If you want to create your dream career, you might take an opportunistic route and design your own unique career path.
That’s what Cecilia Mejia is doing as she divides her career between nonprofit consultant and social impact producer (a job title I had not heard of till I saw it listed in one of Mejia’s recent projects, the documentary, Call Her Ganda). Mejia’s latest project, Yellow Rose, is an upcoming feature film, starring Tony award winner Lea Salonga and Tony nominee Eva Noblezada. “Yellow Rose” has been selected to open this year’s LA Asian Pacific Film Festival in May.
Mejia didn’t go to film school, but started her career in the nonprofit sector. Seven years ago, she was working for the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund, when Diane Paragas, the Filipina director of “Yellow Rose”, contacted Mejia for information on social impact issues. They hit it off and created a documentary together, which became proof of concept for what is now, “Yellow Rose.” Mejia has raised over $500,000 for the project over the last seven years. In addition to raising money, Mejia acts as a creative lead for this and other projects she produces.
There are important career lessons from Mejia’s story, if you have multiple interests and wonder how to weave disparate fields together, or if you are trying to change careers into something different than what you did before:
1 – Be open to opportunities
If Mejia didn’t take that call from Diana Paragas and agree to help, her career would look very different than what it is today.
I know too many busy professionals who don’t take the time to return unsolicited calls or work on side projects. Yes, these ancillary activities mean extra time and effort, but they are a great way to expand your network and opportunities.
2 – Build on the skills and expertise you already have
While film producer may not be the logical career choice for someone with a Masters in Public Administration and years of nonprofit experience, Mejia feels her nonprofit experience does prepare her the film side. She credits her development experience with helping her through the fundraising for films. She also credits her time in nonprofit with helping her tell stories effectively and giving her projects a social impact lens. While Mejia admits she wishes she took a film class in school, she has been able to build a solid career without the formal training.
Don’t assume that you need formal training or a specific background to enter your field of interest!
3 – Get started and refine along the way
Mejia got started with film projects and refined her approach as she moved along. Mejia and Paragas worked alone on “Yellow Rose” until they could raise enough money to hire additional help. Mejia was already raising money and in contract negotiations before she established an LLC strictly for her film projects.
Too many people belabor over process and structure – should I have an LLC, a website, separate business cards? Career changers would be better served, like Mejia, jumping into work when you get it and formalizing and course-correcting as you go.
4 – You may not have to choose – think about a portfolio career that encompasses multiple interests
Mejia is still active in the nonprofit field as a development consultant and grant writer. Film production has a long lead time, and while she makes some money as a producer, most of the funds raised for the film go into making the movie and post-production.
Consulting in your former field is a great option for people who may want to start something new but still want or need to be involved in their earlier career.
5 – Do good work
Building any career, whether a career change or traditional career, requires tangible results in order to progress. Mejia raised money. Her films get distribution. Her latest film is opening a high-profile film festival in Los Angeles, the movie capital of the world. Her career story works because her career shows progress and wins along the way.
If you are changing careers or trying to carve out a unique career path, focus on tangible wins so you have something to build on and gain momentum.
Surrounding yourself with real-life examples of people succeeding with unique career paths is a great way to stay motivated while you work on your own career.
This is why I love sharing profiles like Cecilia Mejia (or Nancy Monson, who discovered her current career while moonlighting, or Joyce Mariner, who retired from policing and became a cruise planner). What is your favorite career change story?
A version of this post originally appeared in my column for Forbes.com.
