Surviving Industry Setbacks: Finding Hope in Uncertain Times
Posted on: Mar 20, 2025
Photo Credit: Kraken Images // ShutterstockIt seems like as soon as there’s some forward motion and things start to look up—BAM! Something else comes along and stops things dead in its tracks in the industry. As a result, you might end up taking a few steps back in your career. Around this time last year, I wrote about “How Taking a Step Back Can Propel Your Career Forward.” However, that was on the career-side of things. So, what about outside of your career, on a personal level?
For me, last year was the slowest in terms of consistent work in the industry. I kept seeing and hearing “Survive until ’25,” and even though it was met with skepticism, I eventually started to look forward to the new year as it drew closer.
Key Highlights:
- The past few years have been filled with setbacks, leaving many in the industry struggling with inconsistent work and uncertainty.
- The LA wildfires worsened an already difficult situation, forcing a survival mindset both professionally and personally.
- Despite the challenges, networking and unexpected opportunities in other cities have provided hope and new career possibilities.
Unfortunately, the LA wildfires put career opportunities to rest rather quickly. It was a gut-punch. Many of us had already been put in situations where all we knew was survival, and this took things to a whole new level. Like many, I needed a break from everything ASAP, and was thankful to have my mom open her home to me. However, she’s on the other side of the country from LA. It becomes tough to relax when you go from grinding so much and having somewhat of a routine with multiple sources of income, to having very little certainty or even hope, if at all.
On the bright side, thanks to technology, I’ve been on Zoom and networking with professionals who’ve given so much insight on certain roles and sectors of the industry that I hadn’t quite considered before. I’ve also been asked about my availability to work from referrals in a couple cities across the country I hadn’t considered, when my focus was solely on finding work in LA. Surprisingly, I’ve received more out-of-town work requests recently than I did in the past few months in LA. While some leads may not materialize, it’s helped reduce my anxiety and provided moments of optimism.
It can feel lonely and isolating at times, and no matter what you do you’re taking a risk. Staying in the competitive workpool of LA, or leaving to find work. In these uncertain times, I encourage you to give yourself some grace, patience, and allow yourself the time to explore avenues you hadn’t considered before. You never know where it may lead.
There are many of us in the same predicament, and this blog was to give a “virtual-hug” to those who are in the same boat. It’s not our first go around at a dry spell in the industry, and so we’ll surely make it through.
Gabrielle Glenn is an unscripted TV producer and development professional.
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