I used to write about beauty and I hated every second of it, not because I didn’t wear makeup (in fact I love makeup ), but because it just didn’t fit my personality. But you know? I gave the subject and myself a chance to bond, and I used my misfit as an edge by showing a different perspective on presenting/selling the message. Your being different or as your colleague may have concluded being an outsider of a culture can be a strength if harnessed well. I wouldn’t want to unilaterally reassign someone (unless it’s against their beliefs, etc) to another brand just because they didn’t have the background. If the person wants to be challenged then that should be a no-brainer “yes.”
I really like reading personal stories like this. More!
Thank you for reading, France! Wow, that's such an interesting perspective. Is it like, "I love wearing lipstick, I love trying new shades on...but my voice is not the girly girl voice in Cosmo." ? You're right, the "gap" can be a strength especially if there's buy-in from all parties! Very good insight there.
I think if I had been a bit older and more experienced, I could have provided more insights and suggestions to that colleague (my boss, actually). It was a Japanese-themed home brand, and I could have suggested stuff like Japanese recipes, for example. But eh, I was 21.
I've had bosses who've handled the misfit aspect well, though! Telling me why they were putting me in that brand and what they wanted to get out of me. The fact that we were on the same page about the "gap" made it easier all around, I think. From them giving me directions to me asking if something was up to snuff.
I'm excited to write the next part! Thank you for the encouragement, France! :)
I had precisely this challenge in my first job. I wrote for an American television website... which is counterintuitive considering I didn't really watch a lot of American (scripted) television. And I continued to be assigned shows that I haven't seen and wouldn't be able to catch up with that easily. (This being 2008 or whereabouts, it was difficult.)
So, yes, research! I wasn't expected to be an expert, but I was expected to at least have an idea of what I'm talking about. And if I wasn't happy with that, I consoled myself with knowing that some of the shows I did get assigned I managed to do more with because I either caught up with them or watched them from the beginning. I loved my Lost coverage in the lead-up to season 6; I loved my coverage of the first season of Glee, when it *truly* mattered.
Thank you for reading, Niko! Hayy wow 2008 haha parang pirata lang yung option noon ah.
And yes, anime, and video games in general. Wasn't allowed to do both growing up and I only got to watch a smidge of anime when Paul and I started dating.
It's an immense world, but it's nothing research can't do. Iba naman rin kasi 'yung super passionate ka pero very niche concern ka naman. Like, my friend who's gudiing me into anime post-break-up, he's really into seiyuus (voice actors) because they can really make or break a program. And now I suppose Yoshino Aoyama is my favorite (and I like her songs too). Pero ibang rabbit hole na 'yan, haha!
It's good na may friend ka who guided you into a new hobby/interest! Appreciate people who share or talk about what they're passionate about but aren't condescending esp if they're talking to someone they know personally aka di lang pataasan ng ihi on Reddit or whatever.
I used to write about beauty and I hated every second of it, not because I didn’t wear makeup (in fact I love makeup ), but because it just didn’t fit my personality. But you know? I gave the subject and myself a chance to bond, and I used my misfit as an edge by showing a different perspective on presenting/selling the message. Your being different or as your colleague may have concluded being an outsider of a culture can be a strength if harnessed well. I wouldn’t want to unilaterally reassign someone (unless it’s against their beliefs, etc) to another brand just because they didn’t have the background. If the person wants to be challenged then that should be a no-brainer “yes.”
I really like reading personal stories like this. More!
Thank you for reading, France! Wow, that's such an interesting perspective. Is it like, "I love wearing lipstick, I love trying new shades on...but my voice is not the girly girl voice in Cosmo." ? You're right, the "gap" can be a strength especially if there's buy-in from all parties! Very good insight there.
I think if I had been a bit older and more experienced, I could have provided more insights and suggestions to that colleague (my boss, actually). It was a Japanese-themed home brand, and I could have suggested stuff like Japanese recipes, for example. But eh, I was 21.
I've had bosses who've handled the misfit aspect well, though! Telling me why they were putting me in that brand and what they wanted to get out of me. The fact that we were on the same page about the "gap" made it easier all around, I think. From them giving me directions to me asking if something was up to snuff.
I'm excited to write the next part! Thank you for the encouragement, France! :)
I had precisely this challenge in my first job. I wrote for an American television website... which is counterintuitive considering I didn't really watch a lot of American (scripted) television. And I continued to be assigned shows that I haven't seen and wouldn't be able to catch up with that easily. (This being 2008 or whereabouts, it was difficult.)
So, yes, research! I wasn't expected to be an expert, but I was expected to at least have an idea of what I'm talking about. And if I wasn't happy with that, I consoled myself with knowing that some of the shows I did get assigned I managed to do more with because I either caught up with them or watched them from the beginning. I loved my Lost coverage in the lead-up to season 6; I loved my coverage of the first season of Glee, when it *truly* mattered.
So... anime and Japanese video games, I assume?
Thank you for reading, Niko! Hayy wow 2008 haha parang pirata lang yung option noon ah.
And yes, anime, and video games in general. Wasn't allowed to do both growing up and I only got to watch a smidge of anime when Paul and I started dating.
It's an immense world, but it's nothing research can't do. Iba naman rin kasi 'yung super passionate ka pero very niche concern ka naman. Like, my friend who's gudiing me into anime post-break-up, he's really into seiyuus (voice actors) because they can really make or break a program. And now I suppose Yoshino Aoyama is my favorite (and I like her songs too). Pero ibang rabbit hole na 'yan, haha!
It's good na may friend ka who guided you into a new hobby/interest! Appreciate people who share or talk about what they're passionate about but aren't condescending esp if they're talking to someone they know personally aka di lang pataasan ng ihi on Reddit or whatever.
May kwento ako pero sa Notes ko na lang lagay! haha