View below or download the PDF version.

Josh Willard
Website: joshwillard.com
Email: joshdwillard@gmail.com

Education

McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario

Master of Arts: Communication and New Media – August 2011 Graduate

Major Research Paper: Questionable Coverage: Canadian Online News Media and the Representation of the Oil Sands

Areas of Study: New Media Arts: Theory & Practice, Communications Research Methods, Canadian Reality Television & Product Placement, Media & Social Issues, Technologies of Communication

Honours BA: Communication Studies & Multimedia – 2010 Graduate

École Secondaire Northern Secondary School
Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
Ontario Secondary School Diploma – 2006 Graduate

Work Experience

Marking Assistant – Communication Studies and Multimedia
January 2011 – May 2011
McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario

Communication Studies 2BB3: Dr. Christine Quail

• Graded weekly blog entries relating to celebrities and celebrity culture
• Marked and calculated midterm and exam grades for 96 students
• Managed an online course management system
• Attended various meetings and lectures

Multi-Media Analyst – Corporate Communications
Summer 2010
Talisman Energy Inc., Calgary Alberta

• Wrote effective communication strategies and plans
• Assisted with media relations tasks
• Met internal client communication needs and assisted in graphic design
• Researched and recommended ways of improving use of social media, internal intranets and external websites
• Organized large-scale employee event for the Calgary Stampede
• Attended weekly meetings with industry professionals and monthly global video conference calls
• Assisted with ongoing communications projects and daily tasks
• Created external print advertisements for newspapers and magazines for employee recruitment

Teaching Assistant – Communication Studies and Multimedia
September 2008 – December 2010
McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario

Multimedia 1A03: Dr. Stefan Sinclair – Sept. 2010 – Dec. 2010
Multimedia 1B03: Dr. Andrew Mactavish – Jan. 2010 – May 2010
Multimedia 1A03: Dr. Stefan Sinclair – Sept. 2009 – Dec. 2009
Multimedia 1B03: Dr. Lori Shyba – Jan. 2009 – May 2009
Multimedia 1A03: Dr. Lori Shyba – Sept. 2008 – Dec. 2008

• Instructed approximately 50 students on a weekly basis
• Held weekly office hours for student support
• Graded assignments and exams
• Prepared weekly lesson plans
• Managed and edited online course management systems
• Attended various meetings and lectures

CSMM Assistant – Communication Studies and Multimedia
May 2009 – May 2010
McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario

• Designed and maintained Communication Studies and Multimedia website
• Created print and web media
• Assisted with student course selection and registration via online portals
• Completed various office tasks

Web Developer – Financial Services
Summer 2008
McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario

• Created and maintained several websites for Data Control
• Completed cheque requisitions and office paperwork
• Completed office tasks such as organizing files and photocopying

Community Advisor – Les Prince Hall Residence
August 2007 – May 2008
McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario

• Maintained and developed an excellent learning environment that enhanced personal growth for students
• Ran and organized programs that were based on needs of students
• Assisted students with social, personal and academic concerns
• Assisted the House Program Advisor and the House Community Advisor
• Worked with co-workers to solve and handle various situations

Scholarly Activities

Publications

• Willard, Josh and Spong, Daryl and Esposto, Daniel. “Synchronization”. The European Media Art Festival, Osnabrueck, Germany (2009)
• Art Editor, TEXT Technology: The Journal of Computer Text Processing, Volumes 15 and 16 (2009)

Invited Lectures

• Willard, Josh and Spong, Daryl. “Jakob Nielsen & Usability Engineering”.  Introduction to Digital Media for the Humanities, McMaster University (2008)

Presentations

• Willard, Josh and Spong, Daryl. “Drum Table”. Communication Studies and Multimedia FRESH Symposium (2010)
• Willard, Josh. “Melted: Melting Magnets to Death”. Communication Studies and Multimedia FRESH Symposium (2009)

Volunteer Experience

Communication and New Media Graduate Representative
September 2010 – April 2011

• Attended various faculty and departmental meetings
• Voiced student concerns to department coordinators

Mark’s Music Picks
December 2010

• Designed and implemented a WordPress website capable of handling weekly blog posts, automatic Twitter and subscription updates to generate Google Adsense revenue

Revolution Wear Fashion Show
February 2010

• Assisted Executive Committee with advertising
• Created various posters and postcards to increase event exposure
• Provided input and creative ideas for promoting the fashion show

A Conversation with Michael Ignatieff
January 2010

• Helped organize a talk by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Michael Ignatieff
• Assisted in advertising through poster campaigns and Facebook events

McMaster University International Student Services/MacAbroad
November 2009

• Provided photography work, photography editing and distribution of photos for annual holiday event

Vice-President (Students) CSMM Student Society
August 2009 – May 2010

• Represented the Communication Studies and Multimedia student body
• Organized events, parties and fundraisers
• Delegated projects to committee members
• Attended various departmental and faculty meetings

Environment Hamilton & Eat Local Hamilton
July 2009

• Designed print media and promotional material for community events

Creating Leadership Among Youth
March 2009

• Designed posters and tickets for fundraising events

West Nipissing Hockey Development Program
June 2008 – June 2010

• Designed, maintained and edited website and information

Big Oak Tent and Trailer Park
October 2006 – October 2007

• Designed, maintained and edited website

Bates Hall Floor Level Inter-Residence Council
September 2006 – May 2007

• Organized events and activities for students of Bates Hall at McMaster University
• Attended weekly meetings
  

Bates Hall Room Host
September 2006 – May 2007

• Led residence tours for perspective students at McMaster University
• Answered various questions for prospective students and parents

Grants & Scholarships

• McMaster University Graduate Scholarship (2010)
• McMaster University Reise Family Bursary (2009)
• McMaster University Geraldine Loretta Cosford Bursary (2008)
• McMaster University Entrance Scholarship (2006)
• Northern Secondary School Environmental Bursary (2006)
• West Nipissing Legion Branch 23 Bursary (2006)

Awards & Honours

• 2009 – 2010 Dean’s Honours List
• Communication Studies and Multimedia FRESH Symposium Award
• Bates Hall Room Host Recognition Award
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma
• Ontario Scholar Award

Technical Skills

• Ability to write HTML and understand CSS
• Experience with social media monitoring tools, SEO, and social media networks
• Exceptional experience with Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Illustrator
• Knowledgeable in Macintosh and Windows Operating Systems
• Experience with DSLR photography and use of digital video cameras
• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office and Apple iWork
• Very knowledgeable with Apple Aperture, iLife, and Final Cut Pro
• Exceptional experience designing and building websites

Additional Skills

• Ability to speak and understand French
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently