All photos taken from @ebstagrammer
This week, I had the chance to listen to a talk by Ebony Renee Baker, the fashion editor at Refinery29 UK. From her time studying journalism at Ryerson University (now known as Toronto Metropolitan University) to her current position as fashion editor at one of the leading fashion and lifestyle publications in the UK, Ebony, who is originally from Toronto, highlighted her inspirational path.
In the media world, networking is crucial, and this was one of Ebony’s most important takeaways from her discussion. Although I had heard this before, hearing it from someone who utilized networking to get to a prominent position made it much more genuine. Ebony highlighted that putting yourself out there and establishing sincere connections are crucial elements of success in the media industry. It took more than just exchanging words and collecting business cards to build genuine connections, which ultimately led to new professional opportunities for her.
Immediately following her time at Ryerson, Ebony started her job as an employee of Vice Canada. She described how she was able to develop and learn the ins and outs of media creation by being a part of such a vibrant, creative atmosphere. However, she clarified that her path wasn’t straight; rather, it involved grasping opportunities and maximizing every role she held. She revealed that the position she was applying for at Refinery29 had been unfilled for more than a year. Her timing, opportunity, and prior networking all played a part in landing her a reference and, eventually, the job.
One thing Ebony mentioned that really resonated with me was how she talked about her time as a student editor, long before she was hired on as a professional. When the chance to work with Refinery29 presented itself, Ebony thought she was “faking it till she made it.” This way of thinking involved utilizing her prior experiences, abilities, and willingness to learn in order to take on a role that she had never held formally before, rather than trying to appear as though she knew it all. She discussed how she translated her ability to adjust from giving and receiving feedback in her academic career to her professional one, and how this contributed significantly to her success.
Listening to Ebony’s story was a reminder that sometimes we already have the tools we need; it’s about applying them in ways we may not have considered. This is a lesson on trusting your abilities and realizing that you don’t have to have everything worked out from the beginning . It’s acceptable to go into situations where you feel a little out of your element.
Ebony’s path serves as a testament to the value of perseverance, networking, and the ability to “fake it till you make it.” It’s an influential perspective, especially for those of us who are just getting started in the media industry, where confidence and relationships can really make all the difference.
– Sabrina
09/30/2024