About
Claire-Michelle Sweet
Junior at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
I have always been a creative. During the Covid-19 quarantine, I decided to explore my passions and purchased my first camera, a Nikon Z50. Since then, I have strengthened my skills across multiple forms of media, from writing short stories to creating a docuseries about local Black businesses. I taught myself how to edit on DaVinci Resolve, format different written works, and continue to learn each day. As I navigate my college career, I apply what I learn in the classroom to my projects, constantly striving to better myself as an all-around creator.
Now, as I shift my focus to advertising, I see the potential to blend media, technology, and representation to shape the industry in new ways. I aim to leverage my skills in film, computer science, and marketing to broaden the visibility and communication of underrepresented groups, bringing their stories to mainstream audiences. Media, whether in the form of movies, songs, books, or television, plays a crucial role in shaping values and perceptions. Through advertising, I want to challenge those perceptions by highlighting the multidimensionality of the underrepresented and their stories.
I feel a deep sense of pride when I see artists create work that pushes boundaries and encourages self-reflection. In the advertising space, I hope to do the same, crafting campaigns that inspire people to explore new perspectives and create something that feels authentic to them—stories that are free from biases and stereotypes. My goal is to contribute to a more inclusive and innovative future in advertising, where media and technology come together to represent the richness of all voices.
Resume
Education
Work and Volunteer Experience
Fall 2024 - Present
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
University of Miami
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022
Nova Southeastern
University
College of Media
- Major: Advertising
- Minor: Computer Science
School of Communications
- Major: Motion Picture (Production) | Computer Science
- Minor: Spanish
Halmos College of Arts and Science
- Major: Communications | Digital Media Production
- Minor: Computer Science | Spanish
February 2024 – Present
Marketing Intern | Black Contractors Owners and Executives
May 2024 – August 2024
Bloomberg Custoner Support Intern | Bloomberg
February 2024 – May 2024
Part Time MS Latin Art Appreciation Instrustor | Daystar Academy
February 2024 – May 2024
Swim Instructor | FFC
June 2023 – August 2023
IT Intern/ Instructor | Lavner Education
August 2022 - May 2023
Creative Director | Uni
October 2022
Production Assistant | Clarity
August 2022 - May 2023
Production/Creative
Assistant | Gravity Magazine
August 2022 - May 2023
Creative collaborative | Black Creative Collective
2020 - Present
Creative Artist
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022
SUTV | Nova
Southeastern
- Collaborated on marketing strategies by building and managing the company’s prospective website, launching and overseeing its first Instagram account, creating high-quality photo and video content, and conducting in person outreach at events like the Careers In Trade Event at Living Word Christian Center to enhance brand visibility and connect black business owners and contractors.
- Collaborated with interns to collect, implement, and present data, provided on-site IT support to ensure server connectivity, utilized the Bloomberg Terminal for data analysis, and organized and moderated an Alumni panel while interacting with clients to address technical Bloomberg Terminal needs.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans for grades 6 and 7.
- Instructed students, chaperoned field trips and track meets, participated in parent-teacher conferences, evaluated and nurtured student language and art skills, and researched cultural backgrounds to organize inclusive and engaging classes.
- Taught swim lessons to children aged 2-7, focusing on water safety, basic swim techniques, and building confidence in the water.
- Provided personalized swim instruction to injured, adult athletes through private lessons, tailoring sessions to aid in rehabilitation and improve swimming skills.
- Instructed IT, computer science, and content creation. - - Assisted with debugging code, project backup, and computer cleanup on site and with company headquarters.
- Directed, assembled audio, and research for company documentary
- Facilitated creative direction and advertising for future Uni app launch and promotion
- Oversaw audio, lighting, and video equipment
- Assisted in blocking and direction of actors
- Performed as an extra
- Collaborated in creative direction for Fall 2022 Shoot
- Oversaw lighting and photo equipment
- Performed as an extra
- Organized and participated in creative "meet-ups"
- Collaborated on individual and group creative project i.e. paintings, screenplays
- Research, produce, and film documentaries; Produce short films; Wrote short stories; Record and mix audio; Oversee camera lighting; Manage technology for optimal results
- Assist staff with new segments for SUTV
- Submitted my documentary about black businesses in South Florida and continue research and production for future episodes.
- Created and Directed two bumper videos for the SUTV channel
Extra Curricular Acticities
American Advertising Federation(2024 to Present) | Women of Color (2024 to Present) | Black Contractors Owners and Executives (2024 to Present) | Black Creative Collective (2022 to 2023) | Gravity (2022 to 2023) | SUTV (2021 - 2022)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Club Track (2024 to Present) | University of Miami Club Swimming (2022 to 2023 | University of Miami Club Triathlon (2022 to Present) | Fit Canes (2022 to Present) | UCatholic (2022 to Present) | Caribbean Student Union(2022 to Present)
Twilight Series, Annual Stan's Donut Run, USA Triathlon (Bill Bone Tropical Triathlon, 30th Annual Huntington's Disease Triathlon, 9th Annual Fort Lauderdale Shamrock Run 5k, 2022 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships) (2021 to Present)
Skills
-
Davinci Resolve
-
Adobe Premier
-
Adobe After Effects
-
Adobe Illustrator
-
IntelliJ
-
ProTools
-
Java
-
Python
-
Microsoft Office
-
C++
Awards
-
Bloom, David&Mary Scholarship
-
Media Honors Scholarships
-
Dean’s Scholarship
-
FL Effectiveness Access Student Education Grant
-
FL Academic Scholars (Bright Futures)
-
Superior Score for FL Thespian Playwright Competition
-
Presidential Scholarship
-
Tau Sigma Transfer Honors Society
-
National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars