How Identity Has Influenced an Associate Production Manager's Career at Dreamworks
Priyaa's career navigation as an Indian woman in media involved overcoming initial parental hesitation about a non-traditional career path, a common experience for many. Successfully addressing this involved creating and communicating a detailed career plan, demonstrating commitment and ultimately earning their pride, proving that "laying that plan out is super, super important."
Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals, Motivational Stories, Practical, Actionable Tips
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Priyaa Kalkura
Associate Production Manager
Dreamworks Animation
MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai
University of Sydney, Film Studies
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Highlight 1: Overcoming parental expectations - Priyaa discusses the initial hesitation from her parents regarding her career choice in the film industry, which is common among Indian families who traditionally prefer professions like engineering, medicine, or law. She emphasizes the importance of creating and communicating a clear plan to address their concerns and gain their support.
2. Highlight 2: Importance of a strategic career plan - The interview highlights the significance of developing a well-defined career plan, including educational steps and professional goals. This strategy helped Priyaa not only gain her parents' trust but also provided a roadmap for her career progression.
3. Highlight 3: Breaking cultural norms - Priyaa's experience sheds light on the challenges faced by Indian women in non-traditional career paths. Her success story serves as inspiration for students aspiring to enter media or other fields that may not align with traditional expectations in their culture.
Transcript
As an Indian woman working in the media industry, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
Being an Indian woman, many Indians watching this will relate. Our parents often want us to study engineering or become doctors or lawyers. When you don't follow that path, you're a disappointment.
Things might be changing now, but when I was getting into this field, that wasn't the case. My parents were still a bit hesitant about me entering the film industry.
I navigated this by telling them, "This is something you haven't seen anyone do before, but I'm passionate about it and want to pursue a career." Making them understand, setting a plan, and showing how I would execute it was what helped me.
I told them about the course I was taking and what I would learn. I explained that once I learned, I would figure out my next steps. My plan was to get a job by a certain time. Laying out this plan really helped them understand.
That's what helped with my parents. Now they're very proud and tell everyone I work in the film and animation industries.
Laying out the plan is super important because most Indian parents think, "Oh, my son or daughter isn't doing engineering, that's not good." So, just laying out the plan is crucial.