I just got back from an interview an hour away one way, and although I wasn't expecting much, it really got me down in the dumps, so I am posting to vent. The interview was at a local NBC affiliate news station for a part time camera operator position. I went to the interview dressed in a suit and tie and hoping I could convince them to give me a full time job or maybe a different position. I have completed three years at a prestigious technical school majoring in Film/Animation and although I have yet to graduate I thought I would at least have a chance at getting a camera operator position. The guy interviewing me was the lead engineer for 25 years at the station and he looked at me after sitting me down in a big conference room and said "So I know why you're here for the camera operator position, and potentially an audio technician, but what are you looking for?" I explained that I have yet to find a job in my field and that I am really looking for a career where both my interests and my passions will be fulfilled and I think my skill set and education definitely qualify me...pretty decent answer I'd say. He starts off by saying "The camera operator position doesn't go anywhere." So basically it is a bullshit job for $7.15/hr which for 3 hrs a day wouldn't even cover my gas to get to the studio. He said they don't have any full time camera operator positions and because I live so far away he could not count on me to be on time if there is bad weather. So fuck. I am fucked already. He then goes on to say that TV is a hard business to get into and anyone they hire would have interned there or would have prior experience at another TV station doing the same thing. I went on to tell him my skills in editing and animation and multimedia of all sorts and he said that what they do isn't creative and doesn't have any WOW factor so no one is needed for that. He said because I don't have any experience that the creative services department wouldn't even consider me. He walked me to the door and while standing on the steps looking into the lobby the Today Show was on and Anne Curry was speaking on the tv in the lobby, he said, there are thousands of people in your same position with similar skills who will never make it, it is all about luck. He said "there are thousands and thousands of Anne Curry's, she just happened to get lucky and got on national tv." He went on to say that I will have a hard time finding a job with a major in film and pretty much said I won't ever find one. So I'm trying not to feel like shit, but I guess I can learn from it and rethink my options as I'm still young (21), and I still have time to figure out what I want, but I want something creative and different that utilizes my skills as an artist in multimedia. I just think I picked the wrong profession.
I'm sure luck has a lot to do with it, but fuck that dude. I think TV is the old media, and it doesn't surprise me that it's not a creative industry. I think you might have more luck doing your own thing on the side, and working the bullshit job just to pay the bills. Even if you don't become world famous at least you had the balls to pursue your dreams. She may be on National TV, but the internet is worldwide.
Your interview sounds like it was a very sobering experience, I feel for ya bro. Its one of those rites of passage that either motivates one to work harder or it could truly "crush ones spirit" and convince a person to give up. At least you know what you're up against and there aren't any illusions holding you back. Being completely focused on your objective helps you fight through situations that evoke feelings of uncertainty. The road to realizing our goals isn't always an easy one but we can count on adversity to temper our wills. You'll find something else. "It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." ~Theodore Roosevelt~ Good luck and stay green.