derek_richardson_resume.pdf
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Education

Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas
Bachelor of Arts in mass media with an emphasis in contemporary journalism, minor in history
Graduated: May 2017
Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS
Associate of Science in general science
Graduated: May 2015

Professional experience

Orbital Velocity
  • Content creator
I am working to build Orbital Velocity to be a platform offering casual observers and devoted space enthusiasts alike appealing media chronicling humanity’s journey toward becoming a multiplanetary species by providing informative, digestible and accurate content.

The story of human expansion into low-Earth orbit and beyond is happening right before our eyes. Starting with the International Space Station, the mission of Orbital Velocity is to act as a “living time capsule” chronicling these ambitions to live and work off the planet.
​
While I started my professional journey as a writer, Orbital Velocity requires a full range of skills, including video editing, graphic design and visual storytelling.

January 2020 - Present
Spaceflight Insider
  • Managing editor - spring 2016 to June 2019
  • Writer - September 2015 to June 2019
  • Freelance editing and writing - January 2021 to December 2023
As managing editor, I coordinate with others to assign, edit and schedule stories throughout the week. Between 2016 and 2018, I helped grow the website's traffic from roughly 120K to roughly 350K viewers.

In March 2019, I created a weekly news update video called "Space Bulletin.” I completely produced the first 10 episodes and created a detailed workflow to serve as a guide for other team members to produce future episodes.

While performing my duties, I also wrote hundreds of stories, many of which were about human spaceflight and the International Space Station.

Between summer 2019 and January 2021, I took a break to focus on building Orbital Velocity.
Sept. 2015 - Dec. 2023
The Washburn Review
  • Writer: Fall 2014—Spring 2015, Fall 2016
  • Associate news editor: Spring 2016
  • Managing editor: Fall 2015
I designed print news pages for production and mentored others in leadership positions. In fall 2015, I led the Review as managing editor and helped lead our team to produce our weekly printed edition helping to ensure deadlines were met and quality was maintained.
Sept. 2014 - May 2017
SpaceUp Kansas
SpaceUp Organizer
Helped plan and organize a space-themed, user-generated “unconference,” creating an environment for people to get together and discuss space-related topics.

April 2012 - April 2013

Skills

AP Style writing
Accurately/rapidly edits content
Writes quickly and accurately
​Able to simplify complex topics
Graphic design
​Experienced with Adobe products: InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Illustrator
Able to write, film, edit and finish videos
​Researching