Welcome to my website. I’m Erica Christoffer. I’m a community, investigative, social, political journalist. Here’s why I love what I do: It’s hard work. I learn something new everyday. I exercise that totally awesome First Amendment. I get to question authority. I use my brain. I challenge and inform others. And in a small way, the information I produce will impact someone’s life… hopefully for the better.
Other stuff about me: I frequently quote “Clerks” and “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.” I didn’t sleep until I was 4 years old. My sleep disorder gave me a lot of time to read as a kid. I love, love, love to travel, snorkel, kayak, see live music and play with my nieces and nephews. Family is my No. 1. Lilacs have a magical smell. I’m a realist with splashes of optimism. Oh, and if you’re passive aggressive, we’re probably not going to get along.
I started this site in grad school as an outlet for my thoughts, ideas, clips, and photos. It is ever evolving (disclosure for the jobbie job: the opinions on this site, for better or worse, are my own).
How I came to be a journo: This journey started as a teenager when I joined my high school newspaper as a photographer. I grew up in St. Louis Park, Minn., then attended undergrad at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn. Joined the newspaper on campus and eventually became news editor. I’m still best friends with several of my fellow college journos (Go Katies!).
Six months after I graduated in 2002, I was hired at Sun Newspapers as the editor/reporter covering the Minneapolis suburbs Apple Valley and Rosemount. A year into my career I was given the opportunity to travel with the Minnesota National Guard to Bosnia to report on the troops’ peacekeeping mission. It changed my life in that I no longer questioned whether or not journalism was right for me.
In July 2007, I left my home state and the job that I loved to pursue my master’s degree at Columbia College Chicago. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Guided by professor Suzanne McBride, I became involved in an investigation with another student, Becky Schlikerman, where we uncovered chronic violations of the Illinois Open Meetings Act by the Chicago City Council. Our stories, which were published by ChicagoTalks and The Beachwood Reporter, were awarded an SPJ Sigma Delta Chi Award in 2008. After a stint with the Rogers Park Community Council’s Housing Action Program, and an internship with the Chicago Tribune, I graduated in May 2009. Needless to say, it was a great two years.
Since July 2009, I’ve been working full time for REALTOR Magazine, the official publication of the National Association of REALTORS. In March, I moved into the position multimedia Web producer. It’s awesome; I still get to do reporting, as well as co-manage the website of a 1.1 million circulation publication.
Chitown livin: Although Minnesota will always be home to me, I’ve found many joys in my adopted home of Chicago — days at the beach, attending any sort of street fair, seeing live music, and hanging with my fiance and our two cats. The people-watching isn’t so bad here, either.
Unfortunately, I have not had as much time for blogging, as of late. But I appreciate you stopping by and having a look around. If you feel like chatting, send me a note at ericanoel [at] hotmail [dot] com. Or find me on Twitter: @ericanoel
Best,
E
