Jacob Mina

How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?

Going into college, I thought I wanted to be a filmmaker. As I continued in community college, I found that the real part of the creative process I loved was the writing, even if it was just a discussion question assignment, I would put all my heart into writing. When transferring to University, I shifted my focus onto writing and put filmmaking behind me. At the moment I don't know what I want to use this degree for, but for now I'm just gonna do the writing I can.

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

My parents definitely wanted me to peruse a particular degree (which will not be named so those within that degree don't get offended) and I completely understood why they picked that degree since it's nice and general and I had experience in that field. However, the first thing I decided about my time in college is I wasn't doing it for anyone, I was doing it for myself. That is selfish to say and I am aware my parents paid the college bill and I should probably be nicer to them in terms of college stuff, but if I'm going to spend 4+ years studying something, it will be something I'm passionate about.

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

I do exactly what is asked of me and if I see something extra that can be done, I just do it without asking. I want to be considered reliable by management so I'm in the talks for promotion and stuff. Also when they know you can work well on your own, they won't baby you or hover over you constantly.

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

Once you know what field you want, get experience with it as soon as possible. So many writing jobs I've seen are asking for 3+ years of writing experience that I currently lack. If you start early, you start your portfolio building sooner. I know the part of "knowing what you want" can be a tough thing to discover about yourself but there's no harm and trying out new things. That is the point of college is it not? To learn new things.

What is it like when your job gets tough?

I can’t lie to all of you, half of the time I work at least once I think “what’s even the point?” As in why do I work so hard at this kind of eh retail job when it will barely make me any money and I’m constantly miserable at work. How I get myself out of this slump is quite random and it seems to fade on it’s own, but I just tell myself that there are so many out there that probably didn’t get this job that wanted it so bad, or people that make like $8 an hour or something. Life can always be way worse, and that also means it can be way better too. It’s all about finding the bright spots on a gloomy day.

What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?

As stupid as this sounds, some of the most inspiring quotes I’ve heard are actually from a video game: “We are what we overcome” “The best climbers know how to fall” (You get 10 points if you can name the game). They’re such simple quotes but they ring so true to me. We have to know failure before we can succeed, and every obstacle we overcome defines us and makes us into a stronger person. I know I may be down playing on my mentor figures if I’m saying a game provided me with the best advice but most of the advice they all gave me were pretty specific to where I was in my life at the time and what I should do in my specific situation. But these two quotes, they ring true no matter how old I am.