How Asking a Simple Question Gave Me Insight into Some of the Most Valuable Lessons a Member of the Media Can Learn
In just a few days, I will be walking across the stage to receive my Bachelor’s degree in magazine, news and digital journalism. While this is a celebratory moment, it also comes with deep reflection. Out of all the knowledge I gained in class, nothing has helped me navigate my career more than mentorship. Early mentorship has played a large role in boosting my personal growth and professional success, and it has motivated me to face the ever-changing communications industry with resilience and an open mind.
Out-of-classroom experiences like my internship at Good Housekeeping significantly changed the course of my career. Even after considering the many new skills I learned during my editorial internship, nothing mattered more than the network and perspectives I gained from my colleagues at Good Housekeeping and mentors at Hearst.
My internship at Good Housekeeping, supported by Hearst under NYWICI’s Ellen Levine Memorial Scholarship, involved the associations between multiple organizations, a network bigger than just Good Housekeeping. It opened my eyes to see just how important it is for young members of the media to stay connected and learn from those around them, especially those who have been in the industry for so long.
Over the course of my last days interning, I decided to turn the table on my colleagues and mentors and ask– ‘What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career that you continue to carry with you?’ Here’s what they said:
The Seniors
- Be open to change– take it as a challenge to conquer
- Learn from your mistakes, and try not to repeat them
- Make your boss’s job easier by asking ‘is there anything else I can do for you?’
- Maintain good communication with your boss
- Always be prepared, and have a plan b if possible
- Maintain relationships with those in the industry
- Don’t make enemies– the industry is smaller than you may think
- Enjoy the moments, especially the ones you’ll never get back again
The Juniors
- Management matters– the team you work alongside impacts your output
- Don’t compare yourself to others– stay in your own lane
- Take risks
- Soul search– be in tune with what you want
- Exceed expectations, and *almost* always say yes
- Make yourself irreplaceable
- Pick up the slack of others
- Advocate for yourself early on
- Be in tune with your mental health
- Know your worth– negotiate salary when appropriate, ask for help and value your time by maintaining a work-life balance
- Take a step back to appreciate– everything up to the little things, like being able to see, hear and smell
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