© Copyright 2OO1-2O12 by Grady McAllister. All rights
reserved.
This extended resume page and all other pages on VASTHEAD.COM
were designed and developed by Grady McAllister of Houston,
Texas.
Extended Resume of Grady McAllister
About this page . . .
This is what is known in the HR trade as a resume addendum. It goes into more detail than a regular resume, and it presents the material in a more narrative style.
This page is permanently under construction. This material is mainly for my own reference. It is a personal tool for recalling what happened in connection with particular work.
Not all of this will be of interest to every potential employer. It goes into considerable detail on some topics, and some employers will find this information useful in making a hiring decision.
Think of this as a work in progress. At any given moment, there are parts of this page that are still being organized or have not been fully edited.
This is not a substitute for the concise resume I send to employers. Please send me an email if you need a conventional resume.
—Grady McAllister, M.S. (Training, Occupational & Consumer Technology)
February 3, 2012 5:16 PM
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an email
Web sites: http://vasthead.com
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Offering a background in communications, occupational
education, training, instructional technology, training evaluation, and learning
resources.
I have done all these things . . .
- Broadcasting as an air personality; also advertising, promotion, news, and public affairs
- Media services with an emphasis on news editing, writing,
photography, multimedia training, and web site development
- Research & writing for technical instruction
- Research & writing for organizational development
- Management of learning resources and instructional technology
- Evaluation of training in oil industry
- Management of health science media evaluation
- Completion of a master's program in Training and Occupational Education
Texas Woman's University
In both words and pictures, no part of my background is better documented than my work at the Texas Woman's University Houston Center.
Above: The Texas Woman's University Houston Center after a rare Houston snowfall. The Learning Resource Center that I managed was on the second floor of the building on the left. The Baylor College of Medicine is across the street further to the left. Methodist Hospital is behind the building in the background.
Above: The Learning Resource Center of Texas Woman's University in Houston. Now known as the Academic Resource Center, The TWU Institute of Health Sciences – Houston Center is located in the Texas Medical Center.
For the Texas Woman's University Houston campus, managed media used in health science training. Responsibilities included entire TWU media library and all TWU instructional technology at the Texas Medical Center.
Managed over 700 multi-media training modules, a file of professional papers, and a high-traffic faculty reserve file. Coordinated inter-library loans with other Texas Woman's University campuses and with health science facilities throughout the Houston area.
Above: The reserve file desk of the TWU Learning Resource Center in Houston. I took this picture during the first few days on the job. Open 60 hours a week, student assistants normally managed the reserve file. However, I personally operated it alone 20 hours a week in addition to other ongoing responsibilities. This meant that the LRC had to be left unattended if I needed to handle a problem in a classroom or in one of the three video recording rooms.
The librarian hat was one of many which I wore at Texas Woman's University. Other hats included Media Technician II (the official state title), manager of learning resources, promoter of media services, videographer, photographer, darkroom technician, instructional designer, stand-up trainer, and evaluator of training.
At TWU, I ascertained health science media needs for the TWU Houston Center. Initiated the preview, evaluation, and purchase of new training materials.
Directed the distribution, security and maintenance of over 250 pieces of media equipment. Programmed video cable to classrooms. Provided media support services such as copy stand photography, general still photography, and video recording of lectures and demonstrations.
Conducted presentations to students on the use of media for health science projects. Wrote communiques to faculty and staff to explain services and head off potential problems.
We served both the faculty and students.
Besides the Learning Resource Center, I managed a video studio (located, inconveniently, eight flights above the LRC), two video recording classrooms, a fully-equipped darkroom, and a production room.
All told, my own Media Services facilities were spread between three different locations in two buildings. I also managed instructional technology in classrooms and elsewhere on campus.
With such widely dispersed facilities, it was very common to be needed in two or more places at once. I was the only full time staff for an operation open 60 hours a week. Because I had replaced two other positions (a Ph.D. and a M.S.), I took specific steps to build the capability of a one-person department.
Above: A student assistant organizes the card catalog at the Houston Learning Resource Center of Texas Woman's University. The unusual colors are due to my use of color filters on both the camera and flash.
To make better use of a high-turnover, part-time staff, wrote training manual documenting operation. Initiated the first formal instruction
of student assistants, cutting training time from a matter
of weeks to a matter of hours.
As new people were hired, they were selected for their willingness to be trained, to make a meaningful contribution to the operation and to make multi-media tools a part of their professional education. In some cases, entire areas of the operation could be turned over to a particular part-time assistant.
Altogether, I hired and trained 23 student employees for Texas Woman's University.
I worked without direct supervision and 300 miles from the main campus. It was an inherently understaffed operation that no amount of planning and training could totally resolve.
For that reason, I preferred to put in long hours during the really busy times of the semester. On my What Others Say web page, a noted cancer researcher comments on how I resolved a problem he faced when teaching a night class at the TWU Houston Center.
During the entire semester at Texas Woman's University, I made myself available 168 hours each week to answer questions on the use of media and to resolve equipment issues.
Industrial Training and Writing
Able to create training based upon the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation).
A skilled and concise technical writer. Have worked closely with subject matter experts, business unit managers, and other stakeholders. Able to see a project through from the roughest early conception to the final product.
Have designed and developed training with no prior knowledge of a subject. Based upon original research, job site interviews and observation of on the job practices. Have rewritten and edited materials by other trainers and by subject matter experts.
Upon the completion of my very first training manual, the head of the project declared that I was "one of the best two" out of the five writers on the training staff.
Have documented complete unit start up and shut down procedures at a major chemical plant. Have documented complete manufacturing processes.
Career Training & Organizational Development
Recently wrote catalog of career certification programs for a Beaumont test preparation provider. Researched such topics as dental assistant careers, advanced nursing certifications, CPA Exam preparation, and the Texas TExES exams for teachers. Articles were especially constructed for Search Engine Optimization.
As a casual employee and contractor of BP Amoco, wrote
materials for development of self directed work teams. Assessed
current training and development needs. Provided written evaluations
of training. Rewrote and edited existing training materials.
Researched 44 human resource skill areas.
Personal web site includes original articles on time management,
negotiation, marketing, and work team development.
Have my own copies of Fred Pryor course materials aimed at
customer service, business writing, train the trainer, project
management, management skills for clerical staff, coaching
skills, presentation skills, and self directed work teams.
Have studied and regularly review techniques taught by Tom
Hopkins and other major sales trainers.
Work for Du Pont
My time at a Du Pont chemical plant was a time when I accomplished a good many things very quickly, I mainly wrote training materials about herbicides and insecticides.
Ironically, my first project did not deal directly with chemicals. The training I wrote for the Control Department taught mechanics to use the computer-based system for acquiring parts and for automatic re-stocking.
My starting point for any new project would be to ask for any existing documentation. Typically, this was just a few pages of material. It might be be outdated. It was, however, good for generating questions when I began to interview plant workers.
The interviewing skills I developed as a journalist have served me well when designing training materials. I based the training on the interviews and on observation of actual job practice. All of this was carefully coordinated with the plant unit manager, Each project would lead to a book-length training manual and an audio-visual presentation.
The books and scripts covered such topics as the chemical formulation process, unit start-ups and shut downs, job responsibilities, safety procedures, and hazardous chemicals.
My projects were self-directed and my attitude was proactive. I did most of my writing away from the training center and inside the plant—just a few feet from where the job was actually performed.
I handled all aspects of instructional design from the initial analysis to the final product—everything, in fact except the pictorial art work. My supervisor always approved all of my materials with only very minor changes.
For the manuals, this included all of the research, writing, and editing. For the audio-visuals, I added photography, graphic lettering and narration.
Training Evaluation
Able to develop training evaluation materials using Kirkpatrick evaluation model: reaction, learning, behavior, and business results.
I am not Kirkpatrick-certified or connected to the Kirkpatrick organization. Nonetheless, my university education was comparable to the "bronze level" of Kirkpatrick training.
Kirkpatrick web site
Videos begin automatically on the red links.
Kirkpatrick Video
Kirkpatrick Cartoon
My Work samples:
Level One Evaluation - Reaction
Level Two Evaluation - Learning
Level Three Evaluation - Performance & Behavior
Level Four Evaluation - Results
Full Evaluation Plan
As a casual employee and contractor of BP-Amoco, conducted formative evaluation of training for self-directed work teams. At Texas Woman's University in Houston, wrote training manual documenting media services operation. Tested success of training according to participant evaluation, knowledge, implementation, and increased productivity. Also, initiated and managed faculty preview and evaluation of health science training media.
At E.I. DuPont. Houston Plant at La Porte, Texas, documented complete manufacturing processes. Supervised evaluation of training manuals and multi-media presentations. Coordinated content evaluation with plant unit managers, subject matter experts, and line workers.
As part of my master's program at the UH College of Technology, completed three courses covering the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.
Broadcasting & News
A broadly based background as a public communicator. Mass
media work has ranged from terse news copy for hourly broadcast
to feature articles for publication.
At KIKK Radio . . .
Hosted weekend talk program for KIKK radio, then the
number one rated station in the Houston market.
Produced six or more KIKK newscasts each week. Recorded feature stories played during morning drive.
At KIOX Radio . . .
During a five year period, employed by KIOX
in Bay City, Texas, near Houston. I was the sole source of broadcast local news for a market of 30,000.
Produced three local newscasts
daily. Covered police, fire, and sheriff news daily. Provided coverage of city council, commissioner's
court, and school board meetings and other events in a five-county area. Sold
stories of national interest to Mutual Broadcasting System.
Expanded both the quantity and quality of local news, causing the materials to reflect the realities of what was happening in the community. Increased frequency of news casts, placing more in the critical drive time period. Recorded news features for early morning which would not become outdated overnight.
Broadcast News Highlights:
- Interviewed
two Houston mayoral candidates, a Houston Police Chief, two U.S. Senators, Congressman Ron Paul. Barbara Bush, and Secretary of State James Baker.
- Provided extensive coverage of the South Texas Nuclear Plant
construction and the only coverage of the largest demonstration ever held at Texas nuclear plant.
- Provided courtroom coverage of a murder trial moved to Bay City
- Reported a volatile confrontation between Marxist & Ku Klux Klan groups
- Broadcast of Bay City council meetings thought by many--including the general manager of the station--to have upset city elections, leading a, long-time mayor to retire and upsetting several incumbent council members.
- For KILT in Houston, conducted two-year study and interviews on drug abuse in the Houston area
Additional Reporting
Additional part time activity in the Houston area: KENR (news
anchor), KBUK (Baytown, DJ, country format), Metro News (copy
editor), Metro Traffic Control (roving reporter), Pearland
Journal (contributing editor).
Wrote articles for Houston Community Newspapers which appeared in Friendswood, Angleton, and Pearland editions.
Advertising, Promotion & Public Service
At KIOX, wrote and produced radio ads, promos, and PSA’s. Voice quality met major market standards. Local retailers often specifically requested that I do their spots.
Worked closely with Chamber of Commerce to publicize events of area interest. Received commendation from Texas Governor's Office for publicity to assist runaway youths. When entrusted with the launch of youth-oriented night programming, adapted and introduced PSA's of the Do It Now Foundation.
DJ Broadcasts
Have worked in these music formats: Top 40, country, easy listening, classic rock, and alternative. Early work at KIOX, Bay City, was as a night time DJ. After becoming News Director, continued DJ work for two hours in early afternoon. Also worked as part time DJ at KBUK in Baytown and at KFMK in Houston.
Additional Media
Background
Participated in video productions of the Houston Independent
School District and the co-production of an instructional
video on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children.
The internet is a medium which I have made my own since the early days of the World Wide Web. My main web site (http://vasthead.com) has been on line continuously since 1997.
Created and currently maintain one of the most widely respected
web sites concerning radio history:Houston Retro Radio.
The Blurb Page: What some well-know people are saying about Houston Retro Radio.
Created and currently maintain a web site providing news,
weather, and tourism information for the Galveston area: The Galveston Arrow.
Education
College of Technology, University of Houston
Master of Science, University of Houston College of Technology,
(GPA 3.61).
Completed program in Occupational Education with an emphasis in Training and Development. The Training and Development curriculum is now call Human Resource Development (HRD).
Click here for the HRD master's program as described by the College of Technology.
I was admitted to the program with an M.A.T. score more than double
the level required for admission. This was a comprehensive train-the-trainer curriculum.
Studies included:
- Instructional design
- Computers in training
- Training and education program management
- Instructional evaluation,
- Facilitating group instruction
- Job skills research.
- Trends in occupational education
- Research methods and statistics
- Evaluation of training,
The Instruction Design curriculum covered the entire five-part ADDIE process: analysis, design, development, implementation
and evaluation.
I was thoroughly trained in the Kirkpatrick model for training
evaluation. My Work Samples page for prospective employers links to forms I have developed using that model. That model measures reaction, learning, behavior, and results for a training program or training module.
My master's degree is really an adult education degree. It covers much of the same territory as a degree in education, but the emphasis in on adults. Adult education is said to begin at age 16.
Along the way, there was a lot of emphasis on business "soft skills" such as customer service, project management, time management, business writing,and leadership skills. I don't mean I took courses in those areas, but those were the kind of subjects we often chose while creating examples of training in an organization.
On my own web site, here is a 50-page paper on time management training:
Time Management by the Ton: An Unhurried Look at Time Management
That is not a master's thesis, just a long pager. I wrote it for a special projects course.
The paper contains one of the few on line descriptions of Time Power, a book and training program designed by Dr. Charles R, Hobbs in 1974. In 2011, Dr. Hobbs contacted me, and I agreed to be quoted when the book is re-released.
For a different course, I created an evaluation plan for Time Power. The paper assumes that the Time Power program is taught to a fictionalized group of sales people.
Undergraduate Studies
BA, University of Houston, Jack J. Valenti
School of Communications.
Majored in Radio-TV-Film. Courses included numerous speech and drama classes, English, journalism, advertising, radio production, radio-TV writing, radio-TV news, radio-TV management, communications law, and history of cinema.
Also attended
San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, making dean's list both semesters. Majored in Journalism.
Continuing Education: This section to be developed
Languages
Have studied Spanish during three distinct periods of my
life. Reading vocabulary about 2000 words. Claim only minimal
proficiency. Able to translate most simple written phrases.
Computer Skills
Dreamweaver, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Captivate, Articulate, Authorware, Photoshop,
digital audio editing.
Have worked with e-learning software as far back as 1997.
Have used word processing programs regularly since 1989. Have used Microsoft Word since 1993.
Have used Dreamweaver, the Adobe web development program,
nearly every day since 2001. Have worked extensively with
three different versions, including the new CS 5.5.
Professional Organizations
Past and current memberships include:
Personal
<<<<<This section is still under construction.>>>>>
Areas of comprehensive study include the following business topics: time management, negotiation, sales, entrepreneurial management, public speaking, advertising, and creative problem-solving and decision-making.
This
is a functional resume. The emphasis is on
skills and accomplishments, rather than on addresses of employers,
names of supervisors, and similar data. Specific references
will be sent after mutual interest in employment has been
established.
Pages
for Prospective Employers
This page last changed:
February 3, 2012
.
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Grady McAllister of Houston, Texas. |
