Be ready to pivot. My own career has been full of unexpected turns. What you plan often isn't how things unfold, so be willing to adjust your path — and trust that the detours are part of the journey.

The most valuable skill I've developed over the years isn't a technical one. It's the ability to read a room, build genuine relationships, and advocate for my own value — even when no one else is doing it for me.

Networking Is Not Transactional

The word "networking" gets misused constantly. People treat it like a transaction — show up, hand out cards, collect contacts. That's not networking. That's prospecting. Real networking is about building relationships before you need them. It's about showing up for people, being genuinely curious about their work, and creating mutual value over time.

Some of my most important career opportunities came from people I'd known for years before we ever worked together. The relationship was already there. The opportunity just needed a moment to arrive.

Pivoting Is a Skill, Not a Failure

Every time I've pivoted — from production to social media management, from employee to entrepreneur, from practitioner to professor — it felt like a risk. But each pivot built on the last. Nothing was wasted. The production background made me a better social media manager. The social media experience made me a better strategist. The teaching made me a better communicator.

If you're waiting for a clear, linear path, you'll be waiting a long time. The path reveals itself as you walk it.

Advocate for Yourself — Loudly

No one is going to advocate for your value the way you can. Not your manager. Not your mentor. Not your network. You have to be willing to name what you bring to the table, ask for what you're worth, and say no to opportunities that don't align with where you're going.

This is especially true for women and people of color in creative industries. The default is often to wait to be recognized. Don't wait. Make yourself visible. Document your wins. Tell your story.

The career you want is built one intentional decision at a time.