Best Career Move I Ever Made
A Compilation of Stories from LinkedIn
Patty Mooney Mics Up a Woman for “Date Night on AMC”
Best Career Move I ever Made has always been a hot topic on LinkedIn. As a member of LinkedIn, there are a few groups to which I belong. Sometimes I’m fortunate enough to stumble across a great discussion regarding business or in particular, the field of broadcast production and multimedia. The following discussion, in which professionals share their own personal stories of their best career move, I felt was worth sharing with you….. Interspersed are some production stills we have shot over our years of producing and shooting video here in San Diego. – Patty Mooney
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I’m curious, if anyone is so inclined to share what the best career move they ever made? – Sally Blake, Voice On Fire
I spent three years of my life working on an incredibly rewarding project called EAST 182nd STREET. It was a dramatic television series which was completely created by Bronx teens and pre-teens. It featured a cast of 45 non-professional teens and pre-teens and was by far the most challenging and rewarding program I’ve ever done.
Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney on Set with Alex Smith, Jr. for Glaceau Water
It was life seen through the eyes of a teenager and was completely unpredictable. It has been a lot of fun for viewers who have seen it in a variety of venues. We couldn’t sell it to American television, so we were only able to complete four episodes, but it was a crazy, wild, creative ride and that is the best thing I’ve ever done. And of course there was a whole personal mentoring side to the project which was incredibly valuable and rewarding for all of us. Thanks for asking. – Mark Gasper, Independent Motion Pictures and Film Professional & Business Television & Multi-Media Creator
Get a Mentor
Did you know that statistics show that we have more than one career in a lifetime? Years ago when I was trying to become a full time firefighter is was and still is VERY competitive. (Especially for a woman) I would say to NEVER give up. If you believe in yourself you can accomplish your goals. If you have a selfless mentor it helps. I am now trying to incorporate what I learned in the fire department into my voice over career. Warmest Regards – Sally Blake, Voice On Fire
Patty Mooney and Mark Schulze at Mission Bay with Apollo Anton Ohno
I got laid off from a good, steady job and went freelance. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but I’m working right now with my 2-year-old son on my lap and it’s hard to beat that. (Don’t worry, I’ll get more work done soon when his mommy takes over.)
– Tor Kingdon, Co-owner / Sound Guy, Hear Kitty Studios
Going Home Was this Man’s Best Career Move
Great question! Not sure how to answer it, though. The best thing I suppose was being dogged in my pursuit of work when I lived in Colorado which landed me at High Noon Entertainment which is one of most prolific production companies for non fiction TV. I guess the worst thing was walking away from that after I felt I was burned out. But… it led me back home to Maryland where I have found the love of my life so… hard to say. 🙂 – Gay Pinder, Production/Communications Specialist
Two things –
1. left my “safe” staff job and went freelance
2. Stopped letting other people define who I was and what I did and went after
projects that added different skills to my resume. – Mike Stivala, Show Runner at MY Tupelo Entertainment
Small Fish, Big Pond
my best career move was that I moved across country – I left my steady job as a the BIG fish in a small pond to join a BIG pond where I was a smaller fish. I increased my knowledge and my job skills to a level I would never have reached if I didn’t make such a big move. In terms of being out of work – try doing freelance- if you write – write for a local blog or newspaper – if photography is your thing .. shoot and showcase your stuff to local outlets. Always remember – there are always NEW things to learn and you should always choose the harder path…. it’s the one that’s more rewarding in the end. – Danya Levine, Supervising Producer at CNN
Interesting question. I can’t NOT do what I do so I’ve pursued every opportunity to do it with great enthusiasm and, as a writer, written and written and written. I’ve been writing since I was 5. When I’m producing, I make sure that I’m the best at whatever I do. I produce from the front and find that being willing to run out to McDonalds for 150 cheeseburgers at 4 in the morning gets far better work from my cast and crew than driving up in a limo on the day we get steak.
Deborah Osment, Filmmaker
Mark Schulze Interviews Barbara Niven on Set of Pensacola: Wings of Gold
Entrepreneurialism – Best Career Move for Many
The best thing I ever did for my career was starting my own Production Company after being laid off from my software development job. I was so miserable there and I had been wanting to move into filmmaking and video production for a LONG time but was a little worried about the money situation.
I got laid off and used the unemployment money to support myself while I was building my business. Best thing that’s probably happened to me on the job front. Now I’ve had the chance to work on so many interesting projects as well as direct my own movies and commercials, which has been amazing. =) – Paul Del Vecchio Film & Commercial Director, Triple E Productions
Life Happens When You’re Making Other Plans
Best thing I did: marry my “bride” of 16 years this coming April. I was drifting at the end of a long radio career and just getting into voice-overs; she encouraged me and (emotionally) supported me as I moved from Connecticut to the New York metro – I thought I’d grow old with a loyal audience in Hartford/New Haven and retire from there.
But life is what happens when you’re making other plans (John Lennon said that), and life has been good so far. I’ve been freelancing at voice-over without a fallback for 20 years this month (plus a couple of years part-time previously). Adding a dimension: the strangest thing in my career is about to happen. I was in a college band that decided to go pro and make it as serious progressive rock artists; needless to say, you never heard of us (unless you lived in Providence RI and knew a band called Benefit Street).
After the Break-Up
We broke up, I returned to radio and then voice-overs. Last April, someone wanted to digitize our demos and would-be masters for a project on RI music of that era. This occasioned the band reuniting by e-mail and recording one more song (adding parts live or virtually) for our album, which I expect to release on my label, Presence, in the next few months. The strange and wonderful part: the writer/lead singer, Rob Carlson, who has been professionally active musically throughout, is releasing a new album himself – “Pieces of Paradise” – and has asked me to join his band and tour with him again after 39 years! The release party/concert is set for Saturday, March 20th at Stage One in Fairfield, CT.
Sorry for going on so long. Thanks for letting me “be amazed in public” about this. I’m still doing voice-overs – and having fun – but the reality of this additional new adventure is beginning to sink in, and I’m still getting used to how amazing it is! – Paul Payton, Voice talent at Paul Payton Voice-Overs & Narration
Take a Break
The best thing I ever did for my career was to take a break (while I still really enjoyed it) to raise a family. When I climbed back in, I had grown in ways I never could have foreseen. My passion for my work and my skills were only heightened by the time spent fully engaged elsewhere. I’m privileged to be have a career that I thoroughly enjoy. And in retrospect, leaving it made the return even sweeter. I am a full believer in the notion that you can have it all but not all at once. – Kelley Rugg, Principal, Producer/Writer Rowboat Productions, LLC
Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney Interview Rachel Jensen, Girls Think Tank, on Homelessness
Being at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival (where I am now) as a composer to represent and support the film CLIMATE REFUGEES. Just got an offer to do another film and enjoying the festival tremendously. This was a great decision!!! I love the screenings and the panels. And I love talking “film and music” which is part of my soul. – Michael Mollura, Composer/Writer
Leap of Faith
I believe the best career change that I made over 4 years ago was when I relocated to Spain. I have always remained in production, 16 years or so now. But working in a completely different environment and in a different culture enabled me to have a broader sense of production in the global sense. Many doors have opened throughout the world and continue to do so. – Andrew T. Keech, Executive Producer / Partner at Team Works Production, Only Nine To Five
What a great thread!
I think my best career move was quitting my well-paying job. This was when they wanted to move me to another state and take my studio away. I started my own shop in 2005 and never looked back. It’s afforded me numerous growth opportunities that never would have happened otherwise. Growth can be scary and uncomfortable. But when you look back you realize how much you’ve changed and your smile is a little brighter. Now I’m making commercials, documentaries and creative video projects for businesses large and small. Next up will be a short film just for the love of it. – Steven Washer, Principal, TotalView Media
In conclusion, the insights of my LinkedIn pals resonate deeply. That’s because my own best career move was embarking on a path of continuous learning and personal growth. Amd by embracing new challenges, I discovered my true potential and honed valuable skills. Consequently, this move propelled me towards fulfilling work, allowing me to make a positive impact and find true fulfillment. It’s a decision I’ll always cherish, a reminder that sometimes the best career move is the one that takes us outside our comfort zone and towards the extraordinary.
