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Clear your calendar - It's going down! Splash Blocks kicks off on April 20th, and you're invited to take part in the festivities.

About

The Event

Clear your calendar - It's going down! Quote Blocks kicks off on April 26th, and you're invited to take part in the festivities. Join us for a day of fun and excitement. Come one, come all, bring a guest, and hang loose. This is going to be epic!

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Clear your calendar - It's going down! Splash Blocks kicks off on April 20th, and you're invited to take part in the festivities. Splash HQ (122 W 26th St) is our meeting spot for a night of fun and excitement. Come one, come all, bring a guest, and hang loose. This is going to be epic!

Katherine Fan

has Traveled enough miles to reach the moon and back 

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-FT -EDIT -CON

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This job application was created in 2015 as a Hail Mary attempt

to land my dream job at The Points Guy.

I felt seriously underqualified, but decided to give it a shot anyway.

I've been writing for TPG ever since.

In case you're curious, here's the original job listing.

LOCATION

Tribute

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RELEVANT EXPERIENCE


   The Daily Texan  2006-2009

Served as features editor, reporter, photographer, copy editor from sophomore year through senior year. My review of Wong Fu Productions netted me a reference attribution in Wikipedia, although the article itself now exists only in newsprint!

Bazaarvoice  Spring 2009

Bazaarvoice is the brand behind billions of user reviews on brands from Bank of America to Walmart. I completed first-round edits on all corporate blog posts published in February, March, April and May; I also drafted first-round drafts for 20+ posts published under senior executives' names.

 China On The Brink Summer 2008

As a beat reporter in 2008, I sourced, reported, edited and published four original pieces over five weeks, while traveling over 2,000 miles to four different cities.

International Justice Mission Fall 2009

International Justice Mission is a legal non-profit dedicated to ending slavery around the globe. I proofread all IJM media content between August and December 2009, including 30+ press releases, over 15 executive staff biographies, 4 case studies and 20+ research memos.

China On The Move Summer 2009

As managing editor in 2009, I facilitated intensive travel requirements for a team of 15 undergrad and graduate students across Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Each week, I completed 2-3 rounds of edits per student submission, ultimately publishing 96 student pieces. I served as the liaison and language translator between our program director and local fixers.

WRITING SAMPLES


A) There And Back Again: A Hobbiton Adventure

A personal anecdote of thrilling travel, just for TPG readers. (Google Docs plaintext version here)

B) 12 Considerations When Applying for TPG

A detailed breakdown of my application strategy. (Google Docs plaintext version here)

C) China On The Move and China On The Brink

My write-on-the-go experience through the University of Texas Foreign Correspondents' Workshop

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Bachelor of Journalism - Print/Photography                                              College of Communication, 2008
Bachelor of Arts - Asian American Studies                                                            College of Liberal Arts, 2008


COMPENSATION

Ultimately, I'm interested in giving back to The Points Guy community, and expanding my own experience in both rewards travel as well as web editing. Let's talk numbers once you're convinced I'm great for the team.

FAVORITE FREQUENT-FLYER PROGRAMS

A) Southwest Rapid Rewards

I love Southwest for all the usual reasons: No-fee rescheduling, Companion Pass perks, the fun flight crew, great customer support, the no-frills service, and tons of flights across the Continental U.S. 

B) American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines travel to/from Dallas is convenient and affordable, and consistently high rewards from the eShopping portal earn me a couple of free flights every year with little effort and no extra expense.

C) United Airlines MileagePlus

During the 2013 holiday season, a last-minute Saver Award fare to Taiwan made it possible for me to surprise and support my newly bereaved father, who lives over 9,000 miles away.

FAVORITE CREDIT CARDS

A) Personal MVP:

Chase Sapphire Preferred

My Sapphire magic carpet flew me to visit my brother studying abroad in Austria, and even helped me stop over in Germany to visit the little girl I used to babysit!

B) Gateway Drug:

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Between Companion Pass perks, penalty-free cancellations and instant Chase point transfers, Southwest cards are an absolute no-brainer for my long-distance marriage.

C) No Place Like Home:

Chase United MileagePlus

While checking us in for a 14-hour flight, a United employee saw my Explorer card and upgraded both my non-cardmember husband and myself  to Economy Plus.

D) Current Sign-up Offer:
Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles

Despite the 2015 point devaluation, my newest card sign-up (thanks to TPG!) has me excitedly strategizing the best itinerary for my dream trip to the Maldives.

THREE POSTS TPG READERS WILL ENJOY...

A) Topic 1

Seven Secret Fears of People Who "Just Use Their Bank DEBIT Cards" (And what they stand to lose)

The TPG for Dummies 101 link to share with family members and friends who think the TPG beginner's guide is still too daunting.

B) Topic 2

BEYOND TAIPEI: 50 THINGS TO DO IN TAIWAN

With all the recent sale fares to Taiwan, and all the additional fares that offer layovers or stopovers in Taiwan, this post would list dozens of alternative activities outside of Taipei, for travelers who have already visited the 2013 Destination of the Week.

C) Topic 3

11 Weekend Getaways with Great Public Transportation

A list of top recommendations for worry-free trips that don't require driver licenses, parallel parking or Uber.

a) LinkedIn
b) Facebook
c) Instagram

TPG Typos

You asked for three, so I'm following the rules!
To see all edits, click here.

A) shake things up a bit with this application process(

A colon (:) is the right punctuation mark in this context. 

B) numbered liss with “I Included ALL 12 items” as the subject line

"List" is misspelled.

(Bonus edit: Either capitalize all words in the subject line, or just the first word in the sentence. Don't mix and match.)

C) If you’re interested in full-time work, add “- FT” at the end of th subject line. 

 The second "the" is missing an "e".

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LIST OF EDITS


You should Also Know...

 Katherine is "... A meticulous, highly intelligent editor [and] skilled journalistic writer.” 

Tracy Dahlby - Newsweek, National Geographic, Washington Post

 

"Her skills as an editor and manager are second to none."

Natalia Ciolko - China On The Move

TPG tips helped me explore 14 countries across 4 continents

5 QUESTIONS FOR TPG

a)

If you had a magic wand, what's the first thing each of you would fix about TPG's current editorial process?


b)

Brian, a number of high-profile bloggers say they have experienced burnout from making a living out of writing about their passion. Do you relate?


c)

What's your biggest milestone goal for TPG in 2015, and then again in 2016?


d)

What is one attribute that any TPG staff member must possess without question?


e)

Is there anything I've included or omitted today that would make you not consider me for a TPG role?


PHOTOGRAPHS BY KATHERINE FAN

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