If you’ve read the snippet on my ‘about’ page, you’ve already gained a look into a little of my background. And don’t worry — over the course of this blog you’re going to get to know a whole lot more (it’ll be fun, promise).
I’m currently the Executive Editor of VIVA Lifestyle and Travel, an online publication that creates inspiring written and video content for Millennials. What that means is I make all of the editorial decisions (what gets published, what’s cool and what isn’t, who writes what, etc) and have all the creative freedom I could want in a job.
On the flip side, it’s a ton of work. I’ve sacrificed a shit ton (pardon the language, I rarely ever swear) of my evenings, weekends, and holidays to work, and have had some days at the office where I could (and let’s be honest, sometimes do) sleep standing up. I have to give it 110% all the damn time because at the end of the day, I’m responsible for our page views, our audience growth, and our strategy to keep the numbers going up.
That said, I work with an incredible team of talented people, in a young office where pretty much nobody is over the age of 35. I’m not the oldest, but I do have the most seniority (and experience at the company), and the small team has been the secret to my success.
“The small team has been my secret to success.”
I started the job a little over two years ago, in the very entry-level role of Junior Content Manager. Within six months, the CEO asked me to build a website (through a WordPress template, initially — I have zero graphic design skills), fill it with content, find writers in different parts of the world, and launch it all. Why me? Simply because I had a background in writing and he had seen me work hard in my role, despite its small significance. This is what has since become VIVA, and what garnered over 1 million page views within the first six months.
It’s been my baby ever since then and my job to make sure new content is published every day, that we’re on top of all major global events, and that the editorial calendar is filled far in advance. I’m not going to lie, I’m not always on top of it, but I have learned a lot and added invaluable experience to my resume (which, before now, had only freelance writing and retail on it). It was all an opportunity that I never would have had at a larger corporation, especially not in the time frame that it happened.
“It was all an opportunity that I never would have had at a larger corporation.”
The thing is, dreams change. If you’d asked me a few years ago what I wanted to do, I would’ve said I wanted to be an Editor. I love words, written expression, and can spell in my sleep. I still love all of these things, but I want to do more of it for me, and I want to practice what I preach. After all, we should never limit ourselves, and our potential is only as good as we allow it to be. My new dream job, therefore, is to be a successful travel and lifestyle blogger (holla hoodiexo).
So here it is — my shot. The opportunity that I have created for myself. The job where the time frame is entirely up to me, and everything that I put into it is a labour of love. I appreciate your support, and hope the insight into my life has perhaps shed a little light on your own future opportunities. If you’re wanting to get a job in the media, try looking for a startup. You can build it, mold it, and learn from it, and then at the end of the day be able to say I built that. Blogging is also a fantastic way to start your own editorial empire — join me! Let me know if you do and we can be friends. 🙂
