We’ve all been in this situation—you have a job/internship/class you truly hate with a capital H. There are two options—whine and complain to everyone who will listen (and even those who won’t) about how horrible your life is. Or you can use it as a springboard to motivate you to work harder to get through this not so great experience.
That’s exactly what happened to former George Washington University Style Guru, Erin Cunningham. Her first job right out of college wasn’t ideal to say the least. But instead of giving up on her NYC dreams or letting it get the best of her, Erin spent her time at the office kicking butt and all her free time networking to find a better job. Not only did her efforts find her that better job—but she landed a dream position as the New York Editor at Refinery29.
Erin shared with us five things she’s learned post-grad to help inspire, motivate and educate those of you interested in breaking into the industry.
1. Approach EVERYTHING with an open mind. Running errands and tackling a major news piece may seem like tasks that are completely different ends of the spectrum, but they are both equally important to becoming a well-rounded employee.
2. Make connections—and keep up with them. How many times have you met someone at a dinner, launch, or networking event, exchanged business cards, and then never spoke again? It may seem overeager, but you never know how staying in touch with these people will help you in the long-run; they could easily become your colleague – or boss – one day.
3. A work-life balance is attainable—and is important for your sanity. Always remember to provide yourself with some “me” time to disconnect, zone out and recharge.
4. No task is ever too big—or too small. So many people have the misconception that as they climb up the career ladder, the minute tasks will disappear—but they won’t. Instead, remember to keep an open mind and know that every single job you’re doing is contributing to a bigger picture.
5. Even the worst experiences are worth it in the long run. My first job out of college was nothing short of a nightmare, but it also helped me develop skills and a work ethic that I never would have learned had I been in your average entry-level job. It pushed me to devote even more time to networking (so I could get a new position ASAP) and eventually gave me a leg up on my peers for having experience in a field that most do not have, but is beyond applicable to a career in editorial. And while I would love to take back some of the screaming 2 a.m. phone calls I received on a daily basis, in no way do I regret my time spent there; it made me a stronger person and employee in the long run. Oh, and it taught me that I can pretty much handle anyone—and anything—that gets thrown my way. And what more valuable experience is there than that?
