A Note On Tenacity
So now that it's been nearly a year since graduation, I am starting to find that more and more people are asking me for "career advice." I have been asked by many of my younger friends questions like "if there was one piece of advice you could give me upon graduation, what would that be?" For me the answer has been consistent and simple: Keep in touch with the contacts you create and never stop making yourself known to the people who you think will be able to help you achieve your goals.
I have found that persistence has gotten me through so many doors over the last few years. I do not believe that I could have gotten my various jobs with PBS or my voice-acting gig had it not been for my incessant phone calls to producers and pokey e-mails saying "Hi there. Remember me? I'm that one who won't leave you alone until you give me a job!"...well...maybe I don't word it QUITE like that but I think I've made my point. That is, don't be afraid to let your voice be heard. Potential employers like that because it shows that you are interested in the job.
However, it's not enough to just be persistent before you've gotten the job. It is just as important to continue to be present in the lives of those who can help you while you're working and even, in many cases, after you've left that particular job. Remember, the people who help you while you're working will probably still want to help you after you've moved on to other projects. Take every opportunity you can to learn from your superiors. I am slowly amassing a cadre of mentors and I am trying to learn everything I can from them; whether it's about the job, the "biz", or just life in general. Even though I've not been in the work force that long, I have already found that I have learned quite a lot and that those who have been my bosses have remained excellent contacts and references for the future. They want to see me succeed and they want to help me so why not accept their help, right?
When I'm between jobs, I make sure to remember those who have offered their help in the past. I send an e-mail or give them a call saying "Hi. This is what I'm up to. Do you have any interesting projects or know anybody who does"...that often yields something (if only a reminder to that resource just how awesome you are).
So I suppose that's it. Persistence pays off...especially if you intend to go into a particularly competitive field. And these days, pretty much every field is a competitive one.
Until next time, Good Readers, I bid you adieu!
Peace, Love, and Ukuleles,
Bethany