Ever heard your parents say, “What are you going to do with a degree in History or English?” Ever faced the difficult junction of choosing between your passion and your parent’s South Asian advice to go for a degree in science as it gets you the money? Well, here’s the news for those who are passionate about the humanities, you do get a job and you do get a job that pays well.

In a career choosing series named From Backpacks to Briefcases at University of Toronto, three different speakers shared their tales of finding their glorified careers in the world of media.

Here are the Top 3 advices from the three speakers:

Aamer Haleem

Canadian TV and radio personality, Aamer Haleem earned his degree in History from UofT. With various experiences in broadcasting media, here is what Aamer had to share:

1. Talent vs. Perseverance

If you have the talent and you think that you will make it through then you are wrong. Talent alone won’t get you far. You need to be hard working and devote your hours and efforts to prove your worth. Perseverance and patience is always valued higher among employers. So, be thankful that you have the talent but prove your worth through your hard work.

1. Stick to your Principles

Aamer also advised that every time you take on a project, make sure that it stands by your principles, “I don’t smoke and I don’t endorse smoking either. I was given an opportunity to advertise a tobacco company and the amount they were paying me, really made the deal sound tempting. The money made it hard to decide but I had to ask myself, ‘what’s more important, the money or the principles?’ And let me tell you, stick to your principles and look at the long-term goals in your career. You don’t want to sell your principles for that tempting money deal.”

1. Get the Balance Right

In the world of media, your working hours are seldom 9 to 5. Your thoughts    revolve around your work and you are constantly thinking about various ideas to work on. But here is my final advice if you are considering that career path, “Make sure you know how to balance your life. Make sure your family is getting the time from you that they need and make sure you are making enough time for yourself to pursue other hobbies.”

__________________________

Stephanie Savage

Stephanie Savage is the co-creator and executive producer of Gossip Girl. She got into Hollywood when she least expected it. Here is her advice:

1. 1. Be Yourself!

Stephanie says that when she got into Flower Films, Drew Barrymore Production company, she did not match the glamorous environment of Hollywood. Her fashion sense and life style might have been out of place, but her education in Cinema Studies, passion for her work and her talents were right at home. She entered as an internee taking coffee orders and photocopying material and showed her seniors what she had got. Her talented suggestions in scripts got her to where she is now. She was appreciated for who she was.

1. 2. Show up, Shut-up and Shine

Stephanie also advises that once you enter the workforce, be patient and expect the worst. In her words, “Show up to work every day on time and let your superiors know that you are serious about this. No one wants to let go of someone who makes his or her life easy. Concentrate on your tasks, and take orders patiently when you are driven around. They are testing if you can survive under pressure. Your patience and persistence will finally give you a chance to shine.”

1. 3. Don’t Eat with your Cell Phone On the Table

Stephanie says that when she started work, cell phones were new in the market and they used to eat their lunches with their cell phones on the table, just to show off how important they were to their bosses. But don’t do that. Important people are not called, they call themselves. If you want to be high up there, then eat your lunch with others with your cell phone on the silent mode, which means, concentrate on the task at hand. Focus. Whosoever is calling, can wait a while.

_______________

Sharon McAuley

Sharon McAuley, the Vice-President, Group Publisher at St. Joseph Media, graduated with a B.A (hons) in English. With over 23 years of experience as a marketer and publisher, Sharon specializes in strategic brand and new business development of both trade and consumer magazines. This is her advice:

1. Smaller is Better

Sharon said that don’t be scared to work for small companies and organizations. These places give you an opportunity to do more, be more responsible and learn at a faster pace. So, take that opportunity and develop the skills.

1. Put Yourself in Other People’s Shoes

To succeed in magazine publishing, Sharon says that you have to think from many different perspectives. Think from the point of view of the reader and develop a product they want to read. Think from the point of view of the advertiser and reach out to the audience they want to target. You are the conduit that connects these sources. So put yourself in their shoes and you will know what your job is.

1. Following the Money

She finally advised that following money and hoping that it would lead you to your career path is an outdated strategy. Find your passion, your interest and discover your talent, money will follow you. Be good at what you do and you will make a good living. But she also added with a laugh, but if money is your driving force, then go for it.