Navigating Careers in the Greatest Cliffhanger of Our Generation

Navigating Careers in the Greatest Cliffhanger of Our Generation

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan’s Tips for Remote Networking, Mentoring, Internships.  #Live on the Career Success Tips Show. Brought to you by ROIinU Digital Marketing Career-Launcher. Seeking a fulfilling and high-growth career? Get the skills you need to succeed -- Apply now for ROIinU’s live interactive course. Next cohort starts soon. Or join the waitlist.  

★Chief Content Officer, Binge Networks [OTT/AVOD] ★Founder of Ruby Rock, LLC [Marketing & Sales Consulting Agency] ★Entertainment I Music I Sports ★Influencer & Blogger

Sales & Marketing Executive with 20+ years of experience in the entertainment industry, Allison Jernigan is distinguished in business management, client relations, strategy development and execution, partnerships, sales leadership, and mentoring. Consistent record of revenue growth with highly motivated sales staff and strong client network. Demonstrated soft skills of time management, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. Focused on film and entertainment, OTT/streaming, music, and non-profit industries.

Your host & guide lead instructor & founder Suzanne McDonald

Brand journalist, education innovator, community launcher, success advocate, podcaster, multi-award-winning Marketing Solutionist. Suzanne McDonald improves lives: from her clients’ customers and colleagues to her students and vast network of expert partners.

As CEO of Angles & Insights, the former Boston Globe journalist and her team customize digital marketing solutions for brands, from solopreneur to corporate sales-marketing teams. 

Suzanne also launched ROIinU, a skills-packed, live-interactive course to guide aspiring digital marketing professionals to career success as well as  Newport Interactive Marketing networking-learning community and Sea Rose Montessori Elementary School. 

She holds a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina.  

#careerchange #careertransition #recruiters, #digitalmarketers, #interns, alumni, #careeradvice, #ROIinU, #NIMLive, #jobsearching, #careerdevelopment, #careergrowth, #marketing101, #marketingjobs, #onlinecourse, #launchyourcareer, #recentgrads, #emergingprofessionals, #liberalarts, #communicationstudies, #journalismstudent, #marketingmajor, #prstudent, #englishmajor, #journalismdegree, #GrowYourROI, #DigitalMarketingjobs, #Careers

Transcript

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 0:01

Okay, here we are at live with Allison Jernigan. So great for you to take the time to connect with us here on the ROIinU Career Success Tips live show used to say podcasts. I had a podcast for a long time by now. We do everything live, which is really fun. And I'm so happy that you're able to share your insights with emerging professionals. Today, based on what we've talked about so far, there's going to be a lot to talk about that applies to anyone, not just emerging professionals, because everything has changed so much in the world of business. And you have a great track record behind you as an executive and would just love to hear one thing that pops into your head that you might not read about in a book or that the traditional way of networking and growing your career has totally been thrown out the window.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 0:51

It's a pleasure to be here, so excited to participate and to be on your show. The first thing that stands out is that it's gonna take a little bit of effort now, since everyone's working virtually there's this whole hybrid return to the office, you might face time that you used to have with your peers or executives. So it's going to take a little bit of effort to put your voice out there and make sure that that you're heard, and that you're contributing, and they remember you.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 1:20

Yeah, that's a really good point. And one of the things that you mentioned: not hiding out on Zoom, to make sure that if you're in a Zoom meeting, that you are speaking up, that you're not sliding off into the nether regions of, some screen somewhere that no one ever hears from you, because that's really important to have.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 1:37

Yes it is. And I think it was already a challenge being in the office for rising talent. Those who are starting out in their careers and trying to find their way and make sure that they're considered a known. But now it's, even more of a challenge now that we're on this sort of Brady Bunch layout of Zoom calls. And you might not always get that face time, like you would sitting in a conference room or walking into someone's office.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 2:08

The Hollywood Squares effect. So tell me a little bit about what you've been doing in the entertainment industry. And we'd love to hear a little bit more about your background.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 2:20

After spending about 21 years in corporate America with a leading entertainment brand on the cinema side of the business, I shifted over still in entertainment, but to the streaming side. Streaming has grown significantly. It's the way that viewers are consuming TV series and business content and movies, all sorts of entertainment. So I'm leading content strategy for a streaming app. So this is one of the smart TV apps it's free. Unlike Netflix. And it's a great compliment that we have something for everyone. So I have the fun job. Hard to believe you can call it that of working with content creators all over the world and, delivering digitally, delivering their content, their shows to viewers through streaming. So it's really fun to find those shows and series and, independent films that viewers might not get to see otherwise.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 3:25

That is fantastic. What an amazing job that sounds awesome. You get to see all the things that people are doing now.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 3:35

We take content strategy that there is there's a lot of thought that goes into it, and it truly is a strategy because it's tracking what our viewers are looking for, what they're searching for, what are they watching. Following the other streaming apps and entertainment platforms and what is trending there? Monitoring that top 10 on net. True crime and series, but then we want to make sure, so this is a smart TV audience, so it could be a household of five like us, or it could be a single person. So we want to make sure that there's something there on our network for everyone in the home. It's a lean back audience, so they're not on the go on their phone or tablet. They're sitting in their living room, and hopefully we're delivering content that they want to watch. And they'll keep coming back.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 4:28

That is really interesting to hear, that lean-back audience. And I'm not sure many people are familiar with that, that that's how you would refer to a movie experience, right? Not a portable experience. You're like actually sitting there and experience in it potentially with a device in your hand. But that device is not your primary.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 4:51

Exactly and surprisingly about 80% of homes in the US have at least one smart TV. And so we're reaching such a wide audience and such a wide range and demographic ages. They're looking for all sorts of genres of content. And we find that the on smart TV they're ready to sit and consume. Back-to-back 30-minute episodes of a full season or maybe one independent film at a time, but it's not the short-form content that you find on Instagram or social media where they're on the go with their phone They might be looking at it as they're watching. They're sitting back, and they're ready to watch season of a brand new series that's out. So it's fun to find those hidden gems of content that that are looking for distribution and, wanting to get in front of those viewers.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 5:46

When we were talking about navigating career, the whole idea of a cliffhanger: I feel like COVID is just"what's going to happen next?" You just don't know. And one of the great things that you were bringing up was this whole concept of how to move your career forward when we're still remote. Cause to a certain extent, it's just not going to go back exactly to the way that it was, as much as many people would like to. So I'm just curious what tips that are in the context of being remote.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 6:19

It's important to remember that career growth does not always look like a step up, it might be a lateral move. It might be volunteering and raising your hand for that extra project that sounds interesting, but is not within, say, your area of expertise. And that's okay. I firmly believe you can figure just about anything out with the help of YouTube and Google. Raising your hand and volunteering, that just shows initiative. At the same time you don't want to say yes to everything. It's all in balance. But it definitely takes a little bit of effort to make yourself: You have to have a little bit of confidence and just put yourself out there in today's environment because who knows? I don't think it's ever going back to the full office environment that we had before. So finding that balance in this new norm.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 7:19

Yeah. I think that's definitely the case. And do you have any tips for how, too, we talked about standing out in a meeting, we talked about getting some projects to stretch your wings, but what might be some others? When you're not able to maybe connect in such a close interpersonal way with the decision-maker or a boss or supervisor any, hidden gems right there? You have so many.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 7:46

LinkedIn, I firmly believe in LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great resource. Find someone that you can connect with. Find a mentor, find someone you can connect with once a month. Maybe set up a recurring call just to have a sounding board. Or I'm just a guide someone and not necessarily at your company or in your industry, someone you're comfortable talking with. So many leaders today are willing to put a hand down and lift up rising talent and invest in them. So I think a 30-minute call once a month is definitely there and, I would say to just growing your network on LinkedIn. There's such value in that because I've seen, too, that it's so easy to just have your virtual new office environment. And then that's the extent of especially for those who have started with companies, since the pandemic hit, and they've never walked foot into the office, never stepped foot into the office. So really it's all about networking. I can't say that enough. I know. That's my main message, but just even if it's growing your network by one or two, it's so valuable because they're a great sounding board or if you need help touching up your resume for that next job opportunity or you'd want a referral or need, need a recommendation.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 9:23

It's always good to grow that network. And I think traditionally few years ago we would say networking is going to a networking. But there are other ways to do that. And you mentioned LinkedIn, so LinkedIn groups, alumni networks, those can be really great tools. A lot of times a professor, they keep in touch with former students. Former students can connect with them. That can be a great matchmaking tool.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 9:48

Yeah, absolutely. I see that a lot where they're especially, they're willing to, recommend or to help out someone who's within their alumni network. They're, contributing. I'm a part of, so I went to UT Dallas, and I'm a part of the alumni group there. And there's so many opportunities to connect with and if I have an opportunity to post on their career board, so there's a lot of value in that network as well. And it takes very little.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 10:18

Comparatively, you don't have to even put on shoes right now, right?

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 10:23

You don't have to drive to the networking event and spend an hour and try to figure out who to connect with. Like it, in some ways, it's easier. It's easier. It just it, still takes some effort to find what works for you. So if that's a phone call or a zoom call, or simply an email exchange, I think could work, it's a little less personal. But finding what works for you and and who's a valuable connection to have.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 10:53

Yeah, I'm with you. I think LinkedIn is for me, it's the best way, because I can see who you are. I can see what we may have in common. Someone can introduce us or do a group message and connect us that way. There's just so many great opportunities. I don't know about your inbox, but my inbox is filled with people. Selling me a course or offering to guest post or manage my this, or manage my that. I delete probably a couple hundred, at least a couple hundred emails a day. Some of them, I just need to see what other people are doing and what other people are saying, as part of my agency life and figuring out like it does this work, does this not work? The thing that has been not working for me lately is the subject line that makes it seem like I forgot something. Like somehow you already have a relationship with me, and somehow I dropped the ball by not looking at your prior email. That doesn't really do too much for me. But, LinkedIn in particular, I try to be pretty diligent about keeping LinkedIn clean and getting back to people. I, the past couple of weeks have not done such a great job. It's a great opportunity to, for people to just understand who you are and what you might be. And I think that's an awesome way to try to build out your network. What about internships? And you've mentioned that you had to run an internship program for quite a while. Just wondering what if someone's looking for an internship, what might stand out and also whether or not you think internships are appropriate for after you've graduated.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 12:30

I do. Okay. So to start with internships, I don't think you can find one too early. So high school, whether it's very light load, you can find companies where you can just shadow and get experienced five hours a week. If you can juggle that with your class schedule. I don't think it's ever too early to start connecting with businesses because those are great resume builder. As far as what stands out anyone that has shown that extra initiative. So they've gone above and beyond their core. College career and they're volunteering or they're getting connected with different organizations in the school. And they have not just the college coursework, but that outside experience that contributes to what they can. It makes them stand apart, makes them stand out. But I, think and, I'd say, switch it up each semester in college find a different internship, get as much experience as you can. So many companies have very minimal load. They're not looking for a huge commitment of time. But now I've, I feel like it didn't use to be the case, but I think internship programs have become very official and structured with companies. So if you can find something like that, it's great because whether you're doing it for the college credit, and it's twofold, or it's just for yourself, you can't go wrong. Because you're going to get some experience. You're going to learn something from it, and it always looks good on a resume.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 14:13

Yeah. Fantastic. I think that's a really great tip. I think that we're going to keep this a little bit short. So is there anything that you'd like to make.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 14:22

I would just say be just be creative. Think outside of the box. How can you grow? So your network feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I always love to give tips. I even notice job opportunities will come my way across my feed from people I'm connected with or friends or former coworkers. And I, it helps to have that short list in my mind of, oh yeah. I remember this person reached out and they were looking for something or so-and-so is looking to me, I feel like that's how jobs are being filled these days. I'm, personally looking for something and called a former colleague, a friend and said,"Hey, I have this opportunity. If you can think of anyone, just let me know." Yeah, just, I would say stay connected. And set yourself apart, do something that, that makes you stand out and be noticed. And it doesn't have to be anything like loud and too too out-of-the-box. But I think just making sure that you're considered when opportunities arise.

Marketing Solutionist ROIinU Founder Suzanne McDonald 15:31

I love it. I love it. That's so great. Thank you so much, Alison. I really appreciate all those great tips, and I think there's a lot tons, of valuable.

Entertainment Industry Chief Content Officer Allison Jernigan 15:41

Thank you. Thanks for having me. It was a pleasure. I'd love to come back sometime. Excellent. Yes, we'll have to do a part two. Thanks. Sounds great. Thank you.