I'm a Syracuse University alumnus, and since I work in media, some people assume I graduated from the famed S.I. Newhouse School of Communications.
I didn’t. I was a retail major. (I still don’t know what that means.) I always wanted to be a writer and editor — and I am one — and I’ve been involved with some really cool projects: I wrote a book, acquired a magazine, and even won an Emmy.
But because I didn't have a media background coming out of college, I was at a disadvantage early on. I've also had some tough luck in my career: I've been let go, downsized, been a part of a magazine closure, and dealt with difficult startups — I've collected unemployment seven different times.
It's been challenging and even depressing at times for my wife and me to wait for a big break in a tough industry. But I thrive on the stress is brings — the late nights closing a magazine issue and the sleepless ones meeting deadlines are all worth it for creating something.