Welcome to my portfolio!

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Welcome to my portfolio! *

I’m Mickayla McDowell, a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival studies and records management. Explore my projects, insights, and professional journey as I work toward telling stories and preserving history for generations to come!

I’m based in Orlando, Florida right now, where I work as a contract Product Specialist for NBCUniversal.

I’m currently available for full-time positions, project hires, or contract work, and am open to relocation.

Alongside my graduate studies in Library and Information Science, I've had hands-on experiences through multiple internships. At the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, I migrated collection data from FileMaker Pro to QI, accessioned new archival materials, and arranged and preserved a significant collection. That work taught me that careful stewardship is what keeps a story alive.

As the Creative Asset Management intern at Universal Creative, I contributed to sizzle reels that play in the parks and inside our corporate buildings. Behind the scenes, I prepared metadata for a large-scale asset migration, helped manage the migration itself, and helped set up a new proprietary DAM. That work made sure the studio's creative assets could be found, trusted, and reused.

Together, these roles shape how I work. I preserve the past with rigor, and help shape it into stories people can step into.

Video Essays

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Video Essays *

Explore my video projects from metadata studies to the history of animation!

In my recent YouTube series I explore the iconic feature films of Walt Disney Studios. This series will uncover how animation has evolved, influenced the industry, and shaped culture through groundbreaking creative processes. From timeless classics to industry-defining innovations, this project will bring you insights into the art, technology, and storytelling behind beloved animated films.

A table with manilla folders in different stacks

Writing

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Writing *

Selected writings from my path to becoming an archivist, written while I pursue an MLIS at San Jose State University. They explore how archives protect the histories of nonprofits, museums, and film studios, and how thoughtful preservation keeps those stories within reach for future generations.

Join my mailing list to be updated on new episodes and essays!