CAROLINE JORDAN
Caroline is not your average blogger! As she is currently studying sports media at an SEC (South Eastern) college, Caroline writes a lot about sports. She talks about her experience pursuing a career in a predominantly male profession and empowers us with her diligence and self-motivation. We are thrilled to have Caroline on our platform! Check out her blog https://noairjordan.wordpress.com and her Instagram @no_air_jordan!
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE YOUR BLOG?
"Originally, I created my blog about a year ago but never followed through with it. I originally made it to be a sports blog, but a few weeks ago I met with a friend and she encouraged me to not set limits on what it can/cannot be. Now, it is some sports content but I also post about things happening in my personal life in hopes that they will someday overlap with my career as a woman in sports media."
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A FEMINIST? IF SO, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FIND YOURSELF EMBRACING THIS LABEL?
"I absolutely consider myself a feminist. I grew up in a very culturally and politically liberal city, so when I decided to attend an SEC school in a town with more conservative qualities, I had a hard time expressing my views for fear of losing friends. Like I said, I want to pursue a career in sports journalism and media, so being confident and decisive about demanding equality in the workplace is very important to me. Most of the writers and reporters in this field are men, so identifying as a feminist gives me motivation to excel in my workplace."
YOU ARE SEEKING A CAREER IN SPORTS MEDIA AND HAVE EXPRESSED HOW MALE DOMINATED THE PROFESSION IS. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A TIME WHERE YOU HAVE FELT DISCOURAGED OR INTIMIDATED? IF SO, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME OR ARE YOU STILL OVERCOMING THOSE FEELINGS?
"In general I have felt unexpectedly welcomed and motivated to do well by my peers and coworkers. Admittedly, when I have questions about software or a project I feel embarrassed to ask for help from my male coworkers, so I tend to reach out to the females in my office. I hadn’t thought about that until now, so hopefully I would gain confidence as I keep learning."
DO YOU USE YOUR BLOG AS A VOICE FOR CHANGE? IF SO, HOW?
"Because my blog is so new, I have not found my “voice” yet, but I hope to do so soon. I think it would be very unique to write about my experiences as a liberal person in a place where those feelings are not always welcome. I also find it hard to find friends who understand that people have different views, so I would love to write about those experiences as well."
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND GETS YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING?
"One of my best friends recently moved to New York City and is doing extremely well. She inspired me to start my blog and continues to be a voice of encouragement in my life. So overall, people inspire me. Little things people say or do that makes them different makes me see differences among people in my life and that makes me very happy."
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT AND MOST ENJOYABLE THING ABOUT BALANCING COLLEGE AND YOUR PASSION FOR WRITING/BLOGGING?
"The most difficult thing about being a college blogger is finding the time and environment to write well. I haven’t shared my blog with my friends yet because it is still growing, so that has prevented me from fully diving into my blog and who I hope it will reach.
The most enjoyable part of my blog is the freedom. It is not for a grade or for anyone in particular, so I love that it can be anything I want it to be! I never feel confined when writing a post or hoping that a series of posts go together because that’s the beauty of it—it can be anything and everything. It just matters that I am writing and expressing myself in a safe environment."
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A ‘FEMALE BLOGGER’ STEREOTYPE? IF SO, HOW ARE YOU REBELLING AGAINST IT?
"I hadn’t thought about it, but there actually is. In the blogging world I do not see a lot of diversity in writers. It is a lot of white female writers focusing on lifestyle writing. By having the perspective from the sports media profession I think I am writing in a unique way."
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS IN 2017? IT CAN BE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL RELATED.
"My biggest success in 2017 is realizing when I was struggling and picking myself back up again. In the spring I was really depressed and was having a hard time understanding why, but this fall I have gotten back in touch with who I am and who I want to be. Realizing that and acting on it was difficult, but it was so important do be able to do that on my own.
Specifically, I started a blog, I was appointed Historian for my sorority (in charge of all social media and PR), and I decided to add another major in Hispanic Studies. I feel like I have taken my life by the horns and am starting to really be myself again!"