Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Why is NETWORKING so important?
Networking. This word is a powerful one. Networking can mean the difference between interning for a year or more before landing a job and landing one straight out of school. By far networking is one of the greatest skills you will learn in life and should try to learn before you leave school.
Director from Nelvana, a large animation studio in Toronto, Ontario, says in his launching lectures at Sheridan College, "Look to the left of you, now look to the right. Be nice to these people. One day you will either be working with or for them." Here he introduces students to the reality that they have to present themselves professionally and practice that with their peers. When you get into the real world, you might be working right next to the person you might have made fun of in school. Or, worse in that case, working under them.
Networking is also about getting yourself out there. Being shy is not really an option anymore. If you want the jobs you have to get yourself known. Especially in this industry. If people have no personal connection to you in anyway but they do with another candidate, who do you think they will choose? Try to attend as many networking events as possible to meet people and start getting yourself known.
Last summer I attended the Pixar Animation and Story Masterclasses in Toronto hosted by VanArts. During the breaks before and after these classes I introduced myself to as many people as I could. I became close with a few and most importantly, I kept in touch with them over the past year. Now we are coordinating going to another network event together, we give each other advice or opinions on each other's posted work and we encourage one another. I would hire these people in a moment if they were applying somewhere I worked.
In another instance, my 3rd year internship at GUS VFX was obtained from a connection I had as a student that I kept in contact with. She was in third year when I was in first but someone I was dating was in the same year as her. I made many connections with the third years in there and, again very important, kept in touch with all of them throughout the years. When a position came up for a graduate to become an intern, I was first in line.
These connections are crucial and you need to start making them now. The perfect opportunity to do that soon is at the Welcome To The Industry Party hosted by TAAFI. This is a networking event that will allow people in the industry or just entering to connect with one another. You meet people there, keep in touch with them, and who knows... one day they might just have a position for you! I have hooked up a few friends from back at school with great internships and I would be more than happy to do that again.
So get out there and NETWORK! You never know what amazing opportunities will follow.
Get in touch with me! Introduce yourself! We may be working together in the future.
E-mail me at karenwonderswhy[at]gmail[dot]com.
If you want to be added to the mailing list for future networking events just send me an e-mail stating so and I will be more than happy to add you to the list.
Director from Nelvana, a large animation studio in Toronto, Ontario, says in his launching lectures at Sheridan College, "Look to the left of you, now look to the right. Be nice to these people. One day you will either be working with or for them." Here he introduces students to the reality that they have to present themselves professionally and practice that with their peers. When you get into the real world, you might be working right next to the person you might have made fun of in school. Or, worse in that case, working under them.
Networking is also about getting yourself out there. Being shy is not really an option anymore. If you want the jobs you have to get yourself known. Especially in this industry. If people have no personal connection to you in anyway but they do with another candidate, who do you think they will choose? Try to attend as many networking events as possible to meet people and start getting yourself known.
Last summer I attended the Pixar Animation and Story Masterclasses in Toronto hosted by VanArts. During the breaks before and after these classes I introduced myself to as many people as I could. I became close with a few and most importantly, I kept in touch with them over the past year. Now we are coordinating going to another network event together, we give each other advice or opinions on each other's posted work and we encourage one another. I would hire these people in a moment if they were applying somewhere I worked.
In another instance, my 3rd year internship at GUS VFX was obtained from a connection I had as a student that I kept in contact with. She was in third year when I was in first but someone I was dating was in the same year as her. I made many connections with the third years in there and, again very important, kept in touch with all of them throughout the years. When a position came up for a graduate to become an intern, I was first in line.
These connections are crucial and you need to start making them now. The perfect opportunity to do that soon is at the Welcome To The Industry Party hosted by TAAFI. This is a networking event that will allow people in the industry or just entering to connect with one another. You meet people there, keep in touch with them, and who knows... one day they might just have a position for you! I have hooked up a few friends from back at school with great internships and I would be more than happy to do that again.
So get out there and NETWORK! You never know what amazing opportunities will follow.
Get in touch with me! Introduce yourself! We may be working together in the future.
E-mail me at karenwonderswhy[at]gmail[dot]com.
If you want to be added to the mailing list for future networking events just send me an e-mail stating so and I will be more than happy to add you to the list.
Monday, April 1, 2013
What Your Internship REALLY Teaches You
As I enter in to my last week of my 3rd year internship I am taking time to process what I have learned not about the software but of the industry.
Turns out I was wrong.
I went through school with the presumption that if I did really well in school and got myself a good internship that it would be easy to find a job after school. In this sense I was wrong. There is so much more to it.
I am learning very quickly that this is a very small industry. The people you go to school with will be your coworkers. Networking with your peers on all levels will help you get a job after graduating.
The harsh reality is: you are not guaranteed a job after graduating. You are not guaranteed a job within six months, even. The only way you can keep yourself in the game is to constantly be aware of what is happening and where.
Some suggestions:
Look on job boards regularly, find new job boards, apply even if there is no posting, attend networking events, keep in touch with your peers, and try to make yourself known on the web. Be active with twitter and keep your linked in updated. These things will help keep you connected.
Don't ever think that anything in life is guaranteed. I have been on top of the class for all three years and worked my butt off. Luckily for me I am also good at networking. When you get into the industry you are going to need to be.
For those who make excuses about being busy or already having a job or being busy with internships...too busy to attend the networking events... I implore you. Attend anyways. The connections that you make may just get you a job one day.
There are some that I now know in the industry who may not be the best animators or lighters or modellers but they are really good at meeting people and making themselves known. This is a crucial skill in life.
So try your best at networking and always remain professional with your peers. You never know what the future may bring.
As Nevada director Jason Groh says "Talent will get you in the door, networking will get you the job"
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