Meet...

Danny Peterson

Present

After being laid off in the Spring of 2009, I have been working a few freelance projects and taking classes in order to continue my career in the communications/marketing field. I am hoping to become better as a web designer and graphic designer in order to further build my skillset for a future employer.

One of my completed projects is developing a brand identity for a local emerging college prep business. Tutoring By Lauren needed an identity quickly as their start up date approached. Under a tight deadline, I was able to design a logo, build a website, and produce marketing materials that have been effective.

National Basketball Association

The timing of my graduation coincided perfectly with a recession, rising unemployment, and a host of other drawbacks. Seeing that I wouldn't be able to immediately find a full-time job, I sought internships. Luckily, I was able to land one at the local community college and one with the NBA D-League, the minor league of the National Basketball Association.

As an intern, I learned the basics of marketing, publications, and sales. Within months, I was able to impress the NBA enough to have them offer me a full-time position. So, on the eve of the 2008-2009 season, I was appointed the Director of Media and Community Relations for the Anaheim Arsenal.

As the season progressed, my role changed continuously. After a string of costly spelling errors made by the Marketing Department, I had all publications pass through me to ensure they were ready to publish. In order to make this process more efficient, I learned a range of publications software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) so that I could produce flyers and other marketing material myself.

I also managed the web presence of the Anaheim Arsenal during my time with the team. Utilizing the NBA's proprietary Content Management System, I kept the Arsenal's website (now defunct) up-to-date and visually appealing. The team president and Sales department continually asked for improvements to the website which I was able to provide. I created specialized pages for large groups as well as wrote and published weekly and monthly newsletters via the website.

College

In the fall of 2004, I began my college career at California State University, Long Beach. I decided on pursuing a Bachelors Degree in History while purusing a Minor in Political Science. I completed several research papers on a range of topics and learned to effectively research, analyze, and publish my findings.

A few months into my Freshman year, I started working at the Los Altos Family YMCA. It was short walk from my dorm room and it allowed me a job where I could complete homework during my shifts. It was at the YMCA where I saw that my writing and editing skills could be utilized in a professional capacity. My superiors at the YMCA would have me write and edit pamphlets and reports to make sure that the grammar and writing was clear and effective.

By the time my college career was coming to a close in 2008, I had developed my writing, editing, analysis, and publishing skills to a professional level. I had worked 30+ hour weeks while carrying a full load of units and maintained a 3.7 GPA which allowed me to be on the President's Honor Roll all 8 semesters.