Aug
22nd
Fri
22nd
Derek Strum
1203 South 6th Street St. Charles, IL 60174
PHONE: 630.988.9876
E-MAIL: murtskered [at] gmail [dot] com
2010 – Present
Contributing Writer
Art Department Weekly
Brooklyn, NY
- Wrote feature stories about various topics including film, books, and sports.
2008 – 2009
Contributing Writer
LOL, Douchebags
Naperville, IL
- Wrote weekly humor column for blog with 20,000+ pageviews.
2007 – 2009
Contributing Writer
The Doings Weekly
Hinsdale, IL
- Covered various high school sports events
- Compiled schedules of all local high school athletic teams
- Researched and wrote updates on college athletic careers of local high school graduates
- Edited press releases of various youth sports programs in the area
- Wrote seasonal previews, game coverage for high school athletic teams
2005 – 2006
Commentary Editor
The Columbia Chronicle
Chicago, IL
- Worked with senior editors on selecting, researching, writing, and editing the editorials of an award-winning weekly newspaper for an audience of more than 10,000 students, faculty, and staff
- Coordinated and edited other section editors’ opinion pieces
- Supervised and trained an assistant for the position
- Contributed news and feature stories to other sections
- Position required ability to use Microsoft Word, Quark Express, and Microsoft Excel
2001 – 2002, 1997-1998
Features Editor
Elgin Community College Observer
Elgin, IL
- Selected topics for section and assigned stories to staff writers
- Wrote arts & entertainment reviews and previews relating to the college’s audience and events around campus
2000-2001
Contributor
CampusNut.com
Cambridge, MA
- Covered events on a weekly television program
- Wrote film reviews and other related pieces
1998-1999
Movie Critic
The Northern Star
DeKalb, IL
- Selected most recent film releases and wrote weekly reviews
EDUCATION
2004 – 2006
Columbia College Chicago
- Bachelor of Arts, Journalism – News Reporting & Writing
- 3.6 Grade Point Average (on a 4-point scale)
- Dean’s List Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 semesters
- Named a “Top Prospect” by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund
- 2001 – 2002, 1996-1998
Elgin Community College
- Associate in Arts
1998-1999
Northern Illinois University
