Each month, Jezz Chung and Jenn Ekeleme will answer questions submitted from the Working Not Working community to provide insight and guidance around building an equitable future.
Read MoreIllustration by Sabrena Khadija
Illustration by Sabrena Khadija
Equity in Practice with Jezz Chung & Jennifer Ekeleme: Column #1
Equity in Practice is a monthly advice column from two women of color in the creative industries who have become thought leaders in the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion through their heart-centered commitment to education and advocacy. Each month, Jezz Chung and Jenn Ekeleme will answer questions submitted from the Working Not Working community to provide insight and guidance around building an equitable future.
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Asking Not Asking #35: Gut Issue
I often feel drained by the work, company culture and low pay. To remedy, I have been actively applying to jobs, networking and taking professional development classes to find a better alternative.
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Asking Not Asking #34: Into the Unknown
Over the course of writing the past 33 columns, one of the most prevalent, recurring themes has been the question of how we deal with the unknown. Ambiguity, uncertainty, surprise, and the unexpected dot our careers as creatives, sometimes momentarily and sometimes for seasons.
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Animated illustration by Emily Parsons
Creative Turns: Matt Welch–From Journalism to Advertising
Matt Welch, a program director at Wolff Olins, started his career as a page designer and copy editor at The New York Times Company. See how his time in journalism along with a healthy dose of determination and curiosity led to an unexpected––yet informed––pivot to his current position in advertising.
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Asking Not Asking #28: Burned Out on Social Media
Is it necessary to post on social media daily? Will we lose work if we’re not sharing like everyone else? How can I get rid of my anxiety and have a more reasonable approach to all of this?
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Asking Not Asking #27: Looking to Leap
It is a wonderful stable job with good benefits so the thought of leaving something so steady is scary. But my dream is to do something focused more on spirituality/new age modalities and/or personal development…
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Asking Not Asking #26: Trying to Break the Cycle
When I think of working on my side project, I get overwhelmed then think about how little energy I have then feel guilty and the cycle happens over and over…What can I try to get inspired enough to make my idea real and get closer to doing the work I really want to do?
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #25: Aiming to Avoid Regret
I have a good-paying job as a designer at a small, but growing startup, yet I’ve always had the dream to pursue a more independent path as an illustrator...I’ve thought about taking the next step, but I don’t know if it’s foolish when I make a good living that allows me to be independent and save. Is this a silly pipe dream?
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Animated illustration by Emily Parsons
Creative Turns: Mic Nguyen—Former Educational Analyst, Current Copywriter & Comedian
“Creative Turns” is a new series about the unexpected paths that bring individuals to embrace a creative profession. It’s never too late to apply your experiences in a seemingly disparate field to your new career. As an educational analyst-turned-copywriter and comedian, Mic Nguyen is a model example of this idea.
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #24: In Search of Patience
I graduated top of my class and it’s humbling to be a small fish in a big pond again. I know I’ll get better in time, but I’m struggling to be patient with myself and my career. How long does it take to get really good at something? To be recognized? To have better opportunities?
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #22: Jack of All Trades
“I guess the underlying dilemma is that I’m not sure how to maintain the idea of myself as a kind of ‘jack of all trades’ or to make some kind of active choice and promote myself as a product/niche service.”
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Asking Not Asking #20: Coworker Drama
“It seems like this person doesn’t like me and is maybe even trying to sabotage me. They haven’t done anything outright blatant, but I sense their resistance to my ideas when I bring them up in team meetings…I’ve enjoyed my job up until now, but the conflict with this coworker looms over me when I go to work every day and I wonder how I can resolve it.”
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