How I Started My Career as a Digital Media Manager

Do you feel lost? I mean you feel like your life isn’t taking shape, there are some things you should be doing but the future doesn’t seem bright at all? 

You feel like you should be doing more but everything just looks scattered and you can’t figure it out. 

Please continue reading, I’d love to share my story with you. Although I am not there yet, I am sure your read will be worth it. 

Please permit me to share my story of how I kickstarted my career. A journey of multiple tears, anxiety, but I pulled through and I am still pulling through. I say so because as I scale higher, the journey gets tougher but indeed fulfilling. To whom much is given, much is definitely expected and so, I am comforted each time I face turbulent times on this journey of growth, impact and success.  

I graduated from the University of Ilorin at age 20, and had my convocation at age 21 after which I immediately went to serve. 

Before I left school, I had the usual anxiety that comes with “Life After School.” Yes, it’s a feeling every serious adult who wants to make something tangible out of their lives actually feel. 

I knew very well that I didn’t come from a home where you can rely on daddy or mummy for money after school. Beyond that, I had a very strong dream to be successful at whatever I do and I didn’t want to bug my parents. 

This spearheaded my drive to pursue my passion. A passion to build a career in the digital media space and be excellent at it. I didn’t want to be posted to one village in imo state for my NYSC and waste 365 days of my life when there’s so much to do for the kingdom and my life. 

Let’s flashback to where my passion to do amazing things in the digital media space all began. In 2018, I had a burden to do something to make more money. My roommate was a fashion designer and she was doing well for herself. I had other friends who were ambassadors of well known brands on campus, one of which was WURAFADAKA. 

At the time, God instructed me to write poems and send them to WhatsApp groups. It didn’t make sense to me at first because this was not obviously going to bring me money. However, I went ahead. All inspirations to write solely came from God’s presence and each time people read them, I got great feedback. For proof, you can check the comments section on my previous  blog posts. 

But after sometime, I felt like this wasn’t enough, I needed to do more. I wanted to make money from it. I didn’t stop writing. I had struck a deal with God to serve Him and live a decent life in school and in return, He will take care of me. 

On a sunny evening in Mangu NYSC camp, I got an Instagram DM from my current boss, Mrs Bolanle Olosunde-Jenrola, we had an interview,  sent samples of my works and that’s how got a job offer to come resume in Lagos even before I finished my three weeks stay in camp. 

It was tough relocating as a 21 year old. Looking for a new accommodation, sorting my relocation papers and all NYSC requirements with little or no physical support, combining these with the new job I just got. I paused to shed tears occasionally.

This transitioning phase was one of the toughest in my life but they have also shaped my career the most. From the basic knowledge of posting on social media and writing articles, I have overtime learnt how to produce & direct video set, create proposals, brand strategies, develop my skills on community and social media management, effective communication skills and so much more really. 

I started with earning 30,000N and within two years, my income exploded in the same organisation. Positioning myself also gave me the credibility and enough referrals for outside gigs; one-off jobs that are sometimes X2 my salary!

This is not to brag, but what I said above is a simple example of what positioning yourself and pursuing excellence will do for you.

In your career/business journey, two things will make you standout; your God given talent and how passionate you are about harnessing this talent to rise up to your optimum potential. 

Everyone has a bright future, the difference between those who stand out is SACRIFICE to put in the work. 

- Identify your unique talent

- Take courses to skill up

- Pursue excellence

- Wake up everyday to post something about what you do and position yourself as number one in that field

- Network with mentors who have gone ahead

- Volunteer and serve

- It’s a process, when it gets tough, don’t give up

- Pamper yourself and celebrate milestones

- You can always get better, don’t settle for less

- Stay consistent and very soon, you will attract a lot of opportunities for yourself.

Decide today; are you going to be stuck on urgent 2k or you are going to be stuck on creating trans generational wealth? Ponders on these things. 

My name is Esther Marcus, and I am your Digital Media strategist. To connect with me, kindly send a WhatsApp DM @08131180795