Can I tell you something?
I find networking events to be awkward. I never know exactly what to say. Plus – and this something I need to get over – I’m secure about being unemployed. Not to mention I’m usually older than everyone in the room. It’s something that makes me shy away from social gatherings. But I do feel that it’s necessary, which is why I knew I had to attend BuzzFeed’s Happy Hour hosted by Ed2010.
After squirming in the packed pub, I listened as each editor spoke about their daily duties. Some said “no two days are the same” and that was music to my ears. And one explained the culture as “a kindergarten class with snacks, toys, and couches.” I’d gladly call dibs to be a part of that classroom.
I was ready to give my elevator pitch, but I quickly realized that I didn’t have to force it. What I wanted from the conversation was right in front of me. Here are five lessons I learned from Ed2010’s Happy Hour with BuzzFeed editors:
1. Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number
When I realized that most of the attendees were fresh out of college I immediately began to tense up. How in the world do I compete with that? Apparently, it’s not only something I was feeling.
One editor leaned in almost whispering her age making me rejoice. Granted, she found her dream job, but like me, it took her a while to get there. That proved to me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And there is light for you too!
2. Creating A Personal Brand Is Key
When I was freelancing, I once listened as my editors talked to seniors at a nearby college. They spoke about the importance of having a blog. At the time, I was thinking about creating one even though I was unsure what I was going to write about.
An editor at the event reinforced that idea. As she spoke to the group, she racked her brain trying to remember names of bloggers. That’s right. Instead of thinking of well-known travel writers, she was thinking of bloggers. So much so, that she reached out to them to freelance for BuzzFeed.
3. Your Dream Job Might Require Different Skills Than You Think
I was most surprised by this one. Did you know that one of the main skills a travel editor needs is Photoshop? Me either. I had no idea, but now that I think about it, it makes sense. In addition to quality content, what draws people into travel posts are the pictures.
4. The Road to Success is Always Under Construction
For me, where I’m at in my life right now, there is no truer words than these. I can’t tell you how exhilarating it was to hear each editor’s journey to their current position. Their stories differed, but they taught me that it doesn’t matter what path you take. What matters is that you use it wisely to get where you want to be. That was especially true for a travel editor. She went from a full-time employee to a freelancer and back to a full-time employee again.
5. Push Your Passion
This might sound like a given, but don’t allow your current work situation (or lack thereof) define you. Focus on the things that excites you. The topics that you could spend all day talking about and it never get old. For me, that’s food and healthy living, which I excitedly discussed with the health editor. You never ever know where it’s going to lead you and when you’re excited about something, it’s evident.
