Skip to main content

YoPro Talks: Building Your Career

by
Amy Lust
• Published on • Last modified on
Brandon Arolfo of PBS Digital Studios and Taryn Jackson Stewart from PBS Digital share their career stories, so far.
Talks

Figuring out your career path can seem as daunting as climbing Mt.Kilimanjaro. Except in order to hike Mt. Killi you have to hire porter to guide you, and help carry your stuff. If only your career path also came with this type of mandatory guidance and buddy system.

While no one will tell you what to do with your career, YoPro can help showcase stories of people who have been where you are or want in your career. Last week two career chameleons, Brandon Arolfo, lead maestro for PBS Digital Studios, and Taryn Jackson Stewart, PBS.org homepage guru spoke to PBS young professionals about their rather unique career trajectories. They shared advice on handling job burnout, taking positions and tailoring it to fit your needs and strengths, and leveraging influences along the way.

Figuring out your career path can seem as daunting as climbing Mt.Kilimanjaro. Except in order to hike Mt. Killi you have to hire porter to guide you, and help carry your stuff. If only your career path also came with this type of mandatory guidance and buddy system.

While no one will tell you what to do with your career, YoPro can help showcase stories of people who have been where you are or want in your career. Last week two career chameleons, Brandon Arolfo, lead maestro for PBS Digital Studios, and Taryn Jackson Stewart, PBS.org homepage guru spoke to PBS young professionals about their rather unique career trajectories. They shared advice on handling job burnout, taking positions and tailoring it to fit your needs and strengths, and leveraging influences along the way.

Rapid Fire Questions:

What is the best advice you've received?
Brandon- In chaos, there is opportunity. Most careers evolutions happen when someone steps into a mess and cleans it up.
Taryn - The best advice that I have ever received is to learn how to negotiate. There is a skill to the counter-offer. It is always worth it to go back to the negotiating table and ask for exactly what you feel you are worth.

What's your advice for someone coming into public media?
Brandon- Public Media serves the American people. Whatever your job function is, whatever level you are, whatever your salary is… you’re apart its mission. So don’t waste your chance to affect real change.
Taryn - Make sure that you are passionate and believe in the mission. In order to be successful in public media you have to always remember WHY you are working in public media. Sometimes the challenges in the public media space can seem daunting but fighting and pushing through to the end is always worth it!
Feedback:
YoPro is all about building a strong network, please use the feedback form to submit your ideas of future speakers and topics you'd like to hear, and share your thoughts on the format.

Connect with Us:
Email YoPro Leads: yopro@pbs.org
Join YoPro Facebook Group Facebook.com/groups/PBSYoPro/

Section Header

About the Speakers

-

Sr. Director, PBS Digital Studios

Brandon Arolfo

With over 10 years experience in developing and producing television and digital programming, Brandon joined PBS in early 2015.

Sr. Manager, PBS Digital

Taryn Jackson-Stewart

Taryn has been with PBS since 2008 and leads efforts to curate the PBS.org homepage. She also leads strategy and presence for the PBS Online Film Festival.

Section Header