Introduction - a Biographical Sketch
Background - Born and raised in Northern VA, Jonathan Pourzal currently resides in Washington, DC and is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a focus on visual communications. He also minored in social entrepreneurship.
Communications
Travels and studies abroad - An explorer and self-described "truth-seeker", he took every chance he could to travel abroad while in school. He backpacked across Uganda for two consecutive summers researching and networking with community based groups to form an organization at UNC that supports sustainable development (AGRADU in Uganda). He interned at a start up company in Beijing, China, (the summer before the Olympic games were held there) writing and designing info-graphics about Chinese business culture. He also studied abroad for one semester at the University of Havana in Havana, Cuba, where he examined Cuban culture, history, and international relations.
A large portion of the work displayed in this portfolio is a result of these experiences.
Drive for Positive Change - Jonathan is innovative, passionate and a visionary. He tries to learn, grow and improve his being everyday. He is loyal and truthful. These characteristics are reflected in his resume and in this portfolio.
His life’s direction has been defined by a drive for creating positive change by educating himself in order to find solutions, and subsequently, communicate solutions to others. Indeed, that was his motivation to study journalism and mass communication and social entrepreneurship in college.
As a seasoned spoke word artist and DC field trip facilitator, he is an effective and personable oral communicator. As a journalist, he has nourished a talent for investigation and story-telling. As a graphic designer/artist, his seeks to disseminate knowledge through informational graphics.