LUCKY OR NOT: HOW I GOT MY JOB IN MEDIA
Spring 1999. I moved from Chicago to Boston for a promotion at my current employer. I had been working as the regional market manager for a high-end creative staffing agency, managing a team of a dozen people in two offices. I was transitioning into a new position and a new city.
And I was miserable. It had nothing to do with work. It had everything to do with my life.
Five years earlier, my mother had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. She was 59. I was accepted into graduate school at Chicago's School of the Art Institute. My brother was enrolled in a Master’s/PhD program at UPenn in Philadelphia. And my sister had been planning a move to Seattle with her new fiancé. Back home in suburban Washington, DC, my mom sat us down and told us she didn’t want her Alzheimer’s to interrupt our lives. We reluctantly agreed and followed our dreams.
Now, it was clear we were needed at home. Our father was overwhelmed. My sister was the first to move back, followed by my brother. I was in Boston with this new role, thinking weekend trips would be enough. But, in my heart, it wasn’t.
One DC weekend visit, I went out for a few beers with Jay Danner-McDonald, a high school /college pal and brother-from-another-mother. As the drinks flowed, I became more and more open about my unhappiness. Always the hero, Jay recommended I come to work with him at the Discovery Channel. I laughed it off. I've been working as a talent agent for the past four years. He reminds me I was a good editor in college.
Another beer. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea. I’d be close to home. It would be entry-level and the midnight shift. And it would be a big pay cut. While I enjoy my career and the money, it’d be great to use my college education.
Another beer. I said I’d do it if a.) he was serious and b.) an offer was faxed to me on Monday morning.
Monday. I was sitting at my desk back in Boston when I got a phone call. It’s Jay. He tells me to go to the fax machine. There is an offer letter. As expected, it was 1/3rd of my current salary and the graveyard shift, but it would get me back home. I accepted.
Despite some initial misgivings, Jay knew I had the skill set to do the job. College had prepared me well on the ins and outs of video editing and the basics of producing. But I also had the experience of working in a talent agency, giving me the know-how to work with other creatives, manage people and projects, and navigate corporate politics and client relations.
I was prepared and capable even if I would be applying my talents differently.
Thus, my career in media started.
Since then, I have grown from a graveyard shift formatting editor to an Emmy-award-winning executive producer and show developer. I have worked on both the network and production company sides. I have been full-time staff, contract, and everything in between. I have done coffee runs, slept on couches in audio suites, trudged through shin-deep mud in China’s rice patties, thrown away uncomfortable heels near Times Square, been stuck in airports, offices, and Lyfts, and worked with hundreds of incredibly talented people.
The early years were a difficult time. Many people I worked with had no clue about my mother’s illness and why I had moved back home to the Washington, DC area. I didn’t want anyone to see me differently–to see me as someone to be pitied. I was very private and worked hard to keep my family life invisible to my colleagues. When things were rough–like frequent visits to the ER, I would put on a brave face and say, “I’m just tired.” I sometimes regret not being more honest about what I was going through. I had lunch with a Discovery alumna a few years ago. We discussed those days, and she mentioned that I had seemed distracted. I revealed what my life was like then. She was astounded. I don’t know if I would be so private these days, nor would I expect anyone who worked for me to feel they couldn’t talk about it.
I know more than one employee has heard me say family first. I always meant it.
Producing became a wonderful outlet for me, and at Discovery Channel, I expressed myself in many ways. I could take chances on projects. In 2005(ish), I worked on a limited series called The Family of Jesus. It needed a new narrator. I recently saw a stellar movie with an incredible actor whose voice was perfect for the program. I was determined to work with him. I called the Talent Director at the network and said, “Gretchen–we’ve got to get this actor to narrate this!” She was as thrilled as I was, recognizing he was a unique talent. We booked him for his first narration session. The actor? Peter Dinklage. Gretchen and I giggle about this to this day.
Even though I couldn’t see it at the time, all the elements of my life led me to my career in media.
My education made sure I understood how the sausage is made. All those classes where I had to recreate famous film scenes were vital to knowing what it took to make things look easy. My high school job working at a video rental store gave me an informal education on film and television history. The financial and emotional support of my loved ones allowed me to make decisions that may have seemed crazy at the time (30% pay cut?!?) but paid off in the end. Did I crash at my parent’s house for a few months? Yes. Did I beg a BFF to go in on an apartment with me so I could cut costs? Oh yeah. Did my family remind me that two stints in art school were enough risk to last a lifetime but still supported me? They did. (Note: I’m Irish-American, complete with the whole Catholic guilt programming. This type of poking is a type of love language. And cursing.)
I did possess one intangible skill that helped me succeed: a why not attitude. I have faced countless scenarios where I found myself out of my depth or questioning my abilities. Many times, I’d walk away. Who wouldn’t? If someone doesn’t walk away from damaging situations, then it’s something much bigger than finding the right job.
But more often than not, I’d think to myself, “Why not? You can figure it out, Shannon.”
I’d research solutions, jump in, swim, swim, swim! When tackling a new situation, there is crying, questioning, sleepless nights, and everything else. But I also believe that most people can figure out how to solve a problem. That attitude, I think, is as valuable as any degree.
One time, I was interviewing applicants for an entry-level production coordinator job. Many were good. One woman–a recent college grad –knocked my socks off. She had a degree in theater and no television experience. She outlined how she would have to think on the fly, find solutions, and make sure the play would go on. I hired her. Fifteen years later, she’s a top producer on a multiple Emmy-award-winning docu-series. Grit, determination, problem-solving, and a why-not attitude go far.
Was I lucky that I had a friend who gave me my shot? Sure, but I’m fortunate to have someone like Jay and others in my life who are dear to me, job lead or not. I could get all philosophical and say all of life is luck, random moments, and a world where Gwyneth Paltrow ends up with John Hannah every damn time. Sure. It is. But it's also taking risks, failing, meeting people, staying connected to those people, being interested in what you do by constantly learning, and saying, why not?
Take a chance on yourself.
Use everything in your quiver: talent, luck, family, friends, pluck, drive….whatever. You may be surprised by what you’re capable of–and what life can bring you from even the saddest of circumstances.
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About the Author:
Shannon Malone-Benedictis (she/her) is a two-time Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker, creative consultant, speaker, and facilitator. From writing her first play at age 10 to executive producing documentaries for Disney+, Netflix, and others, she's always loved telling stories. Learn more about Shannon’s speaking topics and creative services at padlincreative.com.
