About Me

The Long Version

 
 
 

A childhood spent in a tiny Alaskan town was the foundation for my lifelong love of the outdoors. I'm pretty sure I can credit my eye for design with time spent in that stunning landscape. There was no running water or electricity, but I did have forts built against mountain backdrops, scores of books, and adventures canoeing and ice skating on the Yukon River.

I eventually experienced the joy of flush toilets, and (unrelated) earned a BA in Journalism at the University of Minnesota. I have since built a career in visual and written communications, and completed my Master’s in Technical Communication at Boise State University.

Fresh out of college, I was a reporter and graphic designer at a weekly newspaper, and then transferred that experience to a job with the same duties at a regional outdoor publication. I followed that up with six-and-a-half years as communications manager at a fantastic non-profit organization called North House Folk School. On weekends, I also crewed on a Lake Superior charter sailboat.

Then, after a decade in northeastern Minnesota, it was time for a change of scenery. I moved to Boise, Idaho, (goodbye Lake Superior, hello mountains!) where I worked my way up to creative services lead at Boise State University and earned my Master’s in Technical Communication. After a stint writing curriculum at Northwest Lineman College, I now work in marketing for Healthwise and do occasional freelance work.

But old habits die hard: when I'm off the clock you'll find me exploring the landscape on foot, bicycle, or skis. Since moving to Idaho, I’ve picked up fly fishing and backcountry hunting, and fill my spare time exploring the wide open spaces of the West.

Contact

watson.katelyn@gmail.com

Resume (PDF)

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Professional Skills

Writing: Articles and marketing content
Editing: Copy editing and content editing
Graphic design: Layout design and online and print marketing materials

 
 
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Outdoor Experience

Backpacking, running, fly fishing, mountain biking, backcountry hunting, bike touring, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sailing

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Other Interests

Baking three-layer cakes for birthdays (and often just because); reading voraciously (favorite book: The Dog Stars); traveling (24 countries, 38 states, and counting); knitting sweaters; nursing a perfectly rational hatred of seagulls

 Life According to Social Media

Good to get out on a quick overnight with @donald.m.watson and Mike. Off-trail shortcut from where the snow stopped the truck to a trail // trucking along // and then a quick snowstorm // good luck? // through the woods // cabin has seen better days
NY23/24: Forests, rivers, and oceans. Headed to the coast to hang with Jack for New Year’s Weekend. Sauvie Island strolls. So much green and also the cutest newt (not pictured) // Max and Jack boated a chunk of the Wilson River // From the tak
Caught (and released) my first steelhead this weekend! A couple beautiful days on the Clearwater // There she is! Pretty incredible to think she was born around there, swam down through 8 dams to the ocean, stayed alive eating krill and small fish a
Elk hunting begins... Lack of vacation time and reduction in availability of our normal tags means hunting in different units this year. A couple days out at daybreak with warmer than normal temps. Saw one bull each day, but doesn't help much when y
Excellent rainy weekend on the river. Raincoats got a run for their money! Some boating // Some steelhead catching and releasing (plus a bull trout for me) // Some rainy hiking with spey rods // Lush greens // And yellows // Lots of perfecting the c
I’m 39 today! It’s the last year of my favorite decade yet. SO MUCH has happened and I don’t really have anything sage to say about it, other than: do the scary things, they're usually worth it. Notable happenings from my 30s (so f
Lovely weekend in the woods 🍂 Max downriver // High sticking for whitefish // Colors starting to change // Max upriver // River rescue for this guy // Campsite sunrise // Changing seasons // Whitefish takes flight (and the face I'm making 😂) // Th
A couple nights at an alpine lake with end of summer plants // hiking up through meadows // and then higher up through the trees // where there was a fire not too long ago // reached the lake // Echo with stick among the bear grass // my tent spot //
Headed out for a couple nights backpacking with the bro and the snouts. Went to a mountain lake // Entering the wilderness // Headed through the meadows // Arriving at the lake // Echo, my fishing sidekick // Caught some nice ones // My tent spot //
Tatshenshini/Alsek River trip Foggy morning at Alsek Lake // Grizzly tracks // Hike out of Sediments camp // Quintessential fireweed + mountains // Melt Creek camp // Melt Creek hike // Approaching Walker glacier // Walker glacier // Icebergs in Als
Weekend in the woods with Max, Dan, and Christy. Including a round of golf at the Yellow Pine Country Club. We played all 18 holes and it was one of the most ridiculous and fun things I've ever done. Plus some kayaking, fishing, and camping. And some
Got out in the woods for kayaking and camping (I observed the kayaking part) // And did a short hike // Max and Dan logging some time in boats // Shuttle pick up // Only in Idaho // Post-dinner hike // Then headed up another backroad // That burned a