A great portfolio opens the door, but isn’t the be-all and end-all

Whether someone recently entered the advertising industry or they’re a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience, the field is constantly evolving. In this series, Mythic asks team members to share industry and career advice based on what they’ve learned, regardless of how many years they’ve been at it. After all, here at Mythic, “Be More” is the ethos we work and live by, so naturally, our team members are eager to share what they’ve learned from the moments that have helped shape the trajectory of their careers in hopes that others can reap the benefits.

Even with just a few years of industry experience under her belt, Mythic Motion Designer Kelsey Worthington said she’s already learned that despite how much advertising schools emphasize the need for a strong creative portfolio to land a job in the industry, there’s so much more to getting a foot in the door. 

The following interview is a window into Kelsey’s career so far and the lessons she’s learned along the way:  

If you could go back in time, what is the one piece of advice you would give your younger self about how you approach your career?

“I wish I had networked more in college. Back then, I thought my portfolio was the only thing that mattered in this field. I quickly realized postgrad that networking and connections matter just as much. The portfolio was still important —  it's what opened the door to conversations with people, but ultimately, those connections were what eventually helped me land my job at Mythic.”

As you think about the challenges and opportunities you face in your career today, what would you tell your future self as you navigate those?

“I'm constantly reminding myself lately that learning doesn't end postgrad. Whether it's a YouTube video, colleague or mentor, I need to keep pushing myself to continue learning. Being a lifelong learner is what's going to propel you in your career. 

Another thing I'm learning is to exude confidence. Even though I'm early in my career, my knowledge isn't fully indicative of my years of experience. What I know, my thoughts, and my opinions still matter. And that's why I'm here in the first place. So, I’m working to be more confident and step in and own the things that I do now.”

What are some ways you’ve pushed yourself to continue learning and growing in your career?

“I have a mentor outside of Mythic who is a senior motion designer. I found somebody to learn from who was further along in the career path that I wanted. We meet once a quarter, and that's been really, really helpful in figuring out what I don't know because you don't know what you don't know. It's been eye-opening to be like, ‘Oh, that's a thing? Can you help direct me to the resources and programs I'll need to be able to learn more about that?’ So that's been awesome, but I’m also using platforms like Skillshare, YouTube or Instagram to pick up new skills in AfterEffects and design.”

In a world where attention spans are limited, we're glad you stuck with it and made it to the end of this article because we certainly think it was worth the read. If you’re interested in learning more about Mythic’s culture or exploring career opportunities, please visit our website and drop us a line if you have any questions.