From the outside it often looks as if the dominant factor that determines whether someone achieves their careers goals or not is luck (And you all know how I feel about “luck.”) From an insider’s perspective, having helped hundreds of people successfully make career transitions, I believe luck is simply when their hard work intersects with the right opportunity. And this intersection is no accident when you have the right strategy.

One of my favorite aspects of the Optimizer coaching & mentorship community is the relationships that are built when students support each other to pursue work they feel most passionate about. When Optimizer students Nick Towle and Fabian Corrado originally came to me, neither one of them knew each other. But they both knew they were tired of the jobs they had, they felt stuck after trying for years to make a seemingly impossible career change, and they were ready to do anything to get on the right path.

Nick Towle had been an editor in reality tv and transitioned to the scripted world as an assistant editor (AE). He was finding plenty of regular work, and he even had the opportunity to cut in addition to his AE duties, but he couldn't seem to land his first full-fledged scripted editing gig. Nobody was willing to give him the experience…without already having the experience.

Fabian Corrado was working successfully as an Assistant Editor in the trailer industry but felt unsatisfied and unfulfilled, and he knew he wanted to make the jump to scripted. He worked hard and spent many years climbing his way up the wrong ladder and felt stuck and trapped doing a job he no longer loved.

If you too are struggling to make a career transition, you feel stuck in a dead end career path, or you cringe when you think of networking, this episode will help you get unstuck and think of networking in a whole new light as you learn the strategies that both Nick & Fabian used to land huge career-changing opportunities (and ultimately work together on the same show!).

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Fabian started his career in EPK trailer houses but after 5 years wanted to make the transition to scripted.
How Fabian got connected with me and the Optimize Yourself program.
Fabian describes what it was like for him to 'hit the wall' in trailer editing.
Nick was an editor in reality tv and transitioned to scripted television as an assistant editor.
Nick talks about what motivated him to look for the Focus Yourself program.
Fabian explains the importance of uncovering your purpose and determining what career path is going to be most fulfilling.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Networking strategy is all about planting the right seeds.
Fabian was juggling two jobs while trying to do Focus Yourself.
Nick balanced raising a 3 year old while working through the program.
The story of how Fabian connected with an editor on his dream show.
Nick describes how he had to make the psychological switch in his own mind to see himself as an editor.
Why Fabian made the decision to walk away from a full-time job to do a 3 week freelance job.
The financial component to having the freedom to turn down work that isn't the right fit.
What made Fabian stand out amongst other qualified assistant editors to get his dream job.
How important it is to set yourself up for success in a job even if there are knowledge gaps that need to be filled.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Don’t pursue perfect at the expense of good enough.
Nick and Fabian's advice to their younger selves.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ep62: [CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello

Ep146: [CASE STUDY] From “Out of Ideas” to Becoming an Idea Machine | with Paul Del Vecchio

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia

Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself

Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Ep172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

The Zack Arnold Podcast