Resume for Joshua Cunningham
» My One and Only Objective
My objective in everything I do is growth: personal growth, professional growth, and helping others grow. I love to build things with people, learn things on my own, and create whenever and however I can. More about me personally.
» Specific Qualifications
Internet Design and Development
- Advanced knowledge of and experience with HTML/XHTML and CSS code
- Advanced knowledge of WordPress themes, functionality, and management
- Intermediate knowledge of and experience with PHP
- Experience designing effective and attractive websites and HTML emails
- In-depth knowledge of search engine optimization techniques and website performance analysis
- Hands-on experience with Pligg, Smarty, and DotNetNuke platform and themes
- Experience hosting, troubleshooting, and maintaining web sites
- Experience effectively using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogs to achieve business goals
Document Design and Creation
- Strong aesthetic sense and polished writing skills
- Several years of experience writing, editing, and optimizing web-based content (blogs, static pages, press releases)
- Experience with layout and preparation of simple print and web advertisements, book covers, and business cards
- Experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat
- Advanced capability in MS Word, Excel, Explorer, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Management and Training Experience
- Experience in time and personnel management including performance assessment and feedback
- Planned and facilitated in-person and virtual training sessions on email campaigns, customer service, and various applications
- Trained in the application of adult learning techniques in and out of the classroom
- Proficient teacher and practitioner of world-class customer service skills
Other Skills
- Advanced general PC skills including networking, hardware, software, and general troubleshooting.
- Two years of hands-on chemistry laboratory experience & knowledge including GLP; 4 years total in a lab environment.
» Proven Experience
Social Media Today, LLC (virtual, company located in Maplewood, NJ)
Web Consultant and Technical Support (aka Technical Wizardry)
I help Social Media Today manage 9 niche content sites including socialmediatoday.com, theenergycollective.com, and myventurepad.com. I design and build sidebar content modules and run detailed site analytics for the company as well as our corporate sponsors. I work closely with content managers to ensure that imported blog posts are being displayed properly and help our blogger community with RSS feed issues across a large range of platforms. I assist with 5 weekly email newletters and monthly webcasts through GoTo Webinar.
A few of my “wins” at Social Media Today:
- Wrote a PHP script to compile a Google Docs spreadsheet automatically into an email newsletter which greatly cuts down execution time and errors. See it in action.
- Wrote a PHP script to collect and display valid URLs Google Analytics tracking and internal reference codes. See it in action.
- Increased site registrations, RSS feed subscriptions, and email newsletter sign ups with above-the-fold design and a streamlined registration process.
Josh Can Help (San Diego, CA)
Freelance Technology Coach and Web Designer
Offering ground-up CSS-based web design, technology training, and content creation. I help individuals and small businesses take their ideas and talents to new heights using simple, easy to manage technology. I design and build simple, effective web sites that concentrate on usability and functionality. I work with small business owners and individuals who want to build a web presence and push their personal brand into new sectors.
Recommendation from Terri Miner, director of Sara’s Sanctuary animal shelter on Google, November 16th, 2009:
(5 out of 5 stars) Josh designed, created, built and deployed a wonderful website for our non-profit animal sanctuary at a time when we were addressing several serious issues. Josh was able to step in very quickly, to ascertain our needs and build a site that has been consistently able to get our message out to the people we need to reach. Although he generously donated all his time and energy to achieve this, he could not have designed a better site if we had paid him. He has a wonderful aesthetic sense and is also very competent at assessing our needs and bringing the solution all together into our website. Josh knows how to drive traffic to our site – he is very proficient at gaining an Internet presence that can draw in the public attention. Even though I don’t understand any part of that process, Josh had the patience to explain how it all works together and dedicated the time to set it all in motion. Not only is Josh an amazing animal advocate, he is also very talented at design and application. I couldn’t be happier with our sanctuary’s site and would definitely recommend Josh to any person or business who wants to have a dynamic web presence.
Recommendation from Jason Peffley, Web Content Producer/Editor at RegretfulMorning.com on Google, October 27th, 2009:
(5 out of 5 stars) He optimized one of our websites giving in a hefty speed increase allowing us to handle more visits per hour. He’s also fast and affordable.
Recommendation from San Diego graffiti artist Pose2 (via email), January 22nd, 2009:
[Josh] is a good listener and has the ability to look at what you want to get across on the web, fine tune it and ultimately package it for your target market. Communicating with josh can help has been a total advantage to the way I see my business now and in the coming future. I highly recommend JoshCanHelp because of his tech knowledge skills and willingness and determination to want his clients to succeed. The coolest things I have learned is how to manage and update my own blog site, how to set up google alerts and how to organize and present my business effectively online.
Recommendation from San Diego artist representative Danièle Arnaud via email, Google, and LinkedIn in 2009:
(5 out of 5 stars) Always Josh for…life! – I have been working with Josh for over a year now. I like my new website thanks to him. Reasonable cost and it looks good. For one thing, I get good advice on how my website should look and tips to add the right content. I always welcome constructive criticism from Josh: he knows how to help!
[I would recommend JoshCanHelp] because he is thorough in his work. He takes the time to explain the technology side of websites to his customers. He is a very friendly person with lots of patience!
I like Josh can help a lot because he is a very nice person to work with and he takes his time to explain in details how websites work to people who do not know that much about website designs like me! Besides that, he has some good humor and he is always pleasant to talk to: the ideal man!!!!
Many thanks for your help, which is truly your last name, Josh
Recommendation from Gerri Turner Elder on LinkedIn, July 14th, 2008:
Josh recently helped me fix a CSS problem I was having on two sites. I couldn’t find the problem, but he jumped right on it and had it corrected within minutes. He’s valuable, friendly and definitely knows his stuff. I’d hire him any time and highly recommend him if you need help with your Web projects.
Recommendation from Zephen Specht on LinkedIn, March 14th, 2008:
Josh has helped me to setup a really wonderful website for my martial arts class. Starting with his ability to clearly explain the fundamentals of web design and layout, the whole process was a breeze. As the web page began to take on updates and changes he has always been there for advice and assistance. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who was interested in creating or updating a website.
Education Systems, Inc. (La Jolla, CA)
Marketing coordinator (September 2007 to July 2009)
Managed press relations and national conference marketing materials for Education Systems, a software company providing CRM for schools and universities. Assisted with the design and creation of HTML-based standard templates for broad email campaigns. Created clear and concise documentation including screenshots for current product line and updates. Assisted with on-going marketing efforts including case study creation, website content development, and knowledge base maintenance. Doubled the number of press contact email opens and increased conference attendee touches by 50%. Co-designed and created a sales team demonstration and customer learning center on the DotNetNuke platform.
Recommendation from Chris Nelson on LinkedIn and Google, in 2009:
Josh has been an excellent addition to Education Systems. Even when you spring something on him, he consistently produces amazing results. Our documentation and marketing are substantive and look great thanks to his efforts.
Josh has great ideas and the industry experience to put them into practice. I highly recommend his work.
Recommendation from Tej Ravindra on Google, October 28th, 2009:
Josh is an extremely talented member of our team. A rare individual that can see through the assigned task and thoughtfully manage and complete all related and unstated issues. Josh brings thoughtful and fresh insight to our work and isn’t shy about pointing out when we fall off track
Recommendation from Mark Otis on LinkedIn, March 5th, 2008:
Josh is an extremely talented member of our team. A rare individual that can see through the assigned task and thoughtfully manage and complete all related and unstated issues. Josh brings thoughtful and fresh insight to our work and isn’t shy about pointing out when we fall off track
Recommendation from Liz Drout on LinkedIn, August 23rd, 2008:
I often turn to Josh for assistance on a number of diverse tasks including product documentation, marketing material, web design, HTML programming, and more. His diverse repertoire, along with his ability to provide timely, thorough, and professional results makes him an invaluable asset to myself and Education Systems.
SmakNews.com (Los Angeles, CA)
Front-End Design and Development (January 2009 to present)
Worked with several different designers to create an appealing and usable front-end template for a Pligg-based website. The template was constructed in Smarty, an XHTML and CSS-based system that sits on top of a PHP back-end. Worked with the CTO to develop a novel commenting and interaction system for this social media site and assisted with minor PHP back-end changes. Other tasks include creating interactive design elements (buttons, links, avatars) and community-building through Twitter and commenting.
Recommendation from Amy Vernon on LinkedIn on May 3rd, 2009 and Google on Nov 22nd, 2009:
I watched as Josh took a PSD of the basic design for SmakNews and turned it into a reality. His ability to work with the programmer, CEO and marketing folks to make everything work and everyone happy impressed me greatly. I’d happily – and, frankly, hope to – work with Josh again.
I worked with Josh briefly on a startup before each of us left to pursue other projects. In that time, I was deeply impressed with his ability to understand what the non-tech folks among us wanted, even when we didn’t articulate it particularly well. Since then, I’ve turned to Josh several times with little questions here and there about HTML or design issues and he’s always been able to answer my question quickly, succinctly and – most importantly – correctly. I have recommended him for jobs and will happily hire him if I’m ever fortunate to have the need for a top-drawer designer/coder/SEO-er.
Kelly Scientific Resources for Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (La Jolla, CA)
Chemical Tracking System (CTS) Technician (September 2005 to September 2007)
Received, inputted, delivered & returned reagents for all chemistry departments. Managed chemical tracking database for all reagents on-site. Worked closely with medicinal chemists to ensure timely and accurate reagent delivery, storage, and classification. Documented all CTS processes & procedures to ensure consistent service & to cross-train colleagues. Implemented a massive chemical labeling & segregation project which set a new standard for reagent labeling (pending publication).
Recommendation from Jennifer Durant on LinkedIn, February 8th, 2008:
Josh was one of our best employees. He worked for us for a significant amount of time and always received positive feedback in regards to his performance. Our customer was always pleased with his work and he was always so friendly working with me. Josh is highly recommended by myself for any future endeavor he may be affiliated with.
AT&T Wireless/Cingular (Bothell, WA)
Business Customer Services (BCS) Field Trainer (August 2002 to August 2005)
Presented training for new & existing corporate care representatives on policy, procedure & systems. Planned & facilitated new hire classes lasting as long as six continuous weeks. During these sessions, acted as supervisor by providing feedback, improving performance & formulating individual learning plans. Attended national conference calls as a subject matter expert. Traveled to Victoria, Canada to launch a sister call center project. Coordinated with upper management, trainers & product managers to create job aids & training manuals for products, offers & policies. Worked off-hours to meet strict deadlines for highly visible projects including ATT Wireless to Cingular transition, BCS re-organization & several major system releases.
Recommendation from Bridget Middaugh on LinkedIn, June 12th, 2007:
In the time I’ve known Joshua I’ve always respected and admired his integrity when it comes to everything he is a part of. If you are looking for someone to work hard, take initiative, and think outside the box then Joshua is your guy.
Recommendation from Nathan Cox on LinkedIn, March 24th, 2008:
Josh was a hard worker and a pleasure to work with. His input was always highly valued and he was quick to finish projects, no matter how difficult.
Enterprise Electronic-Servicing Coordinator (February 2001 to August 2002)
Chosen to support launch phase of leading edge Internet servicing group. Active participant in template development, user assessment testing & focus groups regarding web-based care. Spear-headed process review & discussion group focused on increased efficiency & communication. Consistently exceeded expectations for quarter & annual reviews.
National Business Services Representative (July 1999 to February 2001)
Interacted with authorized order placers & internal sales team members to resolve billing & service affecting issues. Participated in a pilot phase of an on-line account manager program. Coordinated an escalated accounts project involving delayed non-ATT Wireless market orders. Placed wireless equipment requests for national corporate clients. Selected to travel to Oklahoma City to furnish training & coaching for departmental transition in May 2000.
» Education History
Formal Education
San Diego State University
Graduated May 2009 with Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. I also participated in research concerning metal-organic frameworks and catalysts to create ammonia.
Bellevue Community College
Graduated in 2006 with an Associate of Science in Chemistry.
Certifications, Additional Education, Awards
Wireless Data Networking (AT&T Wireless, 2004)
Behavioral Interviewing (AT&T Wireless, 2003)
Business Writing (AT&T Wireless, 2001)