CALLING

Growing up I looked at school as a place to hang out with my friends over a place
to learn. I loved the creative subjects: art, English, film studies, but really
struggled to apply myself to anything that didn’t interest me.

I vividly remember when it came time to decide what I wanted to do at university,
my main goal was to have fun and do something creative, which led me to pursue
a practical film degree on a whim of becoming the next Sofia Coppola.

Leaving university was a shock, and I continued my ambiguously creative
dreams. For three years my jobs ranged from: barista, to fashion assistant, to TV
researcher, to dressing mannequins, to a deli meat and fish counter – I did it all.

I fell into my role at a publisher, taking on a temp position as an editorial assistant,
where I spent my days assisting the editorial team with data entry, before falling
in love with the world of journalism and the boundless creative opportunities it
held.

And looking back it makes sense, my favourite films growing up were 13 Going
on 30 and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and I obsessively read Teen Vogue,
Empire and Nylon magazine – how on earth did I not know that I wanted to be a
journalist?

In my five years covering the television industry I’ve gone from editorial assistant
to editor, and it has been a truly amazing journey.

One day I’m working from home, turning out copy for magazine deadlines and
analysing data for trend pieces, and the next I’m dressed up and walking a red
carpet for a premiere or catching a flight to an international event.

I’ve created podcasts, interviewed some of my heroes and all the people who
decide what goes on television, travelled places I’d never have been otherwise,
ran events, was a PPA Next Gen Awards winner (formerly 30-under-30) and get to work with a great team across
editorial, sales and marketing.

I’ve managed to achieve my goal of doing something “ambiguously creative” and
I couldn’t be happier with my career achievements.

This summer I was lucky enough to be sent to Los Angeles for a month to cover
the LA Screenings, and whilst I was there the writers strikes began. I spent the
day driving around all the studios and interviewing people on why they were
striking, before heading inside to meet with the studio bosses causing all the
chaos.

It was a true career highlight and solidified my love for my job and the industry.