The transition from college to a 9-5 job in the entertainment industry can be daunting. It can be easy to compare ourselves to our peers, causing anxiety if they land a job before we do. How does someone even find a job these days? How do I prepare for what’s next? Having just gone through this transition myself over the past year, here are 5 things to consider as you transition into post-grad life:
1. Bring a positive attitude and be ready to learn.
Being teachable is an important trait to have as you transition into any new stage of life. If people trust that you are willing to show up and put in the work to learn the things you don’t understand, they will be more likely to take a chance on you and share their knowledge with you. It isn’t easy to train the young employee that walks through the door with a sour attitude. It is much easier to train the new worker who listens, asks questions, and responds well to feedback.
2. Your college experiences matter more than you think.
Remember that time when you put together a day-of-show sheet for that lowkey on-campus event? Remember when you made connections and talked to business partners at your school conference? Good experiences and events are great to brag about in job interviews, but don’t be discouraged if some bad experiences come to mind as well – those are some of the best learning opportunities. Remember that time when you handled an event conflict? What did you do? How did you find a resolution? What did you learn from the situation?
Those experiences will not only help you talk about the parts of the industry that you’ve already dealt with, but also show that you’ve overcome adversity in order to be successful. Reflecting on these experiences will also help you discover the characteristics you possess that would make you a great candidate for the job you are applying for.
3. Make connections and keep in touch with them.
The entertainment industry is large, but you’d be surprised to learn about how connected everyone within the industry is. Your middle buyer hears about job openings at agencies frequently – keeping in contact with your middle agent could lead to a professional job opportunity for you in the future. Your programming advisor might have connections that could lead to a job in the industry that you’ve been interested in for years. Maybe the person interviewing you actually knows some of your references.
Don’t be afraid to ask your mentors/advisors for help. These connections could proof read your resume or cover letters, help you search for job openings, support you as you prepare for interviews, etc. You can also ask anyone you connect with in the field you’re interested in if they would be willing to tell you a little bit more about their professional experience and/or their business. People love to talk about themselves and most people also enjoy helping students and young professionals find the right path for them.
4. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” and make sure to ASK QUESTIONS!!!
No one expects you to know everything once you land your first post-grad job. No question is a stupid question, especially when you are eager to learn. It can be a struggle for this generation to be worried about failure and embarrassment – believe me, I know. According to a 2024 Barna survey, “about two in five Gen Z report always feeling uncertain about the future (39%), anxious about important decisions (39%) and afraid to fail (38%).” It can be so daunting to take the leap into a professional career after college.
Asking questions about the industry or even reaching out to see if certain companies are hiring is a great start for you to figure out what direction you want to head towards. Once you land your first job, continue to ask questions. Be curious. Ask your boss to tell you all the things you want to know. If you’re looped in on a conversation and they mention a phrase or a term that you’ve never heard of before, make sure to ask more about that later. If your boss asks you to do something and you have no idea what they’re talking about, ask them to slow it down and explain the concept to you. Doing this will help you to grasp your job faster, and it will reassure your boss that you want to learn and understand all of the new skills and responsibilities of your new position. Ask your coworkers about their experiences, what they’ve learned since they’ve been onboarded, strategies that helped them stay organized, etc. It is reassuring to hear that the people you work with have felt the way you feel and have been in your shoes before.
5. Be patient.
It can be very overwhelming to be told that you should have a job lined up prior to graduation or that you need to know exactly what your end goal looks like as soon as you walk across the stage and accept your diploma. Try not to lean into the pressures that society and social media put in front of our faces daily. It is MORE THAN OK to not land your dream job straight out of college. You have no idea what great skills and perspectives you’ll learn from those opportunities as well. The right thing will find you at the right time, so don’t forget to be present. It can be incredibly difficult to focus on the season of life that you’re currently in when it seems like everyone around you is bragging about the wonderful new opportunities that are right in front of them. Remember that comparison is the thief of joy and there is so much life to live right where you are!!
Be kind to yourself – transitions take time!! Take time to figure out what you like and what you don’t like and realize that you are just getting started. You still have your whole life ahead of you – be excited, take chances and do the things that bring you JOY.
Alanna Tisler
Entertainment Operations Coordinator | How To Concerts
Alanna is a talented singer. This love of performance naturally inspired a passion for the music industry. After planning many events on her own college campus, she now helps our clients with contracts, paperwork, and marketing. Have questions for Alanna? Feel free to reach out.
Alanna Tisler
Entertainment Operations Coordinator | How To Concerts
Alanna is a talented singer. This love of performance naturally inspired a passion for the music industry. After planning many events on her own college campus, she now helps our clients with contracts, paperwork, and marketing. Have questions for Alanna? Feel free to reach out.
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