Minna Harmaala

WORK EXPERIENCE AS A JOURNALIST

LÄNSI-UUSIMAA, Lohja

A regional paper distributed in 9 municipalities, 6 days a week. Circulation circa 13.000.

News reporter/editor (October 1, 2007 - November 7, 2008; October 2005–June 2006; November 2006–February 2007; summers of 1999 and 2000)

I was writing both news stories and feature articles. I also took pictures for many if not most of my stories. When needed, I also worked as a layout editor for the free weekly Iltalohja and Länsi-Uusimaa itself. The tasks of the layout editor include planning and doing layout, updating the internet site and delegating work to the journalists.

Part-time journalist (September 2000–January 2005)

My job was to cover the weekend events in the area. My work included taking the photos as well. Sometimes I would also cover for the full-time journalists' sick leaves.

VAPAA SANA, Toronto

The Finnish language weekly of Toronto with readers all over Canada. Circulation circa 2.500.

Reporter (June 1–September 15, 2007, July 1 - September 31)

My job included writing stories on various topics and working as a photographer. I also did the layout together with the editor-in-chief. Updating the internet site was also my responsibility. I wrote in both Finnish and English.

Intern (May 1–August 31 2005)

My job included writing, photography, layout, editing articles, translating from English to Finnish, updating the paper's website and, when needed, even customer service. I interviewed people both in Finnish and English. Most of the time I was expected to come up with the ideas myself. Since the editorial staff only included me, the editor-in-chief and the general manager, team work was also required.

AAMULEHTI, Tampere

The second biggest daily in Finland. Circulation circa 137.000.

News reporter, Domestic news (February 28–April 17, 2005)

My job was to cover domestic stories such as local and national politics and social issues.

AAMUPOSTI, Riihimäki

The daily of the Hyvinkää and Riihimäki municipalities. Circulation circa 23.000.

News reporter (February 14–25, 2005, June 1–August 31, 2004)

I wrote news articles, feature stories and columns. Oftentimes my job would also include photography.

PIRKANMAAN SANOMAT, Lempäälä

A free weekly covering the Pirkanmaa area. Circulation circa 63.500.

A regular contributor (November 2003–April 2004)

My biggest series of articles for Pirkanmaan Sanomat covered the European Parliament elections. I took the pictures for my own stories.

RIIHIMÄEN SANOMAT, Riihimäki

The 6-day paper of Riihimäki that was merged with Hyvinkään Sanomat in 2003, renamed as Aamuposti. Circulation circa 11.000.

News reporter (May 30–August 31 2003)

My job was to write two to three articles a day and to take the photos for those articles.

EDUCATION

TAMPEREEN YLIOPISTO (THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPERE)

Masters degree in Social Sciences December 15, 2004

Majoring in Journalism
Minor subjects: Psychology, International Politics

Masters program : Electronic Photo Journalism 2001 – 2003

In exchange in the University of Ghent in Belgium (Universiteit Gent) at the department of communication in 1999–2000

POSITIONS OF TRUST/VOLUNTARY WORK

TAMPEREEN RATSASTUSSEURA (The Horseback Riding association of Tampere)

Editor of the quarterly (Autumn 2003–Spring 2005)

As the editor of the member publication I designed and did the layout and edited the articles written and photos taken by the contributors. I would also photograph or even draw whenever illustrations were not provided by the writer. I would also communicate with the printing press and respond to the feedback sent to the editorial team together with the editor-in-chief.

SUOMEN WELSH-PONI JA COB YHDISTYS (The Welsh Pony and Cob society of Finland)

Yearbook editor (1999 and 2004)

My task was to design and do the layout of the the yearbook. I also edited the articles and photos.

TAMPEREEN YLIOPISTON YLIOPPILASKUNTA (The Student Union of the University of Tampere)

International tutor (1998–1999, 2000–2004)

As an international tutor I helped several new international students to get started with the Finnish student life. During the five years I did this I had the opportunity to tutor students from all over Europe as well as Canada, the USA and South Korea.

Tutor (autumn 1998)

As a tutor I helped the new journalism students with eg. choosing courses and finding out about the services of the student union.

VOSTOK RY (The student association of the journalism students at the University of Tampere)

Secretary of the board and tutor coordinator 1998

COMPUTER SKILLS

PERSONAL

Year of birth: