sophia fuka
One job down, one career to go!
As the scope of this website has shifted, so will its content...so stop back soon and check out all the changes that I promise I will get to!
"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald
a little about me:
Fuka grew up in rural North Dakota with a graduating class of 20 students. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota in 2006, this Sioux fan moved to Phoenix to thaw out.
She recently graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University , with a Masters degree in Mass Communication, specializing in public relations and digital media .
Sophia’s favorite word may be “focus,” but when it comes to what she loves most about public relations, she really can’t decide! If she had to choose however, her interests lie mostly in research, campaign planning, digital media and "happy industries" (hospitality, health, travel, non-profits and tourism).
To quell her professional hunger for all things public relations, Sophia independently contracts for a variety of Valley businesses and services, including Chatter Media, where she acts as their Director. She spends most her time crafting web content, planning social media and account managing. She has also acted as the Gannett New Media Innovation Lab's project manager for content development and marketing, and the Communications Director at Youstart.us . In addition, Fuka was an Account Executive at V3 Communications , a student run public relations firm. She is an active member of the Phoenix chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), where she sits on several boards and committees.
In her free time (also known as sleep), this recent-graduate dreams about beach vacations; her litter-box trained bunny, River; knitting; a trip back to her alma matter, for a grinder from the Red Pepper restaurant and renowned hole-in-the-wall; re-reading her favorite book, The Giver; and finding the ever elusive, perfect pair of black wedges.
She is always looking for coffee friends, so drop her a line via email, or contact her on Twitter or Facebook !
Photo: Evan Wyloge
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education, experience, excellence
sophia e. fuka
public relations and digital media
phoenix, az
phone 701.899.0761 * e-mail sophiafuka_hotmail.com
twitter _SophiaFuka * linkedin Sophia Fuka
education
Arizona State University 2008-2009 Phoenix, AZ
Degree: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (M.M.C.)
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Major: Public Relations and Digital Media
• Instruction in: Multimedia/Online Journalism, News Writing, Broadcast Journalism, Media Law, Public Relations Writing,
Public Relations Practicum, 21st Century Journalism: The Business of Journalism, Research Methods, Mass
Communication Ethics, Capstone: Gannett New Media Innovation Lab, V3 Communications PR Firm
University of North Dakota 2007 Grand Forks, ND
Graduate School- Elementary Education
• Coursework including: Writing in the Elementary Classroom and Language Development
University of North Dakota 2002-2006 Grand Forks, ND
Bachelor of General Studies: Focus- Elementary Education
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude: GPA- 3.51/4.0
• Coursework: Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Sociology
Freelance Work Present Phoenix, AZ
Chatter Media
• Acting Director, account management, account planning, digital consulting
City of Phoenix- Phoenix Sister Cities, WorldFEST
• Headed the coordination of all social media; live tweeted the WorldLUNCH event
Ecofresh Planet and Green Street Development
• Wrote press releases, story pitches, guest editorials, newsletters, speeches and social media, as well as web content
Beauchamp Law Office, P.C.
• Copyedit all seven of the firms websites; blogged; produced content
You Start Us Present Phoenix, AZ
Director of Communications
• Responsible for all areas of communications and public relations at www.youstart.us , including investor and internal
communications
V3 Communications 2009 Phoenix, AZ
Account Executive
• Responsible for heading the organization and planning of all research, surveys, focus groups, campaign planning, and
campaign execution for a variety of clientele including: The Morrison Institute, Zooloo.com, The Greater Phoenix Economic
Council, and Rock Boot Camp
• Oversaw and coordinates internal communication for a team of five other graduate and undergraduate students
Gannett New Media Innovation Lab 2009 Phoenix, AZ
Content Project Manager and Public Relations
• Managed a team of seven to ten students in the process of research, conceptualization and the development of content
for Gannett Corp.
• Planned focus groups to test prototypes
Cronkite NewsCast 2008 Phoenix, AZ
Anchor, Writer, Reporter, Technical Editor, Live Blogger
• Developed multimedia content for the web
o http://cronkiteworks.asu.edu/sancarlos/index.html
• Produced :90 to 2 minute broadcast quality radio and television packages
• Anchored and reported for podcast and vodcast productions
o 20 minute podcast- How the White House was Won
o 11 minute video podcast- Inside the San Carlos
• http://cronkiteworks.asu.edu/sancarlos/index.html
• Wrote and edited project based content for audio, video and web based productions
• Live Blogged Presidential election 2008
o http://livelect.wordpress.com/
o More than 1,200 unique hits
Private Residence 2007-2008 Paradise Valley, AZ
Nanny
• Coordinated and facilitated age and developmentally appropriate activities for three children ages 0 through 11
• Facilitated clear and constant communication with the parents, therefore ensuring the best possible atmosphere for the
children
The Dakota Student 2006-2007 Grand Forks, ND
Columnist
• Wrote weekly to bi-weekly 600-700 word opinion columns on dating, relationships and nightlife
• Circulation 6,500
Red River Valley Gymnastics 2004-2007 Grand Forks, ND
Coach and Program Manager
• Supervised approximately 10 coaches
• Managed the Trampoline and Tumbling program with more than 200 students
• Communicated with other managers, coaches, parents and students via collateral materials i.e.; letters, professional
development handouts, brochures and contributions to the monthly newsletter and meeting agendas
excellence
Proficiency in:
Dreamweaver, Photo Shop(CS3 / CS4), Flash(CS3 / CS4), Soundslides, Microsoft Office, Quickbooks Pro, Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Parallels, Fugu, Garageband, Basecamp, Unfuddled, GoToMeeting, social media, digital media, basic HTML, Mac OS X and Windows.
Honors:
• Undergraduate full tuition diversity scholarship (University of North Dakota 2002-2006)
• Alpha Chi Omega Freshman Outstanding Leadership Award (2003)
• Active Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) member, Phoenix chapter
Volunteer:
• The City of Phoenix, Phoenix Sister Cities WORLDfest
•
• "Rum and Reggae" charity event benefitting the Children's Angel Foundation
• Shades Multicultural Mentoring Program
• PRSA New Pros Board Member
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Contact me
©Sophia Fuka 2009 All rights reserved.
