I quit National Geographic to make TikToks. It was the best career move I ever made.
Erin McGoff discusses her career transition from documentary filmmaking at National Geographic to becoming a full-time career advice creator on TikTok. She emphasizes the power of self-employment and the importance of social media as a direct communication tool.
Why it matters
The story highlights the shifting landscape of professional media and the growing trend of individuals leveraging personal branding on social platforms over traditional institutions.
Erin McGoff left her job to focus on her TikTok. Courtesy of Erin McGoff Erin McGoff left her film career to focus on her TikTok channel. She says that people should list their familiarity with AI on their résumés. She's seeing more parents, especially moms, looking for self-employment. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Erin McGoff . It has been edited for length and clarity. I've always been the friend whom people turn to for career advice . As a freelance film editor, I had to network my way into a super competitive industry. That meant I acquired a lot of experience in being hired and hiring others to work with me. During the pandemic, my documentary film work came to a screeching halt. Like many people, I downloaded TikTok , and one day, on a whim, I decided to make a video with career advice.
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