If Your Dream Job Doesn't Exist, Create It
As I’ve been reflecting on my career trajectory (read: river, not ladder), I’m frequently reminded of an essential catalyst: Shortly after college and completing my first two photojournalism internships, the 2000 census data was disaggregated, highlighting the increasing diversity of the population in the Triangle region of North Carolina. I decided I wanted to highlight this, somehow, with a series of photocolumns—and make it my job.
I went to see George McCanless, Senior VP of the News & Observer where I was freelancing. He asked me a number of questions and sent me on my way—to dig deeper. I did more research, and went back to George. He asked me more questions, gave me more homework. This continued as I refined my vision. I set up meetings with the heads of the community papers. I created samples of my vision, which was to photograph and write about different celebrations that would, coincidentally, highlight said diversity with a positive tone. George always made time to meet with me.
In the end I submitted my complete proposal, and the paper agreed to create the position for me—with the salary I wanted and the equipment I needed. I was thrilled.
But I didn’t take the job.
I was 22 and decided on something a bit safer, but still exciting. A trio of the community papers needed a photojournalist, a position that already existed. BUT, they also would soon be merging and re-branding, and the powers that be wanted to take the paper’s visuals in a new direction. That is the job that I took.
However, it’s the lessons I learned in the process of envisioning, detailing and expanding on my dream job that have shaped my career the most. Nearly every job I have taken since has featured the opportunity to take a previous position and re-shape it to manifest a new vision, or has been of my own making or a special never-been-done-before project. Most of them have manifested as a result of my own persistence and determination. It was George who taught me that persistence and determination would pay off. I have been ever grateful.
These are some of the other lessons I learned:
1). Don’t say no to your own ideas before someone else does. If you have a vision, it’s likely a worthwhile one. Bring it to the light.
2). Co-conspirators may be necessary. Avoid keeping your vision to yourself out of fear or control when it may require assistance, support or a boost from some other trustworthy person who can help you develop or expand on it.
3). Do your homework. Invest in your vision and do the research required to present a fully formed idea.
4). If a position doesn’t exist, that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. The world needs your innovation. If you find a niche made just for you, fill it. If it doesn’t exist, create it.
5). Pay attention. Engage in conversations with others in your industry—IRL and online. If you’re a (budding) journalist, read the news. Join professional organizations. Go to conferences. Listen to what people are talking about.
6). Build relationships. Keep in touch with colleagues and mentors. If you interview for a job and don’t get it, keep in touch with the hiring managers and whomever else you got to know in the process. SERIOUSLY.
7). Don’t burn bridges (see numbers 2 and 6).
8). Be curious.
9). Identify your needs. When do you need stability and benefits, and when can you afford to take risks?
10). Reflect & refine. Find a method and cadence for reviewing what’s working and what is not. What are you doing to nurture your goals and what may be distracting you from doing so?
11). Know that the job that’s posted may not be the one that’s needed. What can you add that’s not listed in the requirements? How can you build on the basics of the position with the skills or experience that you have and give the organization an enhanced version of what they’re seeking.
12). Follow the signs. Pay attention to support for your vision and accept what’s offered. This may come in the form of articles, people, space, data or energy. Don’t ignore assistance, no matter how small.
*I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention the wealth of support I had in those early days of my career. From Will Sutton and other editors at the N&O, to the photo editors, Robert Miller, Bonnie Jo Mount, Matthew Fortner, John Hanson, Swayne B. Hall and Kevin Keister, to the amazing photographers (the late Chuck Liddy, Scott Lewis, Ethan Hyman, Johnny Andrews, Susana Vera, Sher Stoneman, Gene Furr, John Rottett, Robert Willett, Harry Lynch, Mel Nathanson, Corey Lowenstein) I am likely forgetting others at the moment.
