Task 2D - Inquiry
Changing career paths at the age of 23 was something that terrified me, it sounds ridiculous, but all i knew was how to sing dance and act theoretically. I mean I always had other creative passions that I had pursued, but this is what I had professionally trained to do and the fact I was stepping out of this close-knit industry was initially terrifying. Once I’d tested the waters and certified my other passions all I wanted to do was learn and better myself, so in answer to the questions from the reader, please see below...
What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more? Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic?
The fact that I am so new to my career that I love, inevitably means that every day I am enthusiastic - learning, reflecting and growing. I want to know everything there is to know about fashion and interior trends, fabrics, buys, future seasons etc, utilising every tool that can enable me to eventually grow and succeed in this chosen field.
It is a loose answer to the second part of this question, but anyone that strives for what they really believe in or what they believe is achievable I truly admire. Undeniably one has to be honest to themselves with what really is achievable, there are many avenues out there and we shouldn’t be scared to walk them. We have to be driven to succeed in what we believe in.
What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found a way to work around the sadness or anger?
It sounds extremely self-indulgent, but the fear of not succeeding makes me angry and sad. With the pressures there is in today’s world it installs fear within me.
I feel that I share this view wholesomely with the majority of my peers, we live in a world today where one can barely survive on their own in terms of financial situations, and the general cycle of life is put on hold so someone can simply earn more money – inevitably this is what it comes to.
From previously being part of the theatrical industry (as I’m sure many of my BAPP colleagues would have felt) it is very easy to relate to that negative streak that twinges away inside that we all try so hard to ignore. Reflectively, I now consciously choose to surround myself with positive people and feed from their good vibes. My close friends who I have huge admiration for in all of their chosen paths will discuss our concerns together and talk through them positively.
What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love?
I am passionate and love what I do, mainly because it took me so long to strive and reach for my goal. Every day is different and I finally feel like a professional in my field, and can finally see direction. My sister is someone who I admire as an example of what I love, as she also believed in changing her career path and took a positive attitude in doing so and was also the driving support behind me when I made this decision. She took a dramatic wage cut to choose the direction of working in a field she loves and is hugely passionate about the outcome. She taught me not to be scared in changing direction which is inspirational.
What do you feel you don’t understand? Who do you admire who does seem to understand it or who has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or beautiful, or has asked the same question to you?
What I still don’t understand is that since graduating from The Urdang Academy we were advised to take as much work as possible even if un-paid to gain experience and build up our CV’s. When I changed direction in my career I again was advised to work as an intern at different companies to prove myself and gain credits on my CV. Initially for me this was a great thing as I was able to tread the water before jumping straight in and am so thankful for the companies that gave me the opportunity, but after 18 months you do start to question - how long does one have to wait before they have proved they are worthy of paid employment??
To become an intern you usually have to send relevant cover letters and CV’s and complete at least 1 interview, which does not secure you a place. I believe companies should enforce an intern wage where individuals can still gain the experience they need to enable them to progress whilst still earning (not solely paying travel-expenses, which not all companies offer). I have many friends and colleagues that have interned for a minimum of 2 years whilst holding down part-time jobs to help them further their careers. It is so tough for individuals today to seek employment anyway, without having interned and I don’t totally agree with, or understand this. I don’t disagree with internships and work experience placements as they do give the individual an insight of professional life and what department/company they may want to work in, as well as gaining necessary experience, but working for months at a time without any earnings does seem to me unnecessary and unfair. A lot of high-end designer brands use interns massively; I have many friends that have interned for designer brands for 6 months at a time without any earnings.
Interesting articles below...
1st article, founded in NY Mag, gives Paul Smith and Vogue’s Grace Coddington views on being an intern.
2nd article taken from ‘The Guardian’, can students afford to be interns?
In answer to the second half of the question, to be honest I haven’t really found anyone that I admire that understands why this is the scenario we find ourselves in today. We all blindly understand that this is the only way to gain experience and seem to have accepted it in order to progress.
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteYou have done the most courageous part of your journey - realising that you needed and wanted to change career. The act of committing to that change must have meant a certain amount of critical reflection (perhaps without appreciating what it was "called" at the time). I too, recently took the courageous step to change and I am now aware that I used a method of critical reflection to finally commit to the change.
I think your question of can a student afford to be an intern is a valuable one. I applied for a job last year for which I did not get an interview (even though I knew that I was fully capable of the role) and was offered the opportunity to work as a volunteer to "gain experience" within that particular work place. I could not afford to accept the offer as I work during the hours they would require assistance, but it gave me strength and another reason for me to apply for this course. In every job, there is a certain amount of learning required. I found I learnt the "skill base" I needed at college, but I actually learnt the "trade" by working and being paid. Why should we work for nothing? It reminds me of the scenario that used to be with Equity - You could not perform without an Equity card, but to gain an Equity card, you had to perform!?! There are always loop holes to be found. Maybe it boils down to the old saying of "It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know!"? (Perhaps Part 3 will assist us with this!?) At the end of the day, why should we put ourselves in the vulnerable position of unpaid work and when and who decides the time you should become salaried (for the same job?)? Thanks for posting this Hannah. I hope you persevere with applying for jobs and learning, like I am through this course. :-)
Best Wishes,
Jo