What an amazing article! It feels like reading an expanded version of an idea that’s always been there, and it’s got so much clarity. Thank you for this inspiring article
this resonated so much. I've always tried to reframe (and embody this reframe) of 'networking' - from 'how am I going to reach out and get something from someone' (professionally related) to --> 'how can I connect with people who are on paths that inspire me and trust that alignment and genuine curiosity will land the best opportunities for my own unique path'
reaching out without an aggressive agenda or self-pre-determined objective has changed the whole game in how i have met some incredible mentors in creative spaces that intrigue me and led to some beautiful opportunities... sometimes quickly, but more often months to years later after an initial conversation.
"Everyone looks sort of qualified. Every job looks sort of plausible." This is such an important nuance!! Took me way too long to transition from: "I am qualified all of these, this let me to hundreds and see what sticks" to truly internalizing the idea of searching for just one specific unicorn. That specificity feels so scarce but is so so needed!
Damn this made me cry, may not have found my one person re: job yet, but you are the one stranger to provide hope and a renewed outlook for that journey so thankyou stranger (and I’d also love a copy of the pdf if it’s still available)
This piece is a rich and inviting compass for navigating opportunity. Honoured to feature and can obviously vouch for this method - my Taste essay undoubtedly changed my life.
Anyone would be truly lucky to have the clarity of mind and imagination of Maja's steering their company forward!
no one needs permission to learn, or to engage thoughtfully!! you don’t ask for someone to be your mentor, you learn from them, and try to repay it, or reach out with something useful.
everyone is just some human, and we forget that too often
anyways, another anecdote for you:
four-ish years ago I was a no name offshore contractor in brasil, but i got a bit too engaged to some nerd’s coding twitch stream, and kept making hundreds of clips from their takes, talking on chat, and sending them sources for videos they were recording… not even a year later, they literally changed my life by referring me to an SF startup they knew the founders off
i felt severely underqualified the whole time, but that’s how i knew i was growing into the potential they saw in me 😭😭
I love this. As a new grad, I’ve definitely heard horror stories of people sending out hundreds of cold applications and not even getting a call back. It triggers that fear of being left behind and not getting the opportunity to fulfill your purpose, which I definitely have.
But, reflecting on past opportunities I’ve had, I realized it was always someone’s generosity, creativity, and curiosity that somehow recognized mine and welcomed me in collaborating.
I’m a child of immigrants so, honestly, I don’t really know the landscape of the workplace, who to talk to, what questions to ask, and how to present myself. I do research but, ultimately, it’s something I have to learn as I walk the path, exist in the spaces or talk to people who understand. But this fear sometimes makes me feel unqualified, even if I have the skills and the curiosity necessary to get the job done. I first have to figure out how to get to those spaces.
So, rather than sending out mass cold applications, I’ve pivoted to building visibility by writing/creating in public. This serves three purposes: to help me refine my creative purpose, to give my skills and perspectives a place to land, and to send out flares that say, “I’m here, I’ve figured out what’s authentic to me. Who else is here with me?”
Thank you for this field guide. Here’s to hoping I find a side door in this post-grad limbo!
Genuinely helpful as a person whose scared of being vulnerable but wants deeply to care and help
rooting for you!
What an amazing article! It feels like reading an expanded version of an idea that’s always been there, and it’s got so much clarity. Thank you for this inspiring article
I’m so glad, thanks for reading!
this resonated so much. I've always tried to reframe (and embody this reframe) of 'networking' - from 'how am I going to reach out and get something from someone' (professionally related) to --> 'how can I connect with people who are on paths that inspire me and trust that alignment and genuine curiosity will land the best opportunities for my own unique path'
reaching out without an aggressive agenda or self-pre-determined objective has changed the whole game in how i have met some incredible mentors in creative spaces that intrigue me and led to some beautiful opportunities... sometimes quickly, but more often months to years later after an initial conversation.
patience + trust = essential!!
love that reframe!
This is abslutly epic and Im going to share it with everyone i know forever.
PS also best intern ever - without you we wouldn't have Protostars <3
forever grateful for you opening that side door! thank you for everything <3
"Everyone looks sort of qualified. Every job looks sort of plausible." This is such an important nuance!! Took me way too long to transition from: "I am qualified all of these, this let me to hundreds and see what sticks" to truly internalizing the idea of searching for just one specific unicorn. That specificity feels so scarce but is so so needed!
Damn this made me cry, may not have found my one person re: job yet, but you are the one stranger to provide hope and a renewed outlook for that journey so thankyou stranger (and I’d also love a copy of the pdf if it’s still available)
aw wow I’m so glad, thank you for reading! yes DM me, happy to share the pdf
This piece is a rich and inviting compass for navigating opportunity. Honoured to feature and can obviously vouch for this method - my Taste essay undoubtedly changed my life.
Anyone would be truly lucky to have the clarity of mind and imagination of Maja's steering their company forward!
🥺🥺 you’re the best, thank you for laying the blueprint for us all!
omfggg
yessss
no one needs permission to learn, or to engage thoughtfully!! you don’t ask for someone to be your mentor, you learn from them, and try to repay it, or reach out with something useful.
everyone is just some human, and we forget that too often
anyways, another anecdote for you:
four-ish years ago I was a no name offshore contractor in brasil, but i got a bit too engaged to some nerd’s coding twitch stream, and kept making hundreds of clips from their takes, talking on chat, and sending them sources for videos they were recording… not even a year later, they literally changed my life by referring me to an SF startup they knew the founders off
i felt severely underqualified the whole time, but that’s how i knew i was growing into the potential they saw in me 😭😭
i adore this story yayy go Igor!
I would love to see the PDF!!
I love this. As a new grad, I’ve definitely heard horror stories of people sending out hundreds of cold applications and not even getting a call back. It triggers that fear of being left behind and not getting the opportunity to fulfill your purpose, which I definitely have.
But, reflecting on past opportunities I’ve had, I realized it was always someone’s generosity, creativity, and curiosity that somehow recognized mine and welcomed me in collaborating.
I’m a child of immigrants so, honestly, I don’t really know the landscape of the workplace, who to talk to, what questions to ask, and how to present myself. I do research but, ultimately, it’s something I have to learn as I walk the path, exist in the spaces or talk to people who understand. But this fear sometimes makes me feel unqualified, even if I have the skills and the curiosity necessary to get the job done. I first have to figure out how to get to those spaces.
So, rather than sending out mass cold applications, I’ve pivoted to building visibility by writing/creating in public. This serves three purposes: to help me refine my creative purpose, to give my skills and perspectives a place to land, and to send out flares that say, “I’m here, I’ve figured out what’s authentic to me. Who else is here with me?”
Thank you for this field guide. Here’s to hoping I find a side door in this post-grad limbo!
This is such a wonderfully written article. Thank you. I feel like I should reread this article every week.
Are there any books you'd recommend that go deeper on this topic?
I'm currently trying to land my first role and I've been so scared and overwhelmed. Your essay pointed me in the right direction. Thank you 🥰
Resonated with this essay so much! There were multiple internships I wouldn’t have got in university if I didn’t have this kind of approach to things!
thank you for being the first article I have read on Substack
Thank you for reading and welcome!
Absolutely loved reading this! Thanks for putting this out there.
Thank you for this!