Interviewed by Audrey Dutton,
Emily Carmela Nelson, a junior at Boise State University, is very busy.
The new editor-in-chief of The Arbiter, Boise State’s student newspaper, is leading a team of student reporters and editors. She also represents student journalists on the Idaho Press Club’s board of directors. And she’s a member of The New York Times Corps talent pipeline program and an active alumna of the Voces Internship of Idaho.
But there’s much more to Emily than what’s on her resume.
Emily grew up in Boise, where she spends her down time browsing local thrift stores (her favorites are Savers and St. Vincent de Paul) with a coffee in hand, or lounging at home with her boyfriend and her cat.
Social media:
Q: What made you want to study journalism?
A: When I was in high school, I helped direct our morning broadcast for the school. I wasn’t sure that journalism was The Thing, but I enjoyed talking to teachers for silly interviews we would play on the morning news.
I was actually interested in studying film when I came to Boise State. Then my boyfriend’s sister told me about Voces Internship of Idaho, and I applied to do something broadcast- or film-related. During my internship with Channel 2, I kind of realized, oh, the storytelling aspect of this is why I like it. It’s not necessarily being behind the camera, but it’s getting to know people and learning people’s stories, how people light up when they’re talking about something they care about. That’s where I caught the journalism bug.
My first story I ever did at Channel 2 was on this speed-friending event at one of the local libraries. Like speed-dating, but for making friends. I was trying to think of different story ideas, and the people around me were advising me: look at Facebook, look at Reddit, find weird events. I’d say 12 people went to it, but it was just so much fun, and people were actually connecting. It was cool covering something so unique, in the city I grew up in.
Then, I fell in love with The Arbiter organization. There’s nothing like connecting with other student journalists in a space where we can collaborate. There’s like 12 other student journalists, and the way we’re all learning, and we’re all bouncing ideas off of each other, inspired me so much. I love the fact that our university has a print newspaper, because most are either slowly weaning off of doing that or doing, like once-a-semester papers.
Being so deeply entwined in the Boise State ecosystem as a first-generation student has really shown me how big the world is, even though I’m very focused in on my tiny little world there.
Q: How did you navigate being a first-generation college student?
A: It was hard. I had nobody to really talk to about those experiences. I didn’t really understand — not only just the financial and the academic parts of it, but I also didn’t understand the social structure of college, very basic level things, like sororities and fraternities and how big of a deal that is in college.
I didn’t know organizations, like Student Media, where I’m now the editor-in-chief, even existed. Knowing about that from the get-go would have changed things for me.
I’ve had really fabulous mentors along the way, and that’s something I didn’t expect either — how many opportunities there would be for me. I’m so grateful for everybody in my life who’s taken a chance on me, and I think that’s what all students need — to get that one push into the world.
My mom had gone to Boise State for a few years, but she couldn’t graduate because of financial reasons. She had moved from Ecuador at my age to come to Idaho to go to school. So, I think it means a lot to her to see me not only going to school but flourishing in school.
Q: What should the “old guard” in news know about journalists who are entering the industry now?
A: That we’re curious and competent. My generation leads with curiosity. I’ve noticed, especially working in a college newsroom, just how much passion there is. We’re hungry for opportunities.
I think the older generations of journalists are very pessimistic towards the industry, and I feel that. It’s just, I think there’s always a need for truth and storytelling. Some people will say “broadcast is dying, print is dying,” but one thing about the way I’ve explored journalism is how versatile it is. Whatever the job market brings me when I graduate, I feel like I’m ready.
Q: How can we reach the next generation of media consumers with accurate information?
A: I think meeting people where they are is important. Most of my generation is consuming their news through social media. When that comes to outlets, posting about it and being like, “Read more at the link,” I think that inspires people to want to click and learn more.
When it comes to choosing the way you report, finding that human interest; but also, mentally, there’s a lot of horrible things going on in the world, in so many different facets, and being able to — at least in local journalism — be like, “Here’s some good things happening in your community. Here are some people trying to make change.” Being able to take in the whole picture. And sharing people’s “why” is really important — their thought process and their reasoning and their heart.
Q: What is your “why?”
A: I’d say my “why” is connection. I just love not only getting to know people but getting to know the reasons why things work the way they do. I’m really passionate about love and kindness. I think moving in the world that way makes things, in a very small way, such a better place.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of journalism?
A: I really like physical media, so I collect records and CDs and newspapers. I’m into thrifting and vintage shopping. I love jewelry. Right now, I’m trying to redesign what The Arbiter looks like, so anytime I see a paper somewhere, I’ll pick it up and add it to my stash. That’s my hoarding right now; I wouldn’t say that’s a collection (laughs).
I wouldn’t say I’m an artist, but I’m very inspired by art and the way that people can sell an aesthetic or a message. My favorite musical artist is Lucy Dacus. She does a mix of indie folk, pop, rock music, and she recently released a new album, Forever Is a Feeling. I pre-ordered her record when she announced it, I was super excited, and I ended up getting it in the mail. It’s this beautiful, baby blue, see-through record. I’ve never seen anything like it. You could hold it up to a window, and the light will shine through. It’s beautiful.
