Chapter 158: Pigeonholed
I got a note the other day from a reader with a problem that is as old as it is maddening.
The reader, who asked to be identified as “Discouraged and Stuck,” has a job and is grateful for it. D&S, however, is ready for a change. The problem is that, as she is discovering, people see her only for what she now does, and not what she could do in a different place, with a different assignment, covering different kinds of stories.
Her experience is akin to the funny person in a family who wants to talk seriously, only to be told that they are the funny one and that is who they will always be.
D&S wrote: I’ve been applying to jobs left and right for over a year at this point, and I just got another rejection after putting so much effort into my cover letter and tailoring it to the publication. I’d love to hear your take on how not to feel discouraged when all I want to do is get out of the entertainment industry and do something more impactful with my degrees, but no one gives me a chance to get out. I’ve also just been feeling very disillusioned by the media industry lately and contemplating switching career paths and pursuing book publishing or something.
There was a time when journalists were trained to be generalists – in fact, the entry-level newsroom job was often just that: General Assignment. But over the years more and more journalists have been encouraged to find a niche where they can make their reputations and ascend in careers so unlike those of the past, which were linear compared to today’s often circuitous paths.
The assurance of staking out a place, however, can mean being defined by that place, which is all well and good until you decide you want to try your hand at somewhere, or something new.
I was unsure of how to advise D&S, so I turned to Leonor Ayala, the chief of recruitment and career development at the consulting firm URL Media. Leonor has had a long career as a working journalist, in print and later at ABC and at NBC News, where she also led the network's diversity and inclusion programs.
I wanted to know how people escape being pigeonholed: “What can they do to change or expand how potential employers see them?
Leonor replied: “I’d put my coaching hat on for this one, and ask a series of clarifying questions. For example, is this candidate leveraging their network to get referrals to the jobs they are applying for and soliciting feedback from people in the industry they are trying to break into or pivot to? A successful pivot involves laying the groundwork with trusted people in your network. You want to ask folks to review your resume and cover letter – and answer the questions:
What transferable skills would you be looking for in a candidate like me?
What is missing in my skill set and professional experience?
Could I showcase relevant volunteer experience?
Another key piece of advice is to be clear about what you want to do and the experience you seek in your next role.
Again, it's vital to leverage your network to ask for introductions and expand your network in that industry. When you ask someone for time, always end the meeting or conversation by asking, “How can I help you?” or “Is there anything I can help you with?”
I wanted to know whether there were gradual steps people could take, perhaps moving to a job that draws on their present job's skills and experience but takes them in a slightly different direction?
“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to the career pivot,” she replied. “So much depends on your experience level, the type of pivot you are trying to make, and if you are trying to change industries wholesale, there might be a real skills gap to address. You want to research and talk to people who have done these things successfully and ask about their experiences. URL Media Recruiting offers free webinars on this topic.
Finally, I wondered how common D&S’s lament was.
Leonor replied: “Career pivots are common, and along with them, there is this lament. You are not alone. Find a community. Lean into your network to grow your network. Identify people doing the job you want to do and try to meet with them. It is important to be persistent, dogged, and relentless (all synonyms), but it is worth underscoring this way. If you are looking to build community, we encourage you to join our pipeline and subscribe to the URL Career Newsletter, where we share advice and jobs.”
She continued, “I remember trying to pivot from newspaper reporting to television production in the early aughts—it was incredibly hard. I knocked on many doors, had some slammed in my face, stuck my foot in some doors, and refused to have them closed on me. Eventually, I broke through, but I thought about quitting many times along the way. Give yourself some grace, take a break, and then get right back to it.”
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If you have a question, a problem in your work, if you are feeling lost, stuck, confused, at sea, searching, grappling, or baffled, email me at Michaelshapiro808@gmail.com and tell me what you’re confronting and what help you need.
It is seldom, if ever, the case that one student’s problem or question is their’s alone.
Please indicate if you want to remain anonymous, have your name or just first name included. I will include the question and then answer it as best I can.
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Nothing good ever came from writers punishing themselves. We know writing is hard. We’re here to show that it doesn’t have to be torture