Tu-Uyen Tran
Communication professional
About me
I'm a versatile communication professional with 17 years of experience writing for a consumer audience in a daily publishing environment. My specialty is explaining complex issues, such as health care, weather science and tax incentives, in plain language. Naturally curious, I delight in research literature and interviews with technical experts. Other skills include storytelling, data analysis, data visualization, project planning, newsroom management, copyediting, Web posting, graphic design, photography and video editing. I’m originally from the Seattle area and graduated from the University of Washington.
Work experience
2014 to present: enterprise reporter, the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, Fargo, N.D.
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​Writes front-page feature and investigative stories for newspaper about variety of topics, including health care, tax incentives, flood control, urban planning, homelessness and social sciences. Compiles and analyzes data for data-driven projects.
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Other duties include developing infographics, writing breaking news for website, posting stories on social media (Facebook and Twitter), and shooting photos and videos as needed.
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Thrives in high-pressure environment requiring high productivity under daily deadlines. Filed 252 stories in 2016, 108 of them for front page. Filed 290 stories in 2015, 99 of them for front page.
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2015: freelance reporter, Center for Public Integrity, Washington, D.C.
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Conducted research on North Dakota laws, interviewed political and legal experts, and compiled report on 245 legal and political indicators as part of national study of state ethics laws
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2013-2014: Content editor/news editor (supervisor), Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald.
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​Planned and scheduled reporting projects, prioritized daily news coverage and coached writers.
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Other duties included teasing stories on TV news and writing stories as needed.
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Supervised 12 reporters and supervisors.
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2012-2013: Night editor (supervisor), Grand Forks Herald.
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Copyedited multiple stories on deadline, updated website using Drupal-based content-management system (CMS). Knowledgeable in AP style.
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Supervised one reporter.
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1999-2012: Reporter, Grand Forks Herald.
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Covered City Hall, business, economic development and higher education beats. Other topics covered included unmanned aircraft, science, weather and agriculture. Compiled and analyzed data for data-driven projects.
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Designed graphics to accompany stories.
Professional profile
Experienced writer: Writing style is engaging and easy to understand. Explains technical concepts in plain language. Sets mood in feature stories with creative use of style, voice, tone and word choice.
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Diligent researcher: Delights in conducting interviews with experts, combing through industry and academic publications, and poring through data to reach thorough understanding of research topic.​ Pays close attention for nuances that may reveal anomalies in a data set.
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Team player: Maintains online contact list used daily by colleagues. Pitches in regularly when other reporting teams are short staffed. Works with photographers and graphic artists to maximize impact of content.
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Self-starter: Self-taught in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and video editing (GoPro Quik, Videolicious, Microsoft Movie Maker).
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Flexible employee: Versatile professional able to learn and adapt as team goals and resources shift.
Accolades
First place in government reporting, North Dakota Newspaper Association, 2017.
First place in government reporting and first place in agricultural coverage, North Dakota Newspaper Association, 2016.
Education
BAs in communications and international studies, 1999, University of Washington, Seattle.
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High school diploma, 1993, Inglemoor High School, Kenmore, Wash.
