Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Will I Ever Find Work At All?
Shifting out of the industry doesn’t mean leaving yourself behind. Here's how to navigate the identity shake-up that comes with changing careers. For many in Media, our job titles weren’t just roles—we wore them like a second skin. “Producer,” “Editor,” “Director”—those weren’t just credits, they were identities built from years of late nights, on-set chaos, and impossible deadlines that we somehow always made. So, when the industry shifts—or we shift away from it—it can feel like losing a part of ourselves. It would be much easier to just wait it out with a nap like Sleeping Beauty. But consider the possibility that you can explore new horizons, and stay true to yourself as well.
Sleeping Beauty
Still You: Staying Grounded in Uncertainty
The shift from production to something new can stir up identity whiplash. But you’re not starting from zero. You're starting from earned experience.
Here are a few ways to stay grounded as you pivot into a new chapter:
Reframe your experience: You didn’t just manage chaos—you ran logistics, handled talent, oversaw budgets, and hit deadlines with finesse. That’s operations, comms, and project management in ANY industry.
Create structure in your search: The silence of freelancing between gigs is tough. A simple routine—learning, applying, networking—gives your day clarity and your mind some peace.
Redefine your value beyond a title: You are not your last credit. You're a creative problem-solver, a conceptualist, and someone who turns ideas into action. That matters, wherever you land.
You’ve pivoted between projects a hundred times. This is just another one. And while you wait for a wake up, check out these job boards, resources, and even zone out comforts to aid in self care.
Where to look...besides within.
Flexjobs - Even if you're just looking through these listings to learn the lingo, getting familiar with different job boards will help in the journey.
Upwork - Instead of a daunting career shift, maybe it's a platform swap. Explore gigs on here, is there something you can do?
BingeTV - Rest, relax, and pay less. When going through major identity change, revolt the norm by switching streaming providers...also notice how there are more content companies out there than you thought?
Udacity - Learning on the job is a given, but it doesn't stop when you're out of work. Dip into new subjects, new interests, and new ideas through this education platform. And wonder, what can you teach too?
