FINDING YOUR PEOPLE AND PAVING THE WAY AS A BLACK CREATIVE WITH SHAR

Here at Bringing it Black you know it's all about shining a light on the people making waves in the world, and my latest guest, Shar, is the perfect example of this. 

Shar is a recent graduate from West London working for a TV production company and she joins me as one of the many people working in an industry that is not always set up for you.

Shar and I cover all the aspects of life as a Black creative - the challenges, the setbacks and how we can overcome them to find the positives.

Shar, how did it feel to graduate in these times?

“I was so lucky that I had a job secured as soon as I finished uni, but it took me a good few months to get to know everyone as it was remote and I didn’t see anybody for a long time. There’s a lot of pressure, especially as my family wanted me to follow different career paths, but I studied animation and now everyones always asking me when I’m gonna be working at Disney!”

You’re working as a runner in a TV Production company, what’s one thing about the job you didn’t expect?

“I’ve learnt that there’s so much more to the job than what you’d expect. It’s not all just about running around from set-to-set! One thing I wasn’t ready for was the office vibes. You’ve got the office decorum and the office small talk - you have to learn how to make that chat with people when you’re making a tea in the kitchen, honestly office talk is about having the same conversation 5 times a day!"

“Drinking culture is a big thing in this country and work drinks are an especially big deal. I’ve been to a few work events and you see people in such a different light, then the next morning you’re back to small talk when you know I saw you out dancing the night before!”

How important is it to surround yourself with people that aren’t just on your level?

“There’s a lot of pressure to figure out what you’re doing. For me and a lot of my friends, we were the kids in the family that did what we weren’t meant to do, so it feels really important that we succeed.

“It’s important to find your people, especially Black people or whoever you identify with, you need to find them in your space, and don’t panic because you will find them - there’s community everywhere.” 

Connect with Shar on Instagram: @Sharloola

Listen to the full interview on the Bringing it Black podcast: