Nicole Elyse Nelson

Tempe, AZ Phone: (201) 783-6296

85281 Email: Bravery11@hotmail.com

Summary
I am a communications professional with a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from
ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication. I am currently a
Marketing & Public Relations Specialist at VirTra, Inc. and have approximately 2+ years of
experience in the communications field. My greatest skills are planning, organization, research
and internal communication.

Skills
❖ Client service.
❖ Public speaking.
❖ Organization.
❖ Event planning.
❖ Easily can adapt to new technology.
❖ Typing speed of 58 WPM.
❖ Apple and Windows proficient.
❖ Basic web development.
o Helped design a website using Wix. Basic understanding of managing a
WordPress website.
❖ Writing (journalism & AP style).
❖ Research and data gathering and analysis.
❖ Proficient abilities in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
❖ Intermediate abilities in Adobe programs (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator).

Professional Experience
VirTra, Inc. (August 2019 – Present)
❖ Contacting various local and national news outlets to spotlight current customers.
o Writing and emailing pitches.
❖ Ensuring the proper formatting of blogs, press releases, newsletters and other written
works that are sent via email or posted on the company website.
❖ Using HubSpot to send customer and prospect newsletters, press releases and other
customer news.
❖ Blog and newsletter writing.
o Selecting relevant topics and spotlighting special customer stories.
❖ Formatting and editing certified curriculum (written lesson plans, testing materials,
presentations) that is sent to customers nationwide, ensuring it is in the proper form.
❖ Coordinating meetings and preparing the Sales Department for upcoming new product
launches by ensuring proper communication between Sales and Engineering.

 ❖ Gathering information to write specification sheets for VirTra products.
❖ Event coordination for VirTra’s week-long training course designed for new customers
to familiarize themselves with the products.
o Room setup, ordering food and beverages, ensuring class materials are up-to-
date and easy for instructors to access.
o Creating, printing and distributing material such as class rosters and tests.
o Leading a focus group and analyzing the responses.
▪ Researched the best questions to ask the class, then created a
presentation with both information and questions.
▪ Responses are later presented to Sales in a ‘class debrief.’
❖ Communication with new and existing customers to schedule media demonstrations.
o Created and distributed a toolkit for customers to request media coverage as
well as explaining how VirTra can assist in that initiative.

Cronkite Public Relations Lab (January 2019 – May 2019)

❖ Created professional documents and presentations for two clients.
o Worked with Palo Verde Generating Station and PRSA Phoenix
❖ Shot and edited photos for Ten Across, a national think-tank initiative.
o Took professional photos of figures such as Governor Doug Ducey, Mayor Kate
Gallego and ASU’s President Michael Crow.
o Worked with a large group to orchestrate coverage of three events, promote the
event on social media and brainstorm future plans for the initiative.
❖ Designed and conducted three focus group sessions on behalf of Palo Verde.
o Tested logos, taglines, color palettes and existing promotional material.
▪ Designed a logo and color palette to test against a current one.
❖ Designed and analyzed the data from an online survey.
o Spread the survey online using social media and group members’ contacts.
❖ Supported social media and website refresh.
o Designed display and cover photos for three different social media platforms.
o Used Wix to redesign PRSA Phoenix’s website.
❖ Communication audits
o Compared PRSA Phoenix’s current follower numbers to other chapters across
the Western District.
o Helped create a social media calendar.

Arrowhead Lexus – Parts Sales (June 2013 – April 2015)

❖ Wholesale, internal, and retail automotive parts sales.
o Sold and quoted automotive parts at the requests of auto body shops, repair
shops, wholesalers and other dealerships.
o Ordered, handled and sold a wide array of products such as tires, batteries, body
parts, interior parts, electric components, fluids and more.
❖ Kept track of the parts warehouse inventory and assisted in the annual inventory of
stock.

 Tuesday Morning – Store Associate (May 2012 – May 2013)

❖ Cashier – helped customers purchase their items in a smooth and efficient way.
❖ Set up and organize shelves and products.

Glendale Police Department volunteer – Records (January 2012 – May 2012)

❖ Filed records numerically and alphabetically.
❖ Scanned and entered records into the computer system.
❖ Checked for errors and reported them to supervisors.

Education
❖ MA in Mass Communication at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass
Communication (Graduated May 2019)
o Focus in Public Relations
❖ BA in Communication at Arizona State University (Graduated May 2017)
o Officer of Lambda Pi Eta (National Communication Honor Society) in charge
of social media management.
o Graduated Magna Cum Laude
❖ AAS in Criminal Justice at Glendale Community College (Graduated May 2013)