Q&A: Emily Wolfe

Emily Wolfe, co-managing editor of The Signal, is one of the women featured as part of The Signal’s special #HawkHerStory issue, celebrating Women’s History Month. This special edition focuses on the stories and perspectives of the various women within the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) community.

Read The Signal’s Q&A with Wolfe below and see the other Q&A’s conducted with students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni here.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?

A: While I am a Digital Media Studies graduate student, I most like to think of my self as “The Disney Girl.” I grew up with an equal passion for the media and for Disney, so I’ve basically tailored my life to reflect both sides of me. As an undergraduate at UHCL, I worked for both “The Signal” and the short-lived yearbook, The Wingspan. I also found time to do two internship programs at Walt Disney World. Once I get my masters degree, I’m back to Orlando to hopefully get a job working for Mickey Mouse in his public relations office.

Q: Who are some women (real or fictional) you look up to most? Why?

A: Easy! Nancy Drew and Lois Lane. I’ve looked up to these two fictional women for the majority of my life. Lois Lane actually inspired me to go into journalism in the first place; she is this ideal intrepid reporter who always does whatever she can to discover the truth. I always loved when a fictional character could be a strong and confident woman, who did not take any bull from anyone, could do anything her male counterparts could do, but you know, in a fierce pencil skirt and heels.

The first book of a considerable size I ever read was “Nancy Drew and the Secret of Shadow Ranch” when I was six. My dad had a copy and when he realized I could easily finish a “Junie B. Jones” book in one sitting, he gave it to me and I was hooked. Honestly, I even carried around a blue notebook like Nancy. Lois Lane inspired me, but I wanted to be Nancy Drew. She always was looking for the truth and she was wickedly smart and never gave up, even when she kept getting knocked unconscious. Her stubbornness and relentless determination, taught me those qualities are not bad, but ones to be admired.

Q: What are some activities you enjoy doing?

A: Depends on my mood – seriously, I’ll get into a rut doing the same things for months at a time. Right now, I’m kind of obsessed with murder mysteries, so anything to do with that, I’m down to do. I’m currently reading the “Truly Devious” series by Maureen Johnson, freaking out about the premiere of “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists,” and even listening to podcasts about famous unsolved murders (please, let us discuss JonBenét Ramsey).

Besides my current obsession, I love baking and playing board (and a few) video games. In all honesty, I’m mostly waiting for the new Nancy Drew computer game to be released.

Q: What are some problems you anticipate/have encountered as a woman in your field?

A: I’ve only really worked as a journalist in safe spaces provided by whatever university I am currently enrolled in, but I can only imagine what it will be like as a public relations professional. While I think my coworkers (aka fellow cast members) will treat me with the respect I would deserve, I’m not as confident clients, outside influences and even journalists will treat me as equally as my male counterparts.

When I was just a cast member working at the Haunted Mansion, I had male and female cast members not believe what I was telling them simply because I’m a woman. It’s the real world and unfortunately, some people honestly just suck. I tend to write it off as a “them issue” rather than a “me issue.” If Lois Lane can win a Pulitzer in a skirt and heels, I can stomach the patriarchy.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

A: It’s kind of funny, but the one piece of advice I will probably always remember is my mom telling me that if you have to inquire about the price, you probably can’t afford it. While I’m pretty sure we were talking about a purse on “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” it is a really great piece of advice when deciding on any kind of financial decisions.