Uncomfortable Shoes, Authentic Conversations: What I Learned at FUTURE NOW

I was jittery as I walked through Times Square on Tuesday afternoon, and it wasn’t just because of the Midtown chaos. I felt like an impostor in my mother’s dress pants and my uncomfortable shoes. People in ironed khaki pants and starched button-downs sidestepped me as they purposefully wove through the tourists and Elmo-clad scammers.

Before the FUTURE NOW Media and Entertainment Conference, I had no previous experience with conferences and little experience with professional networking in general. The idea of career preparation was thoroughly intimidating, especially since I wasn’t sure which field I wanted to pursue.

I didn’t know what to expect as I walked into the Roku office for a conference-sponsored tour. I was greeted by a room of about one hundred people around my age. Some people were making polite small talk, but most were nervously fidgeting with their belongings and artfully avoiding eye contact. I was relieved to see that I wasn’t the only person who felt unsure.

However, it was hard for the uneasy energy to persist once Amanda Lutton and Jerry Guerrero from Roku started the Pre-Conference Workshop: Mastering the Art of Professional Networking. Their easygoing, supportive energy was contagious.

Jerry and Amanda emphasized that networking is not transactional, but about building trusting, genuine connections. It helped having the Roku workshop right before the reception at Paramount, because I felt more loosened up, and the networking tips were at the top of my mind.

After the workshop, people were more outgoing and willing to talk to one another. At one point in the workshop, Jerry mentioned that if you are friendly and respectful, most people will want to talk to you. I reminded myself of that and went up to people to start conversations, even though it felt unnatural and scary at first. The more people I talked to, the more comfortable I became showing my personality and being genuine. The authenticity of my mentors and my peers helped me realize that I didn’t need to “play a part” to be accepted in professional settings, and that I was not being tested during these conversations.

To my surprise, when I admitted to not knowing something, my perspective and legitimacy were not immediately disregarded. I learned that it’s okay not to know everything and that curiosity and passion count for a lot.

When speaking with professionals during the Speed Mentoring sessions, I was startled that they were willing and even eager to discuss their setbacks with us. It was inspiring to hear how they overcame these hardships and reassuring to know that they achieved success despite an imperfect path.

I also appreciated how open everyone was to the idea of career exploration and following one’s passion. Hearing about all of the unique positions available in the media industry that people were passionate about opened my perspective to possibilities I wasn’t even aware of.

I tend to feel anxious when I think about career preparation and exploration, but the mentors inspired me to greet the process with excitement instead.

Media Tour at NBCU

On Thursday, I was assigned to be the Group Leader for my NBCUniversal Media Tour. I was charged with organizing FUTURE NOW participants and communicating with the NBCU staff. My experience over the previous two days taught me that I didn't have to pretend to know exactly what I am doing to be respected as a group leader. Not only did embracing authenticity deepen my ability to make connections with others, but it also allowed me to have a better time as well.

It was incredibly uplifting and reassuring to see my uncertainties validated by my peers’ experience, as well as from the kindness and patience displayed by mentors.

As I walked through Midtown toward the NBC building in Rockefeller Center, my shoes were still uncomfortable, and I hadn’t entirely shed my career anxiety, but I was more comfortable matching the purposeful strides of my khaki-loving peers.