Hi!
As someone who works in this industry, I know how easy it can be to get down on yourself. This is a competitive, cutthroat industry and a lot of times hard work and talent don’t translate into opportunities and success. This is an industry that you have to love because it won’t love you back. That being said, I am living proof that it is possible to make a career in this business and be successful. Here are some tips/advice I’ve learned along the way — some of these are much easier said than done, but they are always good reminders when you are feeling down.
Don’t compare yourself to others- For me, it was very hard watching my peers in college get jobs, while I struggled, when I did just as well if not better in school than them. I have also had positions where my peers were fresh out of college and I was significantly older than them. It’s very easy to question why they got opportunities quicker than you or farther ahead in their career than you. Just remember that it’s not a race and just because someone got an opportunity quicker than you doesn’t mean they are more talented or hardworking.
-Take advantage of opportunities no matter how small. In this business, nothing is going to be handed to you. Your post mentioned not wanting to go after fruitless opportunities. Unless you’re running into scam jobs, no job is pointless when you are trying to break in to the industry. Take every opportunity as a chance to hone your skills, learn something new, and make connections. My first job out of college was at a local cable access station. At the time I was embarrassed by it in comparison to what some of my other peers were doing (remember: don’t compare yourself to them!!). But it was a great experience in the sense that I could be a big fish in a little pond and get to hone my skills in a lot of different areas. I would highly recommend reaching out to a cable access station in your community, even if it’s volunteering to shoot a government meeting once a week. It gets you actively out in the community and making connections with people. The more connections make the better. I was able to land what was my dream job at the time because of the recommendation of a co-worker. You never know who you might meet that might lead you to another opportunity. So say yes to opportunities even though they might seem “fruitless” at the time.
-Use social media to your advantage. When I was starting out, using social media for content/branding/marketing was just in its infancy. Now it’s the norm. Anybody can now be a content creator and you don’t need to work for a company to put your work out there on a public platform. So make a documentary. Post it on social media and ask for feedback. Worst case scenario, use it as an opportunity to grow as a storyteller. But all it takes on social media is for someone to share it to someone who then shares it to another person. You never know who will eventually see your work, which can potentially lead to opportunities.
Hope this helps! Good luck!!!
Share your insight
Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.
9 Comments
Join the conversation