Karen M. Gray
7420 Topaz Cove h Memphis, TN 38125 h (901)757-1624 h graykaren@bellsouth.net
Self-motivated and enthusiastic contract Instructional Design/Developer candidate with excellent communication and leadership skills. Dependable, organized, personable, loyal, and dedicated to designing and developing quality training material. Background includes 13 plus years of combined professional experience in management information systems, adult vocational and literacy training, special education, instructional design and computer-based training development. Earned Undergraduate degree in MIS and Master of Science in Instructional Design and Computer Technology. Seeking to utilize design and development skills on a contract basis.
UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS – Memphis, Tennessee
Master of Science, August 2001
Instructional Design and Technology
Bachelor of Business Administration, May 1993
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Contract Based Self-Employed – Memphis, Tennessee
Instructional Designer/Developer –October 2005–Present
§ Develop instructional components utilizing the necessary tools to build Instructor Led Training as well as Web-Based Training
§ Develop storyboards and scripts to utilize in the development of training manuals
§ Work closely with SMEs to obtain necessary information for designing and developing quality training
§ Design and develop various types of training needs to include: technical, specialty areas, clerical, sales, etc.
§ Utilize Microsoft Office tools and other applicable tools to develop training material
Memphis City Schools –Memphis, Tennessee
Special Educator – December 2003–June 2005
FedEx Express – Memphis, Tennessee
Senior Computer Based Training Development Specialist, March 1999–November 2003
§ Develop multimedia components utilizing Authorware
§ Translate storyboards and scripts into courseware applications for FedEx Courier, Service Agents, Management, and Human Resource training
§ Evaluate courseware
§ Edit and or assist in creation of graphics and audio where appropriate
§ Maintain courseware as required
§ Provide input for maintenance procedures and standards used within workgroup
§ Provide project leadership as assigned. Served as Project Lead on four CBT development strategies
§ Work with SMEs in preparation for courseware development
FedEx Express – Memphis, Tennessee
Programmer Analyst, December 1997–March 1999
§ Develop multimedia components utilizing Authorware
§ Translate storyboards and scripts into courseware applications for FedEx Courier, Service Agents, Management, and Human Resource training
§ Evaluate courseware
§ Edit and or assist in creation of graphics and audio where appropriate
§ Maintain courseware as required
§ Provide input for maintenance procedures and standards used within workgroup
§ Provide project leadership as assigned. Served as Project Lead on four CBT development strategies
§ Work with SMEs in preparation for courseware development
Memphis City Schools – Memphis, Tennessee
Adult Computer Instructor—Part-time, January 1995–January 1998
§ Responsible for installation and troubleshooting of software as well as setup of hardware in three labs of approximately 30 computers
§ Developed objectives for multiple users, which consisted of details on how to operate a computer in both DOS and Windows environments
§ Provided training, support, demonstration and problem resolutions of microcomputer concepts utilizing several software packages on demand as needed by users
§ Developed training material for users
First Tennessee Bank – Memphis, Tennessee
Systems Engineer, February 1996–December 1997
§ Maintained COBOL programs in a batch and online environment on the Tandem system
§ Troubleshooted database problems, included use of job control languages
§ Responsible for maintaining the computerized system for the Bond division
§ Wrote/maintained requester/server applications
§ Achieved minimal training on IBM-mainframe, which allowed ability to support POS and WIRE systems
§ Interacted with users to resolve computer application problems and provided them with more efficient means to accomplish their jobs
§ Provided on-call production support
Contract-Based (Memphis Light Gas and Water—MLGW) – Memphis, Tennessee
Programmer, October 1993–February 1996
§ Maintained programs in languages as COBOL, and TAL for MLGW's Customer Accounts system
§ Received initial training on IBM-mainframe system in preparation for a conversion from TANDEM to the IBM platform
FedEx Express – Memphis, Tennessee
Project Leader, April 2000-November 2003
§ Lead Computer-Based and Paper-Based design projects from Analysis phase to Implementation.
§ Produced and delivered several workshops on training to peers
§ Lead corporate communication activities within corporation
Special Olympics – Memphis, Tennessee
Volunteer, September 1998-Present
§ Serve as mentor to individuals with special needs
§ Served on committee to organize the "Buddy Walk" for Down Syndrome Association
§ Presented live interview on national television to communicate Down Syndrome Advocacy
§ Member of the National Down Syndrome Association of America and the Mid South