Meet James McGurk, a Luminate Online user, with UNC-TV, the PBS affiliate for North Carolina.
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Meet James McGurk!
This week's Community Corner spotlight shines on Luminate Online user, James McGurk, with UNC-TV.
James McGurk's Community Profile>
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About James:
Tell us about your family (fur babies count!): "I'm married with two girls, one in high school and one in 8th grade this year. My wife is an Early Head Start teacher who works nearby in Hillsborough. We have some fish, two cats and a dog and live between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, NC."
Where do you live? "Chapel Hill, N.C."
What do you like to do for fun? "I enjoy the outdoors and taking long hikes, as well as playing soccer every week. In addition, I enjoy going to live music events, collecting vinyl and performing as a dj at local clubs and concerts. I also enjoy spending as much time as possible with my family."
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What’s a life achievement you are particularly proud of? "I think the greatest things that I have ever done are marrying my wife and having two great kids. In my professional life, charting multiple Billboard singles, a NETA Award, a Telly Award and being nominated as part of a team for a regional Emmy all rank highly, in addition to launching our first mobile app and first web series with PBS."
What’s one memory that always makes you smile? "Whenever I think of my college roommate, I always smile because of all the good times we had together. We played in various bands and went out quite a bit at that time, too many hilarious stories and adventures to count."
What is one interesting fact about yourself most people don't know? "I was one a certified lifeguard instructor."
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Tell us about your organization: "UNC-TV is the PBS afiliate for North Carolina. In addition to providing PBS content to our viewers, such as Antiques Roadshow, NOVA and Sesame Street, we also produce over 300 hours of original programming each year. We are also a bit unique in the PBS system, as we are a statewide network that covers all of North Carolina in addition to parts of South Carolina and Virginia. We offer four digital services: UNC-TV, UNC-EX, Rootle and the North Carolina Channel."
What’s a typical day like for you? "Come into the office, have a quick meeting about the day's projects. Look at the results from any campaigns that were tested and take action from the results. Meet with some producers about promoting an upcoming program. Perhaps discuss an upcoming grant opportunity or event. Examine the analytics of current projects and touch base with other departments."
What’s the best part of your job? "The best part of my job is working for an organization that is providing quality educational programs for people of all ages, which is especially beneficial for children in the early years. I also enjoy coming up with new ideas and being out in the community at events." |
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What advice would you give someone starting out in the non-profit field? "Stay in school long enough to get an advanced degree related to your field. You will never regret having a Master's Degree as part of your professional resume. Try and get a degree with a specific and targeted application in an expanding field with great long term prospects. "
What do you love about the Blackbaud Community? "I don't know what I love about the Blackbaud community, although I have had a couple people from other organizations go far above and beyond normal expectations to help me out in the past, so hats off to them." |
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Finally.. if you had 24 hrs left before an asteroid hits what would you be doing? "I would want to watch Jeopardy! at least a couple times with my immediate family, as it is kind of a family tradition. Then I would like to go to the beach for an acoustic reggae concert, where we could sit in the shade and enjoy the music while being served craft beers. My friends and family would all be flown in and at the end of the day, we would enjoy a huge community meal prepared by the judges from 'Chopped' and then some fireworks at night over the ocean." |
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