MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | NOVEMBER 2009

MEET PAIGE STONEROCK

PROFESSIONAL NOTES

Employed by: "On the search for the perfect fit."

Duties: Until recently, I worked as an assignment editor in broadcast news:

• Develop and maintain relationships with county, city and organizational heads and spokespersons.
• Research, develop and plan news stories and assignments; advise reporting teams and coordinate assignments.
• Plan short-term research and special news projects.
• Manage internal and external communication in and out of the newsroom.
• Coordinate and produce (in field) special events, programs, and shows.

"I have an affinity for strategic planning and communications."

Education:

• B.A. in Mass Media (media convergence, strategic communications)
• B.A. in Anthropology from Washburn University
• Master of Arts in Speech Communication, Central Missouri State University, 2006

Affiliations, Personal & Professional:

• AWC, Kansas City and Topeka
• American Anthropological Association
• Midwestern Sociological Society
• Midwestern Sociologists for Women in Society
• Kansas City Outdoors Club
• Save-the-Wakarusa Wetlands
• WestSide Folk
• Animal Outreach of Kansas (Campaign Coordinator)

The reason I chose a communications discipline for my career….

"I wanted to save the world – and learn something new every day doing it!"

"Actually, I started working in radio in high school and fell in love with broadcast (always changing). I tried to do other things (didn’t seem like a sensible career), but nothing quite compared. A boss told me my gift was 'herding cats' (organizing personalities and getting them to work together towards a task)."

"I wanted to make a difference in my community. So, I returned to school to study Public Relations, strategic planning, and multi-media integration."

If I wasn’t a communicator, I’d be…

"I’d find another way to be a communicator: whether improving communication and organization in whatever job I take on or teaching."

My best/worst career experience…

PERSONAL DETAILS

Home town: Kansas City (although I moved here only a year ago).

Birthday: April 20

Family: "My parents and three brothers may be scattered around the Southeast, but Kansas City is home to my mutt and me."

Hobbies: Baking, hiking, sharing food and laughter, reading, and following science and technology news.

"I’m a total knowledge junkie. "

Favorite book: "I couldn’t pick just one! Books have always been like family in my life."

Favorite food: "I’m a sucker for Moroccan foods: I love the way so many flavors from different cultures come together in a beguiling mix of savory and sweet."

Favorite movie: "My comfort films are the original Star Wars trilogy. But, I love comedy – from classics like 'Harvey' with Jimmy Stewart to the absurd like 'The Last Shot.' 'A New World' and 'The Descent' are the last two movies to blow me away."

Favorite TV show:

• "Vanguard"
• "Taboo"
• TV news
• "Infomania"
• "The Colbert Report"
• "Dirty Jobs"
• "Big Bang Theory"…

Favorite music: Everything from folk to world music to punk to concept Goth.

Words of wisdom...on work, play, life, the world…

"My father always told me that if you can write and speak well, you can do anything..."

"...You can learn anything else. As a doctor, he feels that the most important thing he can do is to develop his writing and communication skills. I live by his example: Write a blog, write letters, and meet new people every chance I get.

" I’ve also learned that I need breaks from work to get out and play (especially in the woods). I’ve recently gotten back into hiking and photography."

Posted 11/21/09