(Film Production Major)
I just saw a career counselor at my former college, a facility that has something to do with George Lucas. It was depressing. In a "group" session, I was told the obvious fact that careers have to do with "networking," the irony being that I didn't want anything to do with one single person in my "group" session. The cinema production part of the career session was incredibly UNproductive, like this:
After going to a college for a very specific major, I realize that I should have studied history, art, philosophy, and literature because even in a very specific trade, I currently do not have a job, but what's worse is I lack some common knowledge about some things that could make me interesting at parties. My point is, although my major provided me with a network of friends and teachers in a specific field, what it still hasn't provided me with is a "how to" on today's job market. I expected to find this at the career center, but instead I found some common knowledge I already knew. Not only that, I was met with some jaded counselors that had already been through the industry and I didn't really want to become more jaded than I already was.
Photo Credit: Richard Legg
Lindy DeKoven's Coaching came to the rescue. Not only professional, Lindy met me with some positivity. I came to her with three dilemmas:
1) I had been laid off, but served as an NBC page for The Tonight Show right before the writer's strike and wasn't sure whether to contact them or not (especially with the current transition to Conan, yada yada).
2) I started doing standup and liked it, but didn't know how to market myself.
3) I was confused.
Now, you may only identify with the third dilemma because everyone is confused right now, but you will be happy to know that Lindy was able to offer me some advice on how to obtain and maintain my connections within the entertainment world. Rather than just telling me to "network," she provided me with the "how to."
Lindy's tips were as follows:
1) Email everyone from the page program and The Tonight Show that you've connected with along with the basic note: "I know we haven't spoken in a while, but I was wondering if you'd be available for an informational session...(etc)" (I had done this before, but she told me to do it again...and I got responses).
2) Send out your headshot/standup reel to market yourself (and she offered some resources for this process).
3) Take your confusion and be resourceful with it. (In my case, because I want to be a writer/creative type, she offered suggestions for part time jobs still connected to entertainment that could provide me even more connections).
SO, IT WAS TIME TO GET OUT MY VIRTUAL ROLODEX:
After a session with Lindy, I felt empowered and way more positive than before. The very personal connection I formed with her was productive because she was actually excited to give me advice. She was my "career therapist," so to speak. Now, the next step is for me to follow through and UTILIZE her techniques.
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