Questionnaire for Journalists: Emma Sandler, Glossy
ERPR’s series, “Questionnaire for Journalists,” features members of the media and asks about their lives and careers.
Emma Sandler, reporter
I connected with Emma Sandler, reporter at Glossy.
How did you first get into journalism? What was your first job in journalism?
I have almost always been passionate about writing stories, ever since I was in elementary school. It was something that always felt natural, and was a creative outlet. As I entered high school and began thinking about college and a career, I decided that journalism was more application-based than a major like English or literature. Depending on the definition of "first job" I would say that my first journalism role was as a technology journalism intern at a small digital publication called ChicagoInno (short for Innovation) while I was attending Northwestern University to earn my master's in journalism.
How do you decide what you write or publish?
Glossy has a very clear point of view, which is about examining the shifts in power taking place across the fashion and beauty industries. So I always gauge the significance of a story on that premise, but I of course also ask about what is new or different and this applies to all and any stories I have ever written.
What is the most interesting news story you’re following right now that you’re not covering?
I'm a big fan of commodities histories, which are essentially biographies of stuff and places, and I wish I could cover how Covid-19 is changing personal habits, homes and cities. For example, there have been some wonderful and intricate stories connecting commuters to the vital real estate tax from offices that keeps New York City going, while we're also witnessing cottage industries focused on outside dining or at-home entertainment emerge. It's fascinating to see these microcosms of sociological changes and journalism really is the first draft of history.
If you weren’t in journalism, what would you be doing?
Such a hard question! Sometimes I think about what it would be like to be an entrepreneur or an investor or even work as a Chief of Staff in government. But then, on other occasions, I think about how it would feel to be a merchandise buyer or own a small bookshop dedicated to books about women and by women. To partially quote Sylvia Plath, "I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want ... And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life."
What do you read or watch every morning?
In pre-Covid 19 times I would listen to the NPR station WNYC every morning as I got ready for work, but these days it's mostly incessantly looking at Twitter and scrolling through emails before getting out of bed.
Where would you most like to live?
I've always wanted to be in New York City, so I'm happy to have made it here. But the reality is, I could live pretty much anywhere.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I have a specially reserved jealousy for people who can sing and would particularly relish the opportunity to sing opera.