About
After 12 years of Change Management, Public Relations and Global Communications roles at a Fortune 200 aerospace company, I moved 7,228 miles to teach English in China's Silicon Valley. Unfortunately COVID-19 cut that adventure short, so I am (newly) back in the U.S. and diversifying my experience by doing contract communications work for boutique firms.
My journey has included history-making drones (Google "X-47B"), stealth aircraft technology, UAE STEM programs and national tours for Japanese media. And it's still evolving! Get in touch if you'd like to learn more - or even just chat.
My Experience
Roles & Responsibilities
March 2020 - Present
Financial Marketing Associate, The Walker Group
Working to re-brand a small financial services firm, including building a branding scheme, developing an online presence and launching both email marketing and local advertising. Also providing bookkeeping and tax preparation support as needed; currently learning Quickbooks and Intuit Payroll.
2019 - 2020
Science and English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
I taught Science and ESL to 285 1st and 5th graders at a private bilingual experimental school in Shenzhen, China. Due to COVID-19 I unexpectedly had to return to the U.S. and complete the semester teaching online.
2016 - 2019
Public Relations Manager, Northrop Grumman
I led all PR, marketing and employee communications for major defense programs - from cyber, IT and virtual reality training to major (multi-billion dollar) U.S. Air Force space business pursuits.
2015 - 2016
Communications and Advocacy Lead, Northrop Grumman
Led all communications (external, employee, executive) and advocacy efforts for a successful multi-billion dollar U.S. Air Force capture campaign.
2014 - 2015
Global Communications Representative, Northrop Grumman
Communications lead for international business growth teams, with a focus on capturing business in Asia and the Middle East. On winning team selected by Japan to sell them the E-2D Hawkeye aircraft. Led communications for UAE Innovation Challenge, working with Emirati students and government leaders in the UAE. Conducted multiple national media tours and events with foreign media.
2013 - 2014
Unmanned Communications Representative
Represented multiple unmanned aircraft built by Northrop, creating and executing strategic communications plans for each system. My main program was the X-47B Unmanned Combat Aircraft System (UCAS), which made history by being the first unmanned aircraft to land on and take off from an aircraft carrier.
June 2007 - January 2013
Configuration Analyst, Northrop Grumman
Managed engineering change process and contract data for Air Force and Navy unmanned aircraft programs.
Education
August 2017
M.A. International Security, University of Arizona
May 2010
B.A. Organizational Communication, Oral Roberts University
June 2019
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate
September 2016
Certified Change Management Practitioner
My Skills
Public Relations
Global Marketing
Content Writing & Editing
Employee Communications
Event & Exhibition Management
Configuration & Data Management
Turning Jargon into Human Speak
ESL Teaching & Tutoring
Let’s Connect
WeChat: caitlinmarieoconnor