There’s always a demand for enthusiastic, creative, and forward-thinking people in the media industry, however, landing a good career isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Competition is fierce, so you really have to stand out to employers and make a good impression to be in with a chance of getting noticed. If you have your heart set on a career in media, here’s what you can do to stand out from the crowd and get the creative career of your dreams.
#1. Keep up to Date
In the media industry, employers are looking for applicants who stay up to date with current affairs, particularly where the media is concerned. Stay up to date with the latest movies, shows, world news, and even business affairs to really stand out from the crowd. For example, you can follow the upcoming purchasing deal between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media Co at Apexbeats.com. Pro-actively keeping in the loop when it comes to the latest media news will go a long way in impressing your potential employers.
#2. Get Experience
For many media graduates, a lack of experience is the main thing standing in the way of their future career. Although you’ll learn a lot from studying for a degree in a media subject, most employers will only want to take on individuals who have gained experience on the job. Whether you’re currently studying or have recently graduated, this may mean taking on unpaid or low-paid internships, shadowing media professionals, or even volunteering your time to gain valuable experience, which will set you apart when applying for jobs.
#3. Create a Portfolio
If you’re hoping to find a career in creative media, for example, as a videographer, editor or animator, most employers will want to see a portfolio of your past work. If you have a degree in this field, you can use any work completed as part of your studies for your portfolio. You should also be proactive in finding projects that you can work on to add, or even come up with your own ideas for short movies or animations that you can make in your spare time. You may not get paid for all of the work you do, but investing your time into creating a strong portfolio can certainly pay off for you in the future.
#4. Build a Network
Lastly, bear in mind that knowing the right people in the media industry can take you a long way. Along with working on yourself and your portfolio, spending time meeting and getting to know influential and successful people in the media industry will help you make a bigger name for yourself and foster connections that will help with your future career. Attend conferences, networking events, and other events that are in regular attendance by media professionals who you can connect with.
Landing your dream job in the media industry isn’t going to be easy, but it can be done if you have a solid plan to invest your time and energy into attracting potential employers.
