"Eye of the Tiger"
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My father always told me this before I stepped onto the soccer field, which motivated me to run until my lungs gave out or a goal was scored - whichever came first. Now I bring that same determination and enthusiasm into my daily life. I'm a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Dual-Degree Environment Science Communication Program. I am seeking a career in the environmental conservation realm that would allow me to showcase the leadership and creative writing skills I’ve honed at Carolina. Please keep scrolling to see what I've been up to in the past couple of years.
Mary Claire McCarthy
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Environment and Science Communication Dual-Degree graduate with a passion for climate change communication, environmental advocacy, and exploring our wild spaces.
Phone:
843-327-8923
Email:
EXPERIENCE
October 2024 - present
Alaska Pacific University
Communications Specialist
Collaborate with a small three-person marketing team creating internal and external communication materials, with a emphasis on public relations, social media and story telling. Manage and run APU’s social media channels, including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Collect information from a broad range of stakeholders (staff, faculty, students, alumni and Indigenous communities) to create the University’s monthly newsletter. Lead the redesign of the University’s new webpage. Creating a Indigenous students focus group to better understand their values, interests, and needs.
July 2024 - October 2024
Kellogg Spring Creek Farm
Assistant Farm Manager
Worked with the Farm Manager to implement a crop plan that will provide for a 100+ member CSA, farmers market, APU Dining Services and Alaska Tilth. Responsibilities include seeding, planting weeding, harvesting, small equipment operation, distribution/delivery and marketing. Assisted the Farm Manager with training and providing oversight for farm interns, volunteers and practicum students. Maintained records of farm production including but not limited to planting and harvest dates, amounts harvested and products sold. Cultivated and maintained relationships with customers. Participated and leads farm tours, workshops and community days. Redesigned the farm newsletter.
January 2024 - July 2024
The Fern
Barista & Line Cook
Worked in a very fast-paced environment at a local acai bowl, smoothie, and coffee café. Conducted back-of-house and front-of-house activities creating smoothies, specialty coffees, and tropical puree bowls. During rush hours, which is nearly the entire day during the summer, I was constantly anticipating the needs of fellow co-workers. Clean and organize condiments and the overall store.
September 2023 - January 2024
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms
WWOOF Intern
Lived and worked with five fellow farmers to farm White Sugarloaf Pineapple, a unique pineapple that grows in a few islands throughout the world. Operated a smoothie stand weekly and conducted farming tasks like planting pineapples and removing slips from mature pineapples. Operated heavy machinery to weed whip and mow the grounds.
August 2022 - September 2023
Palmer LifeWays
August 2021 - November 2022
Windlift, Inc.
Teaching Assistant
Assisted the lead teacher with classroom activities such as inside/outside play, learning activities, and orchestrating a seamless lunch and nap transition. Promoted to lead teacher in a 10-child classroom for a few hours, daily.
Communication Manager
Continued to research and organize reports on Department of Defense activities and the Airborne Wind Energy market. Synthesized and systematized these reports to redesign branded marketing materials and inform general marketing. Largely focused on redesigning the company website, which included researching and writing weekly blog articles. Used Mailchimp and Salesforce to engage Windlift employees and investors.
June 2021 - July 2021
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms
WWOOF Intern
Collaborated with a small team to live in harmony, distribute chores, and decide on daily work tasks. Lived on an island near Juneau, AK for six weeks farming, timbering framing, and completing trail maintenance. Organize trips, including logistics, to various SE towns, like Gustavus.
December 2020 - April 2021
Windlift, Inc.
Public Relations Specialist
Researched and organized hundreds of reports on Department of Defense activities and the Airborne Wind Energy market. Synthesized and systematized these reports to redesign branded marketing materials, craft a press kit and graphic design materials, and inform general marketing. Created a press kit resulting in 3 news articles within the first week, 600+ website visits, and 30,000-60,000 impressions at a 1-2% search-through rate. Developed and contacted an extensive media list of Triangle Area reporters. Took the initiative to interview reporters when fellow employees were unavailable. Redesigned the company website, which included researching and writing weekly blog articles.
September 2019 - December 2020
NC Policy Collaboratory
Scientific Communications Assistant
Interviewed scientists and community members, while synthesizing Collaboratory research reports to create engaging mashups of environmental news articles and narrative stories for distribution to policy-makers and the general public. Supported general Collaboratory communication needs such as website design, press releases, and scientific journal synthesis.
September 2019 - April 2020
Strata Solar
September 2018 - December 2018
Viibrant
Marketing Intern
Developed social media, copy, graphic design, and a media list for the first annual launch of Strata Solar's $10,000 Clean Tech Award competition. Launched and maintained the company newsletter with a reach of 500 employees.
Marketing & Accounts Management Intern
Designed user-friendly, yet unique, website formatting for various clients and graphics. Harnessed Hootsuite to increase engagement with Viibrant's social media. For instance, I increased follower count by 24% on LinkedIn and the number of shares by 100%. Created press releases, news releases, blog posts, and social media content.
January 2018 - May 2018
Rainbow Soccer Ltd.
Public Relations Assistant & Sponsorship Intern
Contacted established Rainbow community sponsors across the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community and organized meetings with new sponsors through phone call, email and drop-ins to businesses. Modernized and condensed the nonprofit's sponsorship packet information into a reader-friendly format.
Marketing Intern
February 2018 - September 2018
United Solar Initiative
Analyzed and collected quantitative and qualitative data from our marketing campaign to evaluate its effectiveness and reach. Assisted in marketing and advertising promotion activities (e.g. social media, direct mail, news releases and media announcements).
February 2017 - May 2017
North Carolina Botanical Gardens
Horticulture Therapy Assistant
Rehabilitated a range of different individuals with various intellectual disabilities through gardening, weeding and weekly lessons.
EDUCATION
2018-2020
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media
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M.A. Media & Communication.
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2015-2019
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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B.A. Environmental Studies with a sustainability focus and a minor in public relations.
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SKILLS & SERVICE
Ad Club Mentor
WordPress
Climate Reality Campus Corps Executive Board Member
National Outdoor Leadership Certification
Media Kits & Press Releases
Tableau (Data visualization)
AWARDS
Dean's List
Fall semester of 2017 and spring semester 2018 I made UNC-CH Dean's List. This requires a GPA above 3.65.
Buckley Service Learning Scholar
Entails completing 300 hours of public service, 1 service-learning course and
four skills training sessions.