Whether you’re graduating from university, finishing college, or restarting your career as a creative, stepping into the industry can feel overwhelming. It’s tough to break into any new field, but the creative world brings its own challenges - opportunities can be scarce, networking is intimidating, and financial stability can be slow to come by. Yet, pursuing your passion and building a career around what you love is definitely worth the effort.

That said, while the journey is rewarding, it doesn’t make it any less challenging. That’s why Studio Self-Made is here - to help you find your way as an early career creative. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when navigating the creative industry early in your journey:

Embrace Learning Opportunities

In the creative field, learning is constant. It’s important to explore different avenues to expand your skills. Not only will this assist you in developing your knowledge but it will help shape your career through networking, portfolio development, and comprehension of the industry.

The creative world is dynamic and ever-changing, so stay agile and adapt to its changes by:

• Joining online courses and workshops
• Reading industry literature
• Listening to podcasts
• Following professionals on social media
• Attending webinars and conferences
• Networking and asking questions
• Seizing every opportunity that comes your way

Believe in Yourself

While it’s important to be adaptable, having a strong sense of self is also crucial. Understand what you enjoy, recognise your strengths and weaknesses, and play to them. Approaching each opportunity with confidence and a clear sense of who you are can make a strong impression on employers or clients. Believe in yourself and trust in your abilities.

Build a Strong Personal Brand

A strong personal brand goes hand-in-hand with self-confidence. A personal brand encompasses the qualities, values and skills of you as an individual and how you present yourself in the creative world - essentially, it’s an extension of your personality. Understanding your strengths, uniqueness, and what you bring to the table helps you stand out in the creative sphere, as well as attracting opportunities that are well suited to you.

Want to learn more about what a personal brand is and how to use it? Read our blog post here.

Don’t Neglect Your Creative Portfolio

While a personal brand tells people who you are, your portfolio shows what you can do. It demonstrates your skills, versatility, and potential to employers or clients. Here are some tips for crafting a standout portfolio:

• Diversify your work to showcase versatility.
• Make contact details clear and accessible.
• Keep it updated - no one wants to see work from years ago.
• Include passion projects; they often represent your best work.
• Add testimonials to build trust and credibility.

Network and Leverage Communities

Networking is crucial in creative industries - it’s how you meet people, form connections, and build lasting professional relationships. It can open doors to new opportunities and help you feel less isolated in what can be a lonely career path. Forging both professional and personal relationships with others in the industry, so you have a support system to lean on during tough times will make your life a whole lot easier.

Don’t overlook the power of networking on social media either. Connect with other creatives on LinkedIn or follow them on Instagram to stay updated on opportunities and find a community to turn to for advice and support.

Stay Connected

Navigating the industry as an early career creative can be overwhelming. It might feel hard at times, but it will all be worth it. If you want more advice throughout your creative career, you can join our newsletter, where we give you advice and industry insights to help guide you through your creative career. Join the community here.