Zoe Brunskill

I am a hard-working creative interested in media, and I am searching for a career in journalism, editorials, or publishing. I studied and achieved a History BA degree for three years at the University of Reading. My biggest accomplishments are the completion of my dissertation and my internship at Essential Surrey magazine. I have also constantly worked part-time or full-time in jobs that have enhanced useful transferable skills to succeed in any environment.

Employment History

Editorial Intern at Essential Surrey Magazine                                                           (August - November)

As an Editorial Intern, I've had the chance to write and publish original content that really connects with the magazine's audience, which has helped drive more traffic across all platforms. I’ve also curated and uploaded local event info, which boosted community engagement and made local events more visible. I’ve worked on designing and optimising web pages to make them more user-friendly and visually appealing, helping to bring in more site visitors. I also created and launched a personalised newsletter for our subscribers. One of my key tasks is making sure we have the right image rights, which involves researching and negotiating permission to use visuals legally and professionally. Plus, I’ve done competitive research to help shape our content strategy and keep us ahead of other local publications.

Funeral Home Assistant at Brunskill Family Funerals                                                (June – Present) 

In my role as a Funeral Home Assistant, I’ve been responsible for helping to plan and organize funeral services, making sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. This includes managing logistics, handling scheduling, and being the main point of contact for families during difficult times. I’ve learned to stay super organized and pay close attention to detail, especially when it comes to record-keeping. I’ve also provided emotional support to grieving families and worked with the team to make sure each service is handled with care and respect.

Bar Assistant at Mitchell and Butler’s (Soho, London & Reading)                (July 2021 - April 2024)

Over three years of working in bars, including being named ‘Employee of the Quarter’ at O'Neills Carnaby Street, I’ve gained a ton of experience in customer service. I’ve learned how to keep things running smoothly in a fast-paced, high-energy environment, whether that’s serving drinks or managing cash transactions. I’ve also taken on responsibilities like maintaining inventory, training new staff, and helping to organize events. A big part of the role was problem-solving, so I had experience handling customer queries and resolving any issues quickly to ensure everyone had a great experience.

Retail Assistant (Smiggle)                                                           (September 2018 - September 2020)

Working at Smiggle, I was all about providing excellent customer service and helping customers find the perfect products. I’d offer product recommendations, explain features, and make sure the store was always looking its best. I was also in charge of cash handling, using the register, and keeping track of stock. On top of that, I’d deal with any customer concerns or questions, ensuring a positive shopping experience for everyone who walked through the door.

Education

University of Reading, History BA

• Graduated with a 2:2, with my dissertation title of, ‘How much did Nazi racial ideology change and influence attitudes towards Jewish people across Europe in the 20th century?’

Hinchley Wood Sixth Form

• A levels completed of English Literature (A), Business Studies ( C ), and History (B).

Hinchley Wood Secondary School

• GCSEs: Media Studies (A), History (B), Religious Studies (A**), English (A**), Mathematics (B), Combined Sciences (A)