generationbreakthrough.com

I work for Blue Man Group, more specifically for the theatrical management department of Blue Man Productions, their headquarters. Blue Man Group is one of the most progressive and respected companies today, due in large part to their commitment in finding intelligent, forward-thinking employees. I often consider myself lucky to have landed a job with this company right out of college, and yet I realize that I went through breakthroughs and tough breaks to get to where I am.

A tough break seems like the first step in my path. I was in an undergraduate program that left me unfulfilled and uneducated. When compared to the intensive program I had hoped to get into, I was bitter towards professors and administrators and felt cheated out of a decent education. Since I had more time on my hands, however, I was able to help with the birth of a student-run theatre company. I was able to create what wasn’t handed to me, and that alone was more rewarding than anything I learned in class. At the same time, I worked for three separate companies related to the arts. They were low-level jobs, but the knowledge gained from “real world” experiences holds more weight than any diploma.

I moved to New York from Florida after graduating. I had less than a month in an apartment sublet to find a permanent home and a job. Applications were sent to countless companies with little to no response. I reached out to those working in the arts for assistance, and their support kept my spirits high – never underestimate the power of a helping hand. This is a difficult world in which to go after your dreams, but you may be surprised at the number of people more than willing to help you achieve your goals.

I was finally offered a couple positions, but they didn’t seem to fit. I was either overqualified or just uninterested in the job, and I wasn’t willing to settle into a place that didn’t challenge me or make me happy. It’s hard to be so choosy when times are tough, but you can always keep the job search open while paying the bills with a job that may not suit you.

With a week left in my sublet, I landed an interview with Blue Man Group. Instead of dragging down the conversation with my setbacks, I told of the lessons I learned from the challenges. I was interested in the company as much as they were in me, and I expressed that by wanting to learn more about them, so much more that the only way to get the answers was to be working on the inside. After a few interviews and the always recommended Thank You note, I left it to fate and didn’t stress about something I had no control over.

I was hired within a week, and after two years and two promotions, I’m just as excited to be working with Blue Man Group as I was right out of school. I won’t be working for this company forever. I know the time will come to pack up and pursue one of my twenty other dreams. But while I’m here, I’ll learn what I can, help the company grow, and proudly represent a generation that’s realizing its full potential.