There’s no doubt that Christine Sperow Nelson, a member of the JLC’s Nominating Committee, connects with people on all levels – in their homes, across social media networks and through her work in the League. A testament to her knack for connecting with viewers, Christine was recently awarded an Emmy by the National Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences (NATAS) in the category of Serious Feature. She was recognized for her coverage of a man receiving a kidney transplant from his wife. Read more about it here.
Telling moving stories is a rewarding part of Christine’s job, but it’s definitely the people who inspire Christine most. Christine says that the individuals she has met when shooting news stories and her colleagues in the newsroom have been the most enjoyable component in her career, spanning 14 years in the media industry.
Christine also shares some advice for our fellow members to help them succeed in whatever they pursue. “Self-motivation is critical, as well as the ability to reinvent yourself, where necessary and when necessary,” says Christine. When she first graduated with a degree in journalism, Christine struggled finding an on-air in television job right away. It was a reality check. So she first took a job in radio and embraced all elements of that side of the broadcast industry – from working alongside sales representatives and promotions directors, to shadowing the on-air talent. She actually worked her way up to be the director of operations for one of the smaller stations in that radio group! She eventually went back to trying to get a reporting job and after a few months landed her first gig. As Christine reflects, “Self-motivation gives you that ‘never-give-up’ spirit!”
Christine also seeks inspiration from the JLC’s “We Connect” theme this year. It translates into multiple meanings for her. She appreciates the conscious and remarkable effort the JLC is making to provide opportunities for League members to connect – whether it’s through public policy and advocacy, or having socials at a local Charlotte spot, or attending a General Membership Meeting and conversing with someone a member would not otherwise have met. “Everyone wants to feel like they’re connected to something – right? ‘We Connect’ is a great olive branch to establish connections with other women and the community – so grab it!” shares Christine.
In her work life, Christine has embraced how people are “connecting” now via social media. Facebook, Twitter, and the like, have really changed the journalism atmosphere. “While people ultimately look to us for the latest news, they also are highly interested in us as normal people. It’s not unusual to see more engagement for a photo or post on social media about what I did over the weekend versus what the hard news story of the day was. People want to feel like they personally know you,” says Christine.
As for her role in the League, Christine’s experience has definitely lived up to what her expectations were – and in some ways exceeded them. She has been able to see firsthand how the League has positively impacted our community. Christine enjoys being a part of something that is helping various segments of the community – children, families and women. “I love the fact the League challenges me to apply myself, my strengths and even try other volunteer opportunities I would not have otherwise been exposed to. You learn a lot about yourself through the JLC experience,” reflects Christine.
What can you do to find greater meaning from our We Connect theme? Please share your #WeConnect moments as you carry out your commitment to the JLC, as well as in everyday life. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag the JLC with the #WeConnectWednesday hashtag.
