Sometimes you just have to talk to someone...

So as some of you know, for the past couple of months I have really been dealing with a lot at my job. Feeling unappreciated, feeling as if I've paid my dues but moving to that next level was never going to happen, considering just leaving the company and starting all over somewhere else, tired of being underpaid. Being put in a box because I am a young, ambitious, African American female, that is a go-getter working in an industry where I am a double-minority and trying to make changes that seem to be impossible.

Then I came across an article about Stephanie Stepp. She has her own sports radio show in New York and in the article it talked about how she started out in television and in the article talked about the struggles she had with trying to be an on-air talent in television. For those that work in this industry, you have to have a certain look, sound, everything to get a break in TV. She then turned to radio and said it was the best decision she's ever made and that it propelled her career a lot faster than television would have.

I have never been a fan of things like therapy, going and spilling your business to someone and them analyzing a situation they know absolutely nothing about; but I do feel there is a certain solace, at least for me, with talking to someone about it who has been in a similar situation. (Career-wise anyway, I rarely take relationship advice)

Luckily this industry is extremely small, and I actually knew someone who knows her. So I get her email and send her a note, both wanting to talk to her about being a young African American Female working in the sports industry, as well as profile her for my sports blog. She responded with her phone number and we arranged a time to speak on the phone. We ended up talking for about an hour. I am so happy I had the chance to talk to her. She made me put everything into perspective. She made me realize that so many people would kill to be in the situation I am in right now and that its not that bad. I have a boss that believes in me and that is trying to help me make the best career move for me at this stage in my life. I havent had to go threw that terribly long entry level stage where all your doing is getting coffee and such for high level executives. I mean I have went threw the being an assistant circuit but had the pleasure of working for some great bosses during that time. One of which is still a good friend and mentor of mine. I have made a lot of incredible contacts, and I have accomplished more in my 5 years working in the crazy entertainment industry than some people have well in their 30's. She reassured me that I am on track to do great things and that at 26 I should be more patient. She let me know that if I really want to work in this industry and survive that I have to suck it up sometimes, and deal with things, or leave and start my own business. That's just the reality of it. With Ms. Stepp having over 10 years experience in this industry I took everything she said to heart.

If you want to read the interview I did with her you can go HERE...

I recently wrote my boss a letter thanks to the advice of some fellow bloggers as well as my mentor telling him the disappointments I was having in my career path there. We are currently figuring things out, so I am a lot more optimistic about my future at the company. So wish me luck that the advancement I am looking for comes to fruition???

14 comments

maverick January 19, 2008 at 1:45 AM

hey....everyone comes across a point in their life stage whether personal or professional where one thinks...is this wat i want n is this the right path...good u ve started pondering on that pt n working on it...till now i guess probably i reached one of those pts wen i quit my job to do my MBA :)..jus out of curiousity??u dont reply to my comments or shouts..nethin specific?

who? January 19, 2008 at 3:30 AM

I'm feeling how you were, before, now. But that's great for you that you have new found motivation and optimism. Hopefully, you will get to that point in your career, maybe sooner than expected. Keep Doing It.

Shelia January 19, 2008 at 4:39 AM

That's a step in the right direction so I hope that you are happier with your career in 2008. If by chance, nothing comes out of your talk with your boss, then it might be time to look around.

Eb the Celeb January 19, 2008 at 8:16 AM

@Mav- please dont tell me your one of them sensitive bloggers because RBW is definitely not the spot for you then. I respond to that which I feel needs a response... nothing personal bruh!

@Shelia- Yeah. I was thinking that too. sometimes you outgrow a place or get stuck in a spot where there's no growth and have to go to another company in order to get where you want to be. So I have been considering that.

maverick January 19, 2008 at 8:44 AM

@eb...lol...naah ntn like that...wanted to see if that was a trend ....u see im a marketer..and observation is the key..so my observation led to that query :)..hope to see ya on my blog sometime :)..cheers!!

Dave Van Buren January 19, 2008 at 10:56 AM

I think we all feel like that sometimes, During the day I'm an IT professional and it's hard tying to prove yourself to a bunch of sci-fi geeks when you can't relate to the latest Babylon 5 episode. Or better yet my boss is an anarchist, cool dude but I have no idea what he is talking about most the time. Stay up, I always say people can't deny good work, they may not like you but they can't deny good work.

Mizrepresent January 19, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Bravo to you...I am just impressed with your iniative and taking the time to contact Ms. Stepp, that alone shows how serious you are about your career and that you are willing to network with those who have been in the business. You are well on your way Eb, heck, like she said, there are a lot of folks who are dying to be in your shoes.

Don January 19, 2008 at 1:34 PM

lmao @ that mav said, "cheers..."

Don January 19, 2008 at 1:35 PM

I'm a sensitive blogger. Pray for me.

Eb the Celeb January 19, 2008 at 2:11 PM

@homer and mizrep - thanks for the love... yeah it really help me put things into perspective... so I had to share for peeps that may be going threw the same ish...

@Don - your sarcasm is gonna get you in trouble one day... with ya instigating troublemaker self...LOL!

Anonymous January 19, 2008 at 5:59 PM

That's a blessing that you were able to talk out your issues with someone who has been through it. And the fact that she made herself available to you is awesome.

Wishing you the best! It's all about your initiative to control your desitiny. Keep up the good work, sis.

Ticia January 19, 2008 at 8:21 PM

Thats whats up!!

I am happy for you!
Its nothing like true happiness and on the road to having more!!

Rashan Jamal January 20, 2008 at 11:55 AM

That's real cool. I'm glad you took that step to reach out to her. Good Luck

Jameil January 20, 2008 at 3:42 PM

get it girl!! i talked to one of my college professors like that and was so excited! b/c she also called me back to let me know she was so proud of me. it was fantastic.

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