Growing up, my home life had hit some troubles due to my parents’ divorce and some other problems my parents were having. They were unable to be of much help about college and career even though they wanted to help if they could and were supportive. I felt very alone to try to find my way, and when you are a teen that is hard. Money was tight and figuring out all the financial aid was hard. College career centers at high schools aren’t always that helpful — ours more or less told every girl to go one direction. It was only years after that I saw the scope of the very many careers and types of work, industries, etc. you can have! But for many years I didn’t really feel a sense of direction. Having not been exposed to much beyond what was in my city and what I had seen through school, I felt lost. I decided on a path, headed towards it, then tried another, only to find myself again unsure. Luckily, God had a plan.

At 22, I was introduced to a career and industry I didn’t know existed through a hobby: Playing sports. I was lending my free time to it for six months to help promote my team and before long I realized, this was the direction to go. I loved the work and it made me feel energized. It was a challenge each time and I felt fulfilled by it. Most of all, it fit right into my skills — I was not just crazy about the work, but I was actually very naturally good at it. How I had wished someone in my high school career center or my counselor would have showed me this career path earlier! By the time I had set my sights on it as a future career path, I was already capable of doing the work from the past things I had done with it. Within five years later, I was in a job doing it for a living, and two years after that making more money than I had ever before — and all of this having more or less taught myself how to do the work! It’s something that taught me time and time again that there are a lot of jobs you can get into or jobs you can advance in once you’re in simply by learning and educating yourself. I didn’t go to college for the career I had chosen, but I did earn enough work history and teach myself the necessary skills to be able to land not just one but several great jobs! I later continued college because I needed it for future potential, but I never forgot the lesson as long as I lived: You can teach yourself many great careers and you can advance in them by doing so.

Here’s how:

1. Learn. I was adamant to learn whatever I could about not just doing the job but also, in advancing forward. I learned about the industry and how it operated — what were the major job positions and titles? Which were entry level that I might be able to get into, and which would be those I should aim for in the future? I reached out to people at companies in the industry to do informational interviews and learn all I can from them. Almost nobody responded, but I didn’t give up and eventually here and there, people helped. They told me certain skills I should ensure I have, what technology and software were popular in the industry, and what companies were looking for in candidates at my level. I also continued to learn to improve my skill and ability to do the job. Believe it or not, by the time I switched my major in college for a degree specific to this industry, I had not only more or less taught myself how to do the work, but also was in a director position in the industry! Anything is possible with eduction and it is important to understand: Education can come from a variety of ways — including educating yourself.

2. Do. For a few short years, before I got my first “real” job in the business, I worked for free — internship — while earning a living at another job. There weren’t any internships directly at companies in my industry where I lived but I needed background and experience to put on my resume or I’d never land a job in it. So, I offered to work for free wherever I could and as often as I could on the side. I’d work at my regular job that paid the bills and when I had free time each week, “donate” my ability to other organizations, companies, etc. to build up my direct experience. Within a short time, I not only landed a job in the industry, but quickly advanced into higher level positions and better companies that paid more. As you are aiming for your career, be willing to earn some stripes like this. Most corporate careers have low or unpaid internships to give college students skills and training on the job, and in return you can get the necessary background needed to move forward. It doesn’t mean you have to be in college, or that you have to seek out formal internships. You can lend a hand to companies on your own as I did and it will work nearly as well.

3. Hustle. Most of all, you’ve got to be willing to keep moving and working towards what you want — relentlessly and tirelessly at times, but it truly works. Had I not been so aggressive in my pursuit the job and career I wanted, I would not be where I am today. Doors wouldn’t open, people wouldn’t help me — once I sent out over 200 resumes in two year’s time without even a single response! I did not stop moving and I did not give up. If a door felt closed, I looked for another, and another. I never gave in and I never gave up. As you try to get into a career, change your course or turn your life around, it’s going to be difficult at times — don’t sweat it. Just keep hustling! Keep making lists of what you want, who you want to talk to, and keep moving towards it. All those times I thought I was not seeing doors open actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise — I landed in a part of the industry that opened more doors — and bigger doors — than I could have ever imagined!

If you want to be a fashion designer, don’t just look into school — talk with other designers, find them and tell them what you’re interested in, ask for insight and help. Offer to lend your time — even if free — when you can or have free time to learn, learn, learn. If you want to be a musician, keep looking for contacts — most people in business can be found online, who you can reach out to even if by a phone call, note or email. If you want to be a reporter or a TV correspondent, reach out to the media in your town and see if there is any way you can get in — even if just for an internship. It can open up more doors that you ever know!

Lil Miss P

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