“I love watching people go after what they truly want and enjoy”

Our advice column is continuing to wind down, reflecting on the last half of 2024. Shanice Mears shares her experience of giving advice and her predictions for the future in this week’s Creative Career Conundrums.

Date
9 December 2024

Creative Career Conundrums is a weekly advice column from If You Could Jobs. Each week their selected panel of professionals from the creative industry answers your burning career questions to help you navigate the creative journey.

Every week our talented roster has been answering our reader submitted questions. Now that the year is drawing to a close – we thought they’d like to take a break. We’ve taken over this week’s question to give our advice givers a chance to look back and forward to the new year.

This week’s question:

Think back on the questions you’ve answered—what common themes or topics came up? What are your hopes for 2025? And are there any areas or topics you’re excited to explore more in the new year?

Shanice Mears, co-founder and head of talent at The Elephant Room:

It’s always so interesting to write a reflective post because there are so many things to consider, but it’s equally a privilege to approach it with a hopeful and optimistic outlook.

“There seems to be a recurring hesitation around diving in and going after what we truly want.”

Shanice Mears

One common theme I noticed is the challenge of figuring out where to start – whether that’s transitioning into a new role, aiming for a promotion, or simply doubling down on what you really want. There seems to be a recurring hesitation around diving in and going after what we truly want. The creative industry, I think, often surprises people by being a space where they can pursue a valuable, fun, and interesting career – something they might not have realised was possible.

I hope in 2025 we can all share more. The industry often faces a challenge with everyone working in silos. While there are many resources, events, and online spaces available to help people gain access and knowledge, they often operate independently rather than collaboratively.

I’m excited to see those possibilities come to life. I love watching people go after what they truly want and enjoy. I’d also love to hear more stories about breaking through the industry – stories of resilience and empowerment.

In answering your creative career conundrums we realise that some issues need expert support, so we’ve collated a list of additional resources that can support you across things that might arise at work.

If You Could is the jobs board from It’s Nice That, the place to find jobs in the creative industries.

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Further Info

View jobs from the creative industries on It’s Nice That’s jobs board at ifyoucouldjobs.com.

Submit your own Creative Career Conundrum question here.

About the Author

Shanice Mears

Shanice Mears @shannieloves is co-founder and head of talent at The Elephant Room. The Elephant Room is an independent integrated creative agency. She has worked with global brands including PUMA, Chivas Regal, Converse, and Pinterest. Shannie has a network of over 2,000 creative talent and was recently named Forbes 30 Under 30 2023. Shannie has also lectured at Kingston University within the creative and cultural industries department, and previously sat on the Race and Ethnic Disparities Board at No.10 Downing Street, advising on race and policy. Being passionate about Black education and early intervention, Shannie has sat on funding panels and boards, and facilitated creative workshops in the advertising creative industry and in schools across the United Kingdom.

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