Michelle Vranizan Rafter

Current

Blogger at WordCount: Freelancing in the Digital Age
Contributing editor at Crain's Workforce Management
Business reporter at Independently employed

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Past

Contributing writer at The Industry Standard
Internet columnist at Reuters
Staff writer at The Orange County Register

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Education

Marquette University
Loyola Marymount University

Recommended

5 people have recommended Michelle

Connections

482 connections

Industry

Writing and Editing

Websites

Michelle Vranizan Rafter’s Summary

I'm a freelance business reporter covering technology and social media, small business, workplace issues and the media industry.

I write for national and regional business, trade and consumer publications in print and online.

I also run a blog about the challenges facing independent writers in the age of online news - WordCount: Freelancing in the Digital Age.

AREAS OF INTEREST:

Consumer electronics
HR
IT for small business
Media industry
Online privacy and security
Recruiting, staffing and executive search
Small business
Social media
Workplace issues

Michelle Vranizan Rafter’s Experience

Blogger

WordCount: Freelancing in the Digital Age

(Writing and Editing industry)

2008 — Present (1 year )
Contributing editor

Crain's Workforce Management

(Privately Held; Writing and Editing industry)

2004 — Present (5 years )

Provide ongoing coverage of HR industry trends and issues, including recruiting and staffing, benefits, training, outsourcing, relocation and expat programs, and employee rewards and recognitions.
Business reporter

Independently employed

(Writing and Editing industry)

May 1995 — Present (14 years 7 months)

My work has appeared in:

Crain's Workforce Management
Inc.com
Conde Nast Portfolio.com
CBS MoneyWatch.com
Oregon Business
RFID Journal
YourSecurityResource.com
TheGeekWeekly.com

And coming soon...
Writers Digest
The Big Money
LearnVest.com

I've previously written for Reuters, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Oregonian, Industry Standard, Internet World, CNET, Online Banking Report and others.
Contributing writer

The Industry Standard

(Privately Held; Publishing industry)

1996 — 2000 (4 years )

Regular contributor to ground-breaking Internet industry magazine from charter issue through the Internet bust, covering start ups, e-commerce, Internet technology, B-schools, workplace issues and more.
Internet columnist

Reuters

(Public Company; RTR.L; Financial Services industry)

May 1995 — September 2000 (5 years 5 months)

Created and wrote Reuters' first weekly Internet column, called Livewire, which was picked up by newspapers and websites all over the world.
Staff writer

The Orange County Register

(Privately Held; Newspapers industry)

1987 — 1995 (8 years )

Covered computer, telecom and Internet, wrote weekly tech column, helped plan and write weekly BusinessMonday section, helped launch and produce weekly personal tech section. Reporter of the year nominee. At this job, my byline was Michelle Vranizan, my maiden name.

Michelle Vranizan Rafter’s Education

Marquette University

MA candidate , Journalism , 1980 — 1981

Activities and Societies:

Journalism School Research Fellow
Loyola Marymount University

BA , English , 1976 — 1980

Communications Student of the Year Award

Activities and Societies:

Editor in chief, Los Angeles Loyolan
Staff writer and editor, Los Angeles Loyolan