How To Get a Steady Job
I spoke to some college students recently in a class run by one of my former (and favorite) professors. I shared some tidbits about how to stay motivated and find meaning in work, from my perspective as a commercial producer. As you might expect, there were a few students in that class hoping to become freelance creators themselves, and they asked me some specific questions about the industry. I connected with them over email after the class was over, and sent one of them the following email:
Your parents and professors may be pushing you to get a "stable" job. But stable jobs don't exist anymore. I wish I could tell you how many of my friends have gotten laid off in an instant, along with hundreds of others, from top tier companies like Tesla, Uber, Headspace, AT&T, etc. Corporations have no loyalty to employees like they used to. Our parents come from a different generation, and don't understand what the world is like now.
The real way to have stable income is to have multiple income streams, and multiple clients, which freelancing allows you to do. Even if it's a side hustle on top of a full-time job, you diversify your assets and don't have all your eggs in one basket, so to speak.
I heard Seth Godin say in a podcast this morning that the days of getting hired by a company at age 22, and retiring with that company at age 65 are long, long gone. This is probably in part because of the increase in powerful software, removing the need for entire departments to even exist within organizations. If a marketing director at a brand can publish her own ads in an afternoon with the click of a button, well then there’s not much else for people under her to do. She’s the director and the technician, and doesn’t need much more help.
If you’re working in a lean organization like this, the only way to advance is to change companies. It’s sort of like that old iPhone game Doodle Jump. Rarely is there a platform directly above you. But if you can make a lateral move to another company while you jump upward, there might be a spot for you.
Since steady jobs don’t exist anymore, and a clear growth path isn’t available, then diversifying your skillset and experience is the only way up. If you’re a freelancer, carrying more clients than you need brings security. If you’re a brand specialist, then keeping your eyes peeled for diagonal moves (over and up) is the way to advance. But keep in mind. The progression of technology and software is inevitable. Eventually, your current job and skillset might become automated or obsolete. Motion and options bring stability in the modern age.
Good luck!
