Story Time: How I Got My First Job in Television
Hey Everyone,
Today I wanted to switch it up a little bit and do my first storytime. I get asked a lot of questions about my career and there’s often one question I get asked the most. It’s normally along the lines of how I got started in television. Well, today we’re going to talk about how I did it.
Ready? Let me set the scene for you.
The year was 2012. I had just graduated from the University of Maryland and was eager to find a job. I spent my entire college experience with an internship. And when I say I interned…baby…your girl had an internship, a job, and was writing for the school paper every semester. I interned at the radio station in the morning, and for different magazines during the summers. By the time my senior semester hit, I was traveling back and forth between NYC and the DMV every other week to intern/write for an online publication. I was super focused. I just knew that I was going to graduate and get a job as a writer for a magazine or get a job at the radio station. At that time, my dream was to become a writer and get my own radio show.
Little did I know, God had other plans for me.
After graduation, reality quickly set in. I applied to every job in sight. I reached out to every single contact I had. Unfortunately, it was straight up crickets for your girl. Nada. No movement. The weeks quickly turned into months. I picked up a job as a hostess at a restaurant and would do inconsistent non-paying assistant jobs. I also moved back home. By the end of 2012, I was hopeless. I decided to go back to the DMV and start over there. I’d get a job at a law firm as an assistant and hit the entertainment market. A smaller market would be easier to break into vs NYC.
At the same time, a close friend of mine decided she was going to move to London for a year. Therefore, leaving her assistant position open at a major TV network. She needed to fill the position ASAP. She reached out to me and asked if I had any interest in working in television. Initially, I told her no. Working in TV, was not something I envisioned for myself. In true good friend fashion, she told me to she didn’t care and was nominating me for the position anyway. Within a few days, I met with her boss. Her boss said I’d have to do a trial run two weeks. If it went well, I’d get hired right after. I accepted. I was unsure of how this would work out for me. Working in tv wasn’t my dream. However, I needed a job and I had a weird gut feeling that this would lead to something bigger.
Over those two weeks, I worked my ass off ya’ll. I was the first one in the office, stayed late, and put in the work. At the end of the two weeks, I just knew I had the job. However, on my last day there, my possible boss said she wasn’t sure. I was crushed. Over those two weeks, I realized that I loved working in tv. It opened my eyes to an entirely different set of dreams. Dreams that I didn’t even realize existed. I saw a vision for myself, of what my life could look like for years to come. It wasn’t a frivolous vision, it felt and still does feel like a God-given vision. However, I didn’t get the job. I was crushed.
With my plan B in motion, I accepted the job at the law firm in DC. I packed my bags up and moved. The following Monday, I started at the law firm. Let me tell you, I lasted 3 days. By that following Thursday, I was miserable. I had no idea what to do. So, I did what I always do when I’m unsure about things. I prayed the prayers of all prayers. I’ve always been a prayer person, but this prayer felt different. I asked for guidance, for opportunities and promised that if I got another chance, I’d go even harder.
The next morning, I got a call from my possible boss. She apologized for the delay and offered me the job, starting immediately. I got the job! Unbeknownst to me, accepting that job started my career in television. It’s been 8 years, and I haven’t looked back since.
A few lessons from that experience.
1. You can have a vision and still be flexible. Get out of your own way.
Could you imagine if I would have been stubborn and said no? Who knows what my life would look like today.
2. Sometimes God and the universe will speak to you through others.
My friend saw something in me that I couldn't see. I 100% believe God can and will speak to you through others.
3. Network across.
Networking with my peers, the people in the same job and experience level as me has helped me tremendously along the way. The same assistants I started with, are now VPs and leaders of major companies.
4. Give every day 100%.
Simple.
5. Have a lot of faith.
Faith in God, a lot of praying, and manifestation is part of why I am where I am today. I pray when things are good and/or bad. Faith and hard work can get you a long way.
I hope this inspires you to keep fighting and pushing forward on your journey.