I've been experiencing a lot of mixed emotions about the next step in my career. For those who don't know, upon completing my engineering degree in December, I'll be heading to Toronto to pursue Fashion Marketing and Merchandising. I'm excited to do something I feel passionate about, but I'm obviously nervous to leave the stable, cushy life of engineering to the crazy, unpredictable world that is fashion and writing. So to create a bit of vision and feel more encouraged and positive about the move, my advisor recommended I try interviewing "future me"... What kind of things would I have to say? How would I explain my dramatic switch? What would I be doing?
It helped a lot. I feel like all my confidence is back, like I can make my wildest dreams come true. Why?
Because I say so.
Disclaimer: May contain traces of exaggeration. Just a bit.
As I arrive to the interview, she is already seated, simultaneously flipping through the latest Vogue and reading today's issue of the New York Times. Weird combo? Not when you're meeting the always surprising Elisabeth _____ (fill in blank with my future last name, as I plan to chuck Perron out the window as soon as I get married - too hard to pronounce), nee Perron, accomplished author, celebratd magazine editor, and overall, one cool empowered chick. On the eve of her twenty years of career, we're here to discuss the early days.
Interviewer: Describe the last twenty years of your career in three words.
Elisabeth: Ambitious, non-traditional, and passionate.
I: You mention non-traditional. For those unaware, you actually studied engineering in university. What gives?
E: Engineering was this big challenge for me, almost a forbidden field. When you keep getting told it's demanding and so difficult, and so few girls do it, it provokes one of two reactions: you do it or you bolt. To me, it was almost like a dare. I said, "Challenge accepted!" So I did it.
I: And how did you progress into fashion from there?
E: About halfway through my program, I realized it really wasn't for me. Like Lizzie McGuire taught me with her rhythmic gymnastics, just because you can do something doesn't mean you love it. I still finished my program, mostly for completion's sake, but in my last year I crafted my escape: found my perfect job, the right program to get me there, and I broke the news to my parents.
I: How did they take it?
E: Not so well! In their defense, engineering has job stability, good money, and some prestige. So to shove all that aside is definitely not something parents want for their kids. But in the end I think they saw how miserable I was, so they agreed to let me try it.
I: What was that dream job at the time and how did you discover it?
E: Working at Glamour as a features editor.
While I was studying engineering, I had started keeping a blog with little blurbs of writing, pretty clothes I liked, etc. For me, it was about balance, writing funny silly things to balance my very serious major. But I found myself really enjoying it, I got good feedback, and so I started thinking maybe I could do this as more than a hobby.
I: But why Glamour?
E: I remember the first issue I ever read, September 2009 with Jessica Simpson on the cover. (Shoutout to my cousin Adrienne who gave it to me and started my Glamour love story!) I read it cover to cover, and felt this huge wave of relief, thinking, "Wow, there are other girls who think JUST like me!" It was this amazing mixture of fashion, wit, pop culture bonanza, and topics that empower women, which are all things I care about in my own writings. I never found another magazine that came even close to how I responded to Glamour.
I: So to get there, you pursued an associate degree in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising. Why not a writing program?
E: There were a few aspects to that decision. First, I didn't want to go back to school for another four years. So a program lasting only a year and a half made more sense. Then I felt like this program would give me lots of options and possible job opportunities. I remember reading an interview with Amy Astley (editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue) saying that her first job was with House and Garden. I feel like sometimes you have to take the backdoor to get in, not the obvious route. So I didn't start with my perfect job right away, but my fashion education was so diversified, it got my foot in the door. And I eventually made it to where I wanted to be!
I: Well your path certainly emphasizes the "alternative" approach.
E: I think my path turned out to be my greatest asset. It gave me a different perspective on everything and it definitely helped me stand out!
I: Considering that you did make it to Glamour, any words of advice for those trying to make it in a difficult career path?
E: Don't give up and use your differences to your advantage! I was president of the club for women in engineering in university, and it really opened my eyes to the empowerment of women. It made me want to help women discover things that aren't normally discussed in "girly" magazines: science, technology, etc... Combining that with my fashion background and love of writing gave me a winning combination! Glamour was already very focused on promoting women and all the cool things we do, so I'd say finding the right environment to foster your passion is important too!
I: I have noticed that a lot of your philanthropic work involves female empowerment.
E: I don't think girls know what they're capable of! We need to take what we want, aim higher, and move the world forward. But we can't do that until awareness is raised about those fields where women are in minorities, until more information is made available to help us... So really that's what my career has been dedicated to. The advancement of women. With a pinch of pop culture references.
