In business (and in our personal lives) people are always quick to say “you have to do it this way” or “you will only make it to the top if you climb the ladder the way the rest of us had to” and I have just never understood it. You don’t have to do things the way they have always been done.
Yes, there are certain steps you have to take to be successful. Go to college, earn your degree, do your internships; but beyond that, the world is your oyster… and I learned that fresh out of college.
When it comes to broadcast journalism, it’s always been said that you have to start out in a small market job. You have to put in the two years (make no money), then if you’re lucky you get to move on to a not-as-small market for another two years. By the time you get to where you want to be you are looking at five to ten years. And for some, this process worked for them, I just knew it wasn’t for me. I knew I wanted to get into entertainment news and that I had to start right away.
So, after applying for over 100 jobs after college and getting denied or just simply not hearing back from a single one of them, I did wonder if I was going to have to give in to the traditional ways.
And they say success comes right after you think you are headed for failure.
My parents, my mentors, friends- no one could understand why I was not opening my eyes to the reality that if I wanted to work in this business, I was going to have to do it the way everyone else did. But, I knew deep down in my heart that something was going to happen. I knew the wait would be worth it. And it was. I got a call from a former co-worker at one of the local TV stations in Vegas (a middle market job by the way). I took it and it was the best thing I ever did. It's the reason I am where I am now.
The reason I share this story is because it can apply to any industry. Just because things were done a certain way in the past, doesn’t mean they have to continue that way in the future. If you believe you’re meant to do something, you can do it- and in your own way, on your own time. This applies especially in my industry because news is changing and you have no choice but to keep up with the evolving times, but let this be an important lesson to all of us: be confident in yourself, your skills and your worth. Always stand your ground.
Did you have a similar experience when it comes to your career? Or do you just want to chat about climbing the ladder and how to break the mold? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at jillian@thesocialsisters.co
Comments