Where do our dream jobs come from?
I talked to two students who shared how television and film influenced their career aspirations.
LSU Junior Madison Cannon is a political communications major pursuing a career in law.
“I remember shows like ‘Law and Order,’ ‘How To Get Away With Murder,’ and movies like ‘Legally Blonde,’ that influenced me to look into law and all it entails,” Cannon said.
While discovering her interest in law through her television screen, Cannon realized it might be the career path for her as early as middle school.
“These shows and movies inspired me to look into law and what areas I personally see myself going into. From there, I did a lot of research and started educating myself on law. I would do school-related projects on different topics and even watch documentaries during my free time,” Cannon said.
People often find themselves connecting to characters through their performances when watching shows and movies. Whether pulling on our heartstrings or making us feel confident and seen, we often relate to our favorite characters. For Cannon, that character was Annalise Keating, played by the highly accomplished Viola Davis in “How to Get Away with Murder.”
“She inspired me in a way that made me want to become a good lawyer in the future. Although the show has a lot of drama, it showcases certain techniques I wish to use when I become a lawyer,” Cannon said.
The life of a college student can be exciting as well as overwhelming. How does one follow through with what they started? We find something to keep us going. Whether it’s faith, family, mentors or promises we make to ourselves as children, we find drive somehow. In this case, it’s television and film.
“I do use my shows and movies to drive me as I am an aspiring lawyer who wants to make a difference in my community,” Cannon said.
In just a few years, Cannon will be commanding courtrooms and using her best legal jargon like the characters who came before her, such as Annalise Keating and Elle Woods.
LSU Sophomore Lana Lawson, who is a mass communication major, credits the show “iCarly” for shaping her career aspirations.
“This show aired long before influencer culture was around, so as a kid, I was so amazed at how the characters were also kids who were able to blow up and be famous on the internet from doing a web show. Watching this show really got me interested in making videos and being on camera,” said Lawson.
Lawson was only four years old when she first saw Carly, Sam and Freddie bring comedic bliss to her screen. Out of the trio, it was Carly whom Lawson felt a connection to.
“I definitely connect the most to Carly Shay. She was very introverted when she wasn’t in front of the camera. Doing her web show brought out a different side of her. She had a very reserved yet silly personality but also knew when to be serious and professional, and I really relate to that,” said Lawson.
Lawson is pursuing a career in broadcast journalism with hopes of having a big media presence like the characters of the Nickelodeon hit show.
“I haven’t done much work with cameras yet, but it’s my goal. I’m currently taking a course where I am learning to work with cameras, and I am practicing interviewing people around me,” said Lawson.
The shows that influence us hold unique places in our hearts. Many individuals still find themselves reminiscing about simpler times by watching television and film favorites.
“To this day, I still watch ‘iCarly’ all the time. I’ve even watched the reboot, and it really gives me so much in nostalgia,” said Lawson.
Just like Madison and Lana, television and film have played a huge role in choosing my career plans.
I recently saw an Instagram post that showed pictures of actresses who portrayed writers in romantic comedies with a tweet, “Why did every rom-com growing up make it seem like being a writer was the most exciting job you could possibly have?”
There has always been such an allure about the lifestyle of a writer. Even though I’ve been fed glamorized fictional depictions of this occupation, all these years later, I remain intrigued.
The ladies in cinema always make their writing jobs look like the most elegant occupation a person could have. They attend fabulous parties, wear dreamy clothes, and they look like they actually enjoy their careers.
It was television and film that heavily influenced my aspirations of working at editorial magazines such as Vogue and/or Glamour. You could say life is imitating art, as I am a journalism major with a love for all things fashion, entertainment and pop culture.
After my days at LSU, I hope to land a job with an editorial publication. Until then, I’m enjoying crafting articles such as this one at the Reveille.
Here are a few movies and shows responsible for my career path in writing and fashion:
Sex and the City ( 1998-2004 )
Character: Carrie Bradshaw
Actor: Sarah Jessica Parker
13 Going on 30 ( 2004 )
Character: Jenna Reink
Actor: Jennifer Garner
Confessions of a Shopaholic ( 2009 )
Character: Rebecca Bloomfield
Actor: Isla Fisher
True Jackson, VP ( 2008-2011)
Character: True Jackson
Actor: Keke Palmer
The Devil Wears Prada
Character: Andrea Sachs
Actor: Anne Hathaway
