Slay those Summer Scaries
By Imani Coaxum
Everyone’s heard of Sunday Scaries. It’s that anxious feeling you get the day before the start of a new work or school week. Now let’s consider that same feeling but during the summer months and the anticipation of having a productive fall semester or season at work or school. Good news is, we’ve all been there. This is totally normal and you don’t have to feel this way. We have the key to slaying your #SummerScaries.
Get to the Root
What exactly are you anxious about? Is it fear of rejection? Is it perfectionism? Maybe it's imposter syndrome. This is unique to you. Figuring out the reason why you’re anxious about the start of the fall is the first step toward figuring out what you need to do about it. It’s also important to note that these feelings are normal and quite common in most people, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
Set Intentions
Now that you know why you’re dreading the change of seasons, it's time to take action. Nothing makes me feel more confident and ready for a challenge than setting goals. Being intentional about your success can help you combat those feelings of anxiety and dread. No of us knows what lies ahead, but you can’t make the most of it if you don’t have a plan to begin with. If you want to secure an internship opportunity, make that your goal. Dream big. One helpful way to set goals is to take one big goal and break it down into smaller, measurable tasks. Don’t forget to write them down! Keeping record of your goals is also great because you get a good glimpse of how much you’ve already accomplished, which is an awesome confidence booster.
Preparation Is Key!
You’ve probably heard this plenty of times, but preparation really is key. Aside from goal setting, preparation looks like setting yourself up for success. You can do this by preparing tools that will best help you achieve during the fall. If you’re applying for jobs, create a spreadsheet specifically for every job opportunity you find. Keep a link to the job posting, the title of the position, a point of contact or network contact, and a deadline to apply. Cross out any opportunity you’ve already applied to and update it often with new opportunities. (Pro tip: Stay up to date with new opportunities through the CenCom Job Board! It is updated daily with cool opportunities across the media industry, with some directly from our partners at Google, Nielsen, Warner Bros. Discovery, and many other amazing media companies.
Share Your Journey
Seeking help is never an easy task, but it will help you in the long run. You shouldn't be afraid to ask for help and to lean on resources that will leverage your career. There are so many people and organizations that want to help you succeed. There are also just as many resources, such as events, forums, and networking groups, that cater to presenting the connections and tools to succeed in the media industry. The Center for Communication does this through media education forums and networking events featuring panelists and recruiters who want to connect with students like you. And since the fall means the return of our event season, what better way to slay your summer scaries than to look forward to new opportunities to connect and learn from others in the CenCom community.
But you don’t have to wait for the fall to learn more. Join us on Instagram August 3rd at 1pm EST for a live conversation with our very own Director of Community, Camila Brango, and digital creator Lilia Martinez. They will be sharing advice about job hunting and answering questions sent from job seekers like you! Click here to send us any questions you’d like Cami and Lilia to address during the event. And if you don’t already, follow us on all social media platforms and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more information and resources on starting your career in media!
