McKenna Shaffer

About McKenna Shaffer

I love the English language! Grammar is a tool that can and will augment your message. When it’s used as a tool, it can create magic. But, I’ve noticed that many professionals have never understood grammar well enough to best utilize it in their careers. My goal is to spread everyday grammar tips and tricks so that more people can add grammar to their professional toolkit. I want to make you aware of grammar rules you may be using subconsciously so you can use them purposefully. I want to help increase confidence in your writing, whether it be emails, Teams messages, blog posts, or long-form proposals. For a bit of background, while in high school and college, I wanted to be a book editor so that I could help authors capitalize on their unique writing style to make books great. Or that\'s what I like to tell myself—it was because I loved to read. But, life took me in a different direction, and I now work in the A/E/C industry. I spend my days writing, editing, and designing proposals, promoting Hoar Construction within North Texas, and making all kinds of industry connections. What I love about this career is that I use the communication skills I learned in school in a productive way, and I get to see the products of my labor in building form all around my community. When I\'m not working, I love to travel, talk about studying French and traveling, and read books. Professional Skills: Chicago Manual of Style | Trade and Academic Editing | Proposal Writing | Teamwork and Development | Event Planning

Experience

1. Marketing Coordinator

   Hoar Construction

   Oct 2022 — Present · McKinney, TX, US

   Working in construction involves a lot of proposal writing and relationship building within a given area. I am currently the Marketing Coordinator of Hoar\'s North Texas office, so I collaborate with the other departments to write and design quality proposals for our project leads. I also participate in our office\'s business development as a new office to the North Texas construction scene.

Education

• Texas Christian University

  Master of Arts - MA, English Literature

  2019 — 2021

• Texas Christian University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, English Literature, French Language Studies

  2017 — 2020

• The University of Chicago Graham School

  Editing Certificate

  2020 — 2021