Erin R. Socha 

Lawrence, KS

ErinSochaWrites@gmail.com

I am a recent graduate of the University of Kansas, where I am studied journalism and environmental science. My interests lie in science writing, ecology, STEM communication, agriculture, and investigative and data journalism. I want to tell stories that challenge our closely-held views of the world.

Before I returned to school, I spent almost twenty years working in the wine industry, where I developed excellent skills in sales, customer service, and marketing. 

EDUCATION

University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

    Bachelor of Science in Journalism | Minor in Environmental Studies

     Graduation – December 2025. 3.76 GPA

Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas

     Associate of Arts – Graduated Spring 2021. 4.0 GPA

SKILLS  

  • Mac & Microsoft Office proficient

  • Quantitative literacy

  • Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator, Lightroom, InDesign

  • Photojournalism

 

CERTIFICATIONS

•       2012 | Certified Specialist of Wine – Society of Wine Educators

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

Freelance Journalist, Lawrence, KS (June 2023 – Present)

As a freelance journalist I have been published in the Kansas Reflector, Lawrence Journal-World and Eater Magazine. My work for the Reflector has covered the environment and local government.

Vintegrity Kansas, Lenexa, KS

     Sales Consultant, NE Kansas Territory (March 2019 – January 2020)

Managed a large regional territory covering Topeka, Lawrence, and parts of Johnson County, selling wine and spirits to retail and restaurant accounts.

Winebow Fine Wine & Spirits, North Carolina 

     Sales Consultant, Durham and Chapel Hill Territories (October 2015 – January 2019)

Managed a sales territory of almost 100 accounts in one of the busiest and most competitive regions in the state. I grew my sales route from $750,000 in fiscal year 2016, to $1.1m at the end of fiscal year 2018, a growth of 45% in less than three years.

Chapel Hill Wine Company, Chapel Hill, NC

     Wine Consultant (June 2013 – October 2015)                                                                                                          

Asheville Wine Market, Asheville, NC

     Wine and Food Consultant (July 2010 – June 2013)