Her Story
About Christine
Christine Martinson retired a year ago after more than 30 years in the New York State school system, where she worked in high schools and the guidance department supporting students and teachers. She and her husband, who met in high school, raised their son on Long Island before relocating to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since retiring, Martinson has been taking classes in digital marketing and learning about AI while researching and writing a guide for high school students facing college decisions, along with an accompanying workbook. Her work now centers on entrepreneur education, reaching out to women who have retired and lost a sense of identity, and providing alternatives to traditional college paths in the digital world.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Christine
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I used to work with this one woman, and she was a librarian... she told me... Everybody thinks that because I'm a librarian, I know everything. And she says, I don't know everything, but what I tell them is, I don't know, but I can find out. And that's through my career in high school, in the educational industry... if I was asked something, I would keep that in mind, say, you know what, I don't know that. But I can find out for you.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise that Just to, Take a moment, take a breath, and pause for a moment. And just know that At some point, everyone is... is at that learning point... So, don't go into something... with the idea that you need to know everything, go in knowing that you have the capability of learning. You have the strength to... Apply, and you have the... Just focus on the fact that you know, you have strengths. You, you can do this, and that, It's... it's all a learning curve... just keep... keep faith, keep going. And you'll get there. You know, just give yourself some grace. And just believe in yourself, and your strengths, and know who you are, and don't bend to anything else. Keep focused on what is important to you, and just, keep moving forward.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges is... are... some of the challenges are, the educating myself And, you know, I'm a... I'm a planner, I'm a doer... But now, this is all discovery... discovery on my own, so it's really challenging me to stay focused and, And... and just keep learning, and... Just try to, You know, make the situation, my situation, better through... just what I'm learning, the courses that I'm taking... it and giving myself grace to do that, is really important... I love learning new things... But now I'm depending on myself to get that done, so that's... change. I don't have someone depending on me to do it, I have to depend on myself to do it, and that's, I've got to push myself a little bit, but you know, it's a, it's a process, but, I'm looking forward to the journey.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My important values are my, my faith in God and my family. And, It helps me very much. Along my way, along my life. Just to be, kind to people, and also to... Think... in a kind, in a kind way... Stay calm. And just, you know, Portray yourself as someone that is Open to listening. And, and kind when you speak. And, you know, that's really important with my family... my husband and I, you know, we met very young, and we really grew up together. And we both came from broken homes. So, it was important for us to, keep our faith And... and raise our son in a home that was loving... family is very important to me, and And just being together, and, celebrating each other, and, you know, that's the most important.
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