Gareen Simone Puglia
Lover of talk shows, platform shoes, and tea ☕️
Welcome to my portfolio—I'm excited to share the work, projects, and writing I've accomplished. For more information about my projects, work samples, and experience, contact me at g.simonepuglia@berkeley.edu
I am a storyteller
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I have extensive experience working with digital media teams and am a strong writer/editor
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I recently graduated from UC Berkeley earning a Master in Information Management and Systems, with a designated emphasis in New Media Studies
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I've told stories as a journalist, associate producer, writing consultant, radio assistant, and freelance writer
I utilize 5+ years of communications experience to tell bold stories
My writing enhances design and supports the audience
I utilize my humanities background to work at the intersection of storytelling and emerging technology.
For example, I used my strong writing ability at SoFi to promote financial literacy through UX writing. I worked with the Lending Design Team to write across products and update the content design guidelines. I also collaborated with the UX Research Team to conduct qualitative research— I used the findings to inform the copy I wrote.
This research-informed writing approach helps me do what I do best— make complex information digestible and welcoming.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Let's get into it.
December 2023 – Present
Dual Enrollment Registration Assistant
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Coordinate Dual Enrollment for external partners ensuring student paperwork is processed and individuals are enrolled in courses
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Maintain open lines of communication with school partners participating in Dual Enrollment to address all questions regarding course enrollment, class rosters, etc.
July 2020 – Present
WRITE ON! WRITING CONSULTATIONS: FOUNDER AND WRITING CONSULTANT
• Self-started writing consultation service— strengthen personal statements and essays utilizing strong writing and editing skills
• Work with clients from initial brainstorming to sentence-level correctness to strengthen writing and share a compelling narrative
June 2023 – August 2023
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: NATIONAL SECURITY INNOVATION NETWORK FELLOW
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to address a Department of Defense-sponsored project- conducted relevant research for the project sponsor • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to address a Department of Defense-sponsored project- conducted relevant research for the project sponsor
• Created an external communication plan— communicated technical details to non-technical audiences
May 2022- August 2022
SOFI: UX WRITER
Enhanced design of lending products by writing clear and concise copy to guide users and promote financial literacy
Collaborated with Lending Design Team to update copy across products and incorporate SoFi tone and personality in content
Assisted UX Research Team by interviewing SoFi loan officers and synthesizing findings, incorporating recommendations to enhance messaging in home loan products
April 2022- Present
INSIDER REVIEWS: FREELANCE WRITER
Write stories for Insider Reviews in Education Vertical
Review online courses, roller skates, and other products to produce quality service journalism
August 2021 – May 2023
UC BERKELEY: GRADUATE STUDENT TEACHER
Grade discussion posts and assignments for course within the School of Information
Assist the professor with any additional tasks needed to support students
March 2021 – September 2021
BUSINESS INSIDER: STORY PRODUCER
Build stories within the CMS for Insider Reviews, the service journalism team,and e-commerce sector of Insider Inc.
Affiliate links within stories for Product Team and complete production tasks: price checks, story updates, etc.
Researched and presented project to team on how to generate more revenue while publishing stories directly on Amazon
January 2020-June 2020
THE ORANGE PODCAST : ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Assisted with content related tasks: executed focus group for episodes, provided script feedback, and edited narration track using Adobe Audition.
Created and managed social media content on Instagram and Twitter; additionally, collaborated with Moody College of Communication Marketing to create a cohesive and adaptable marketing plan.
June 2019 – August 2019
NBCUNIVERSAL: RETAIL DEVELOPMENT INTERN
Researched franchise release promotions and compiled competitive analysis reports for retail marketing team
Worked with consumer products team to create marketing pitches for Universal IP vaults using Excel, Keynote and other Mac applications
January 2019- December 2019
KUTX 98.9 AUSTIN: DIGITAL INTERN/STUDENT ASSISTANT
Create, schedule and manage social media content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Began as an intern then asked to return as a Student Assistant and continue social media efforts as well write blog posts for website
January 2019- May 2020
UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER: UNDERGRADUATE WRITING CONSULTANT
Practice non-directive, non-evaluative method of peer tutoring to assist University of Texas students work through the writing process
Completed consultants for a variety of major and subject matters: STEM writing, professional applications, Art History papers, etc.
June 2019 – August 2019
ARMENIAN GENERAL BENEVOLENT UNION: WESTERN DISTRICT MEDIA INTERN
Met weekly with a cohort of young Armenian professionals to partake in professional development activities
Cultivated a network through professional workshops and social/cultural outings
For more information about my experience, please get in touch.
Academics
University of California, Berkeley
I earned a Master of Information Management and Systems at UC Berkeley's School of Information. Additionally, I joined the graduate cohort for a certificate in New Media Studies from Berkeley Center for New Media. My research area of interest was exploring the intersection between storytelling and technology.
University of Texas at Austin
I earned two Bachelors Degrees from UT Austin (Hook 'em Horns). I have a degree in Rhetoric and Writing and a degree in Journalism with a minor in Italian.
If you're interested in hearing my radio voice...
A thank you gift for reaching the end of my portfolio– I hope you enjoyed learning more about my professional accomplishments.