Why I left my dream job at NBC and Telemundo

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the journey of Fernando Hurtado, a video journalist who made the significant decision to leave his long-standing roles at NBCUniversal and Telemundo to pursue independent storytelling. This guide will outline the key steps and considerations involved in making a career transition, especially in the media industry, as well as tips for anyone looking to embark on a similar path.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Career Goals

• Identify Your Passion: Consider what aspects of your current job you enjoy and what you want to focus on moving forward. Fernando aimed to tell stories about U.S. Latinos.
• Evaluate Your Current Role: Analyze the reasons for your dissatisfaction or desire for change. Is it the company culture, the type of work, or the impact of your stories?
• Set Clear Objectives: Define what independence means for you. Is it creative freedom, financial independence, or the ability to choose your projects?

Step 2: Plan Your Transition

• Research Your Market: Understand the landscape of independent journalism. Look for opportunities where your unique voice can fill a gap.
• Create a Content Strategy: Determine what types of stories you want to tell and how you will present them. Fernando plans to create visually rich and deeply researched content.
• Build Your Brand: Establish an online presence. Fernando launched his channel "In The Hyphen" and utilized platforms like TikTok and Instagram to reach his audience.

Step 3: Financial Preparation

• Assess Your Finances: Ensure you have a financial cushion to support yourself during the transition. This could involve saving a few months' worth of expenses.
• Explore Funding Options: Consider avenues such as Patreon to support your journalism. Fernando encourages followers to join his Patreon for additional support.

Step 4: Network and Collaborate

• Connect with Other Creators: Reach out to fellow journalists and content creators. Collaboration can open doors and provide new opportunities.
• Engage with Your Audience: Start building a community around your work. Use social media to connect with viewers and solicit feedback on your content.

Step 5: Create and Share Your Content

• Start Producing Content: Begin creating and posting videos or articles based on your research and interests. Focus on quality and storytelling.
• Utilize Multiple Platforms: Share your work across various platforms to maximize reach. Fernando emphasizes short-form content on TikTok alongside his YouTube channel.

Conclusion

Transitioning from a stable job to independent work can be daunting but rewarding. By reflecting on your career goals, planning your transition, preparing financially, networking, and creating engaging content, you can forge your own path in journalism or any other field. Take inspiration from Fernando Hurtado's journey and consider how you can apply these steps to your own career aspirations. Explore your passions, build your brand, and share your unique story with the world.