ABOUT
Caitlin Hernández is a multimedia journalist with experience in digital reporting and editing, design, and community building. They’ve contributed to and led a variety of newsroom initiatives and special projects, such as creating L.A. TACO’s first-ever printed zines and LAist’s audience-informed public style guide. Caitlin is a word nerd with a passion for human-centered design, solutions journalism, and innovation.
Their work can be seen in USA TODAY, KPCC/LAist, NiemanLab, and theLAnd Magazine’s upcoming third issue.
EXPERIENCE
Stylebot, Los Angeles, CA
Research Associate | 9/2021 - Present
Employs product and editorial thinking to build upon the existing style guide of Stylebot, an integrated workflow tool powered by machine learning
Researches history and construction of words, grammar, and punctuation in the English language, with an eye for inclusivity and a newsroom’s evolving needs
Annenberg Media, Los Angeles, CA
USC Editor | 9/2021 - Present
Directs and edits a team of 15 multimedia journalists for daily web coverage of USC-focused stories, including day-of-publish stories, investigative work, and utility-based stories
Multimedia Journalist & Backup Editor | 8/2020 - 5/2021
Reported day-of-publish stories for TV, radio, and web focusing on issues affecting the USC and South Central communities, edited web stories as needed
Southern California Public Radio, Pasadena, CA
On-call Assistant Producer, Engagement — 2/2021 - Present
Launch and maintenance for LAist’s public-facing and participatory style guide
Supports engagement initiatives, such as the Help Desk and Child Care, Unfiltered, through design and audience tools
Partnered with LAist’s redesign team to migrate website to Brightspot CMS
Community Engagement Intern — 2/2020 - 2/2021
Answered and analyzed 2,700+ COVID-19 and voting audience questions to pitch top performing stories and guides
Sent targeted short-form news updates via text
Produced video and social elements for LAist’s Racism 101 project
First Draft, Remote
Student Network Volunteer — 6/2020 - 8/2020
Identified new misinformation trends through image and video verification, website authenticity, and engagement tracking
PCC Courier, Pasadena, CA
Managing Editor — 1/2020 - 8/2020
Redesigned the visual style guide for social media
Directed 15+ newsroom staff and strengthened multimedia use
Assistant News Editor & Photojournalist — 8/2019 - 12/2019
Assisted news editor in reviewing reporter's work and budget lines
Launched weekly video content for Instagram and produced multimedia images
KCRW Public Radio, Santa Monica, CA
Summer Marketing & Production Volunteer — 6/2018 - 1/2020
Contributed to the brand presentation of KCRW via tabling at events
Loaded music into the queue for radio and online playlist
SKECHERS, Burbank, CA
2nd Assistant Manager — 9/2018 - 6/2019
Daily sales manager, goal tracker, and operational supervisor
Trained new and existing employees to increase development and retention
Eagle Rock Baptist Church, Los Angeles, CA
Assistant Student Director — 10/2017 - 8/2018
Directed junior high and high school programs for 50+ students
Social media and graphics developer for the NextGen department
EDUCATION
University of Southern California | Graduating 05/22
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Pasadena City College | 7/2020
Associate's Degree, Journalism and Behavioral Sciences
SKILLS
Advanced: Hearken, GroundSource, Typeform
Competent: Photoshop, Lightroom, Audition, InDesign, Buffer, Canva, Later
Proficient: Premiere Pro
PROJECTS
Reynolds Journalism Institute
Developed two zines for L.A. TACO to build its membership incentives using engagement strategies.
AWARDS
The Society for News Design — 2/25/2021
Award of Excellence | Use of Video for Dia De Los Muertos
Online News Association — 10/2020
Gather Award in Engaged Journalism, Overall Excellence for KPCC/LAist’s Help Desk
Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Regional Award | Enterprise News, Highest Honor (11/2020)
Regional Award | News Photo, Second Place (11/2020)
State Award | Multimedia Story, Honorable Mention (4/2020)
Regional Award | On-the-spot Newswriting, First Place (10/2019
LANGUAGES
Intermediate Arabic