Steele In The Spotlight
“Run towards the roar,’ the old people used to tell the young ones. When faced with great danger and when people panic and seek a false sense of safety, run towards the roaring and go where you fear to go. For only in facing your fears can you find some safety and a way through. When the world rattles and the end seems near, go towards the roar.”
So, for the past few weeks, I have seriously been considering freelance. I love Journalism and Photography equally and want to pursue them both. With graduation coming up in around four weeks, the path is more tempting.
In Monday’s capstone class, we got to meet and hear from Lauren Steele. Steele is a freelancer and has written for publications such as Men’s Journal and Vice Sports. Her photography is showcased on Instagram with over 3,000 followers.
Steele has been a voracious reader since a young child. In fact, in her talk, Steele admitted that reading too late would sometimes get her in trouble with her parents.
The first person in her family to go to college, Steele enrolled at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. Among students that had strict career aspirations, Steele threw herself into the program, immersing herself in everything the program had to offer. Steele says the work never got old.
A Leap of Faith
After graduation, Steele made a decision that would change the course of her life. Steele decided that she would move to New York City, NY, and drove her Pontiac from New Mexico to NYC, without a job lined up. She found a job housesitting and would make the drive from the post-industrial neighborhood in Massachusetts to New York City, meeting influential people in the journalism field for coffee, and picking their brain.
The third week of hosting these meetings, Steele met Matt Allyn, of Men’s Journal. Allyn needed someone to write during the Christmas season. Steele pitched 10 stories; all were approved. Steele wrote them and was able to move to the city she had driven so far to get to.
Steele has since written for multiple publications, from Rolling Stone to Munchies. Steele says it is important not to discriminate when it comes to publications.
Facing Your Freelance Fears
There are so many people who speak about freelance work, but never give specifics about the reality of the career type. Steele unpacked the job and gave valuable information for students interested in the field.
Steele admits the business is one of peaks and valleys, but that instability should not hold you back from pursuing the career.
Steele says you must discipline yourself to research stories and cannot have off days, like others could have in a standard 9:00-5:00 position.
A Roth IRA, a Savings Account and treating yourself as a business are important to being successful and protecting oneself for the future.
Steele says that there is a sense of false sense of security when working for established companies. Nothing is permanent and can change. Steele says it is important to have multiple things '“on the burner.”
The Zen of Steele
“No one is stopping you, except for yourself.”
“Be comfortable with the discomfort.”
“No one can step into that spot like you can.”
One thing that struck me while listening to Steele is her motivational tone. Mixed in among her advice and realistic explanations of the business, were valuable quotes and insights that pertained to life, as well as a freelance career.
Steele says that in this career, you must fill the insecure foundations of yourself. That self-confidence translates into the professional risks you are willing to take.
Forming Relationships
Relationships are important in the freelance business. Steele is quick to point out that relationships should not be superficially made just to network. You must be genuine and really invest.
Steele says it is important not to look for friends in the industry, but for people you work well with and that will hold you accountable. These people usually end up becoming friends, according to Steele, and are worthwhile.
Steele says you spend a third of your life working in a profession and that you should be around people that you are excited to be around.
Relationships aren’t only formed between coworkers, but with subjects of stories. Steele says that every story you will cover, will change you as a person.
The enthusiasm Steele has for her career is infectious and leaves you wanting to take on every opportunity. If you would like to check out her website or Instagram page, I have posted those links below.
Social Media Links
Meet Caitlin
Caitlin is a storyteller and photographer currently based in the coastal city of Wilmington, N.C.
A self-confessed romantic, she is a firm believer that there is good in the world.
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