Posted on 2021-05-06
Life is unpredictable. You never know what could be coming up in the road to career and success. Getting a degree in a specific field can feel like a box that you have to stay within; why waste four years, or more of college courses? However, unless you studied medicine or law, which are specialized fields, you shouldn’t allow yourself to feel like you cannot explore opportunities given to you.
I studied graphic design and told myself that I would not start a job unless it allowed me to be labeled as “Graphic Designer.” I arrived at SunSpin Media through a series of events and ended up in my current position here as Marketing Director and as Executive Editor of our magazine Your HWHS. I did, however, nearly sabotage myself and not take the position when it opened, because I wouldn’t have “graphic designer” in my title.
Most of my resistance was due to fear and uncertainty. I had never thought of myself as a leader. However, once I accepted and settled into the role, I found a place for myself in the world of marketing.
Most of my knowledge had to be learned on the spot, and that’s okay. There are many tools and resources out there to educate yourself in topics new to you. Having a supportive team behind me was also helpful. Having them to turn to when I needed help or advice was essential to my transition to my new role.
Now I have confidence in my role and know more than I did this time last year. It was all because I pushed through the walls of the box that I told myself I had to be in. Opportunities don’t come around very often and taking the chance, breaking through that box, and learning something new, or expanding on your current knowledge, can lead to something big.
I am truly grateful for the chance given to me and the room I was provided to grow and learn by the SSM staff and management. And I am thankful to myself and proud of myself for not giving into fear.
Every day is an opportunity to learn something and what you do with it is up to you. Do not be intimidated by the world outside the box’s walls because they were made to break through. There is a world beyond them, and it is waiting for you to find your courage to go explore.