Graduating from college is one of the best accomplishments in a person’s life. After all the pomp and circumstance reality hits you like a brick and POW it is now time to get a job. With the economy still in the proverbial toilet and a job market so scarce, securing a good stimulating career while not sacrificing your sanity, is like finding a needle in a haystack. Don’t get discouraged! This journey comes with many hurdles. Yasmine had her own post-college life crisis and has begun to carve out her niche. The tunnel may be dark but the light is coming.
Style & Substance: The transition from college life to real world is tough, how have you continued to get your name out in the industry?
Networking and continuing to be hungry! Each time I meet someone in the industry exchanging contacts and actually following up with friendly emails that aren’t necessarily asking for anything. You really have to “stay humble stay low and blow like hootie”! Each job you do you have to act like your life depends on it whether it’s paid or not. Internships can lead to jobs if you play your cards correctly and you have good timing!
Style & Substance:What are your upcoming goals?
My next goals are to get into some teleprompting classes because I eventually see myself as a TV personality. I also am looking to get into a full-time job IN the industry.
Style & Substance: Any new projects on the horizon?
Right now my biggest project is getting settled in Los Angeles – I’m investing some time in myself. I excel most when I have a stable home life so that’s my immediate focus! I also have a project called, Close to the Bottom. It’s a compilation of interviews with cool people who are doing their thing in creative fields.
Style & Substance:Your resume is full of experience from Essence Magazine, In Style Magazine, and BET what is one of your best memories on the job?
Oh man! I have a lot of great memories. Some of them include BET Awards 07 when I worked the red carpet. I hadn’t ever been around that many celebrities at once so it was cool to see some of my favorite artists up close. I also loved working as a direct intern for Stephen Hill during the first BET Honors. That man is such a visionary. Essence was also great! I loved working all the photo shoots and going on market appointments – I had a lot of Devil Wears Prada moments there. I learned so much at Essence and at In Style I worked for a fabulous editor, Sydney Bolden-Long. She consistently gave me words of wisdom.
Style & Substance: Describe a day in the life at your job?
Well, I’m a bridal specialist right now at a well-known shop in Beverly Hills so my job is to help brides find the gown of their dreams and to help with other aspects of their wedding parties needs. If you’ve seen “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC then that’s pretty much what I do. Its fun and a nice environment most days so I like it but I’m definitely looking to get a full-time job in the industry but this works for the moment.
Style & Substance: Finding a job in the age of a bad recession can really dampen a recent grad’s spirit, how do you maintain such a positive outlook?
I’ve definitely had some post grad depression. I was in Atlanta for 9 months after I left NYC and had the hardest time finding a job! It was so bad my mom suggested I go to nursing school. But I just kept focused on getting to LA. I aligned my path to get here. I got into FIDM and got a job the first day I got here so I know that LA is where God wants me to be. The piece of hope that I keep is that my break will come. I’ve already planted the seeds through my work ethic and am watering them through my diligence and faith. So one of these days I’m going to see the fruits of my labor!
Style & Substance: What is your Style & Substance?
My Style & Substance is knowing that having style without any substance is worthless. I pride myself on knowing that fashion and entertainment doesn’t make the world go round but it is something that I’m passionate about. I make sure I volunteer my time with noble causes like Girl Scouts of America. I’m currently training to be a troop leader in Girl Scouts of Greater LA. At the end of the day it’s bigger than me!
