How Identity Has Influenced A Vice President Content And Business Affairs At ESPN And Disney's Career
Heather, a Vice President at ESPN and Disney, advises social science students lacking detail-orientation to "pick a topic...that really moves you" and become deeply knowledgeable in that area, leveraging collaboration to compensate for weaknesses; this approach mirrors her own career, where she focuses on business affairs while partnering with others for creative aspects.
Career Development, Networking, Detail-Oriented, Collaboration, Passion
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Heather Anderson
Vice President, Original Content and Business Affairs
ESPN and The Walt Disney Company
UC Berkeley
UCLA School of Law - JD
Ethnic & Related Studies, Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Law
Business Strategy
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Pick a specific topic within your social science major that genuinely interests you and concentrate on being detail-oriented within that niche.
2. Don't strive to be an expert in everything; instead, focus on a specific area of passion and cultivate a network to assist with aspects you find less engaging.
3. Recognize your strengths and collaborate with others to compensate for weaknesses. Concentrate on mastering the details of your specific responsibilities within a collaborative effort.
Transcript
What advice would you give students with a major in the social sciences who are not detail-oriented about finding their first job?
You have to get detail-oriented, but in a way that's necessary in life. In Snackable Bites, the way to do that is to pick a topic within your social science study that is really important to you and focus on being detail-oriented within that topic.
It probably feels overwhelming to be so detailed and in the weeds on such a breadth of things. But what is one thing within your area of study that truly moves you and gets you excited? Then, go deep and stay well-informed in that particular space. I think that will help you stand out.
You don't have to be an expert in everything, but being passionate about a particular thing is key. Also, be self-aware that you don't know all the details of everything in that area. Instead, have a network of people from whom you can gather the details.
If there are things you don't like to do, find a partner with someone who does. In my role right now, the creative people don't want to negotiate deals; they just want to start making content. I enjoy doing that part. So, that's where the handoff occurs.
You build that network around you to handle the parts you don't necessarily enjoy as much. Then, for your part of the puzzle, your contribution to the collaboration, be at your best. That may mean you have to be detail-oriented about the part that is your responsibility.
Advizer Personal Links
none