The Power of Networking

I've only ever gotten one job that I've formerly applied for, but have never been unemployed. All the positions listed on my CV approached me. Let me explain:

In 2004, I job shadowed at Femina Magazine during my last year of study. As I neared graduation, I was applying everywhere EXCEPT Femina. Somehow I imagined that it would take 10-yrs to get into magazines. I was submitting applications for receptionist roles when Femina called. They invited me for an interview, then offered me the role of junior features writer. I said yes! *The job shadow was mostly filing, but they did ask me to write two small pieces and I heard later that they had been very impressed.

Fast forward three years to 2007 and I am looking to move on. I had just received an offer from YOU Magazine (which I did apply for) when Cosmopolitan invited me for an interview. They offered me the role of features writer and (eek!) I said yes. I later learned that my former editor had recommended me.

-- I took a break from media for a while: did business proposals, tutored, some freelance writing, some PR for the Mother City Queer Project, got married, had a baby... --

In 2013, my then father-in-law spotted an ad in the Sunday Times inviting youth to take part in the Activate! Change Drivers civic education course. I applied. I got in. I learned so much in that year! In 2014, the Communications Manager at Activate! called and asked for my resume, then invited me to a meeting. They offered me a comms role. I said yes!

By August 2015, I had just left Activate! to freelance. I attended a (random) one-day data journalism workshop at Code for South Africa (now OpenUp). I liked it so much, I started tweeting and tagged them, of course. They asked if I'd tweet from their official account instead. I said sure. Fast forward to Dec 2015, I received an email asking if I would be interested in a Communications Manager role. I said yes!

About 18-months later, Ray Joseph - who had facilitated the data journalism workshop and who worked at Code4SA then for a while longer - called to say that Cape Town TV are looking for a Head of News for their community broadcast and that he thought I'd be great. They invited me for an interview and then offered me the position. I said yes!

My 10-year old daughter, when I tell her this, says 'This sounds like bragging Mommy'. And I tell her: these are all FACTS child. Also, I can't preach visibility to (brown) women and not practice it myself.

I wanted to tell this story to illustrate two things: 1) the power of networking and 2) also the power of social capital. I am aware that I have been insanely fortunate to have met influential people who would mention my name in rooms I was not even thinking about, but I also worked insanely hard, not to impress them, but to earn the privilege I was given.

Moral of the story: a) don't underestimate/ limit yourself about where your next role might come from and b) do actively nurture your network and connections.

*"My name is Lenina Rassool. I am writer, journalist and multimedia producer with 20 years’ experience in mainstream media and social justice spaces respectively.

Links to more of my writing:

Writing Samples: https://bit.ly/4k8ZTj0

The Womxn Show: https://bit.ly/4k8ZTj0

Mental Health Matters: https://bit.ly/3QvyHgM