College Experiences That Helped An Alternative Programming Coordinator At MACRO Succeed
Erika's undergraduate experience taught her that it's "okay to not have similar goals" as peers, focusing instead on "the lasting impact" of her work and how it would affect others. This realization, diverging from the scripted media focus of many classmates, empowered Erika to confidently pursue a career path in unscripted television and documentaries, a field that may have less "prestige" but aligns with their personal values and ambitions.
Career Exploration, Confidence, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals, Motivational Stories
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erika Rodriguez
Coordinator, Alternative Programming
MACRO
Northwestern University, 2020
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. It's okay to have different career goals than your peers. Focus on your own path and desired impact rather than comparing yourself to others.
2. Explore diverse areas within media, such as unscripted TV and documentaries, and don't limit yourself to traditional paths like scripted film or TV.
3. Develop confidence in your own choices and don't be discouraged if your interests differ from those of your peers. Comparison can be detrimental to your progress.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
In undergrad, I definitely learned that it's okay to not have similar goals as everyone else. That didn't mean I wouldn't achieve success, or the success I wanted versus what my peers wanted.
A lot of people I went to school with always said, "I want to be a director," or "I want to be a writer," or "I want to be a producer." I cared less about the actual role and more about the lasting impact of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to touch other people's lives.
This didn't necessarily align with how other people wanted to. Many of my friends in college wanted to work on scripted movies and TV, writing the next "Harry Potter." I felt ostracized by that.
I was the kid watching unscripted TV and documentaries, things people didn't seem to care about as much or that didn't have as much prestige. But, each to their own at the end of the day.
Ultimately, being able to see that I was on my own path, and my peers were on theirs, really helped. It made me feel more confident in the decisions I was making for myself, rather than comparing myself to my peers. Comparison helps no one.
That definitely helped me, and it still helps me today.