Thoughts About Success

I think there are more opportunities for minorities in the entertainment industry than ever before. In many ways, however, these opportunities are harder to find than those in other industries. Media companies don't typically have formal training programs or recruit on college campuses. You have to be proactive in seeking out people in the industry who are doing what you want to do and getting your resume in front of them. Informational interviews are valuable because they help to develop relationships and give the candidate a better understanding of the industry. But often, these companies want college grads to start out in administrative positions, and this is difficult if you are supporting yourself, have student loans, etc. Relationships and time in the industry are important and valued in entertainment. For minorities, I think at least a college degree is essential, and graduate degrees are quite valuable. These are hard choices that everyone has to make for himself. I chose to start my career in another industry and transitioned into entertainment at a more senior level. My first job out of MBA School was in brand management, where I remained for four years. It was helpful in that it allowed me to develop a solid record as a marketing executive, and was excellent in terms of overall business training. I transitioned into entertainment because I wanted to work in a more creative and fast paced field.

The most valuable thing in developing my career was to always have a long-term goal. As early as high school, I could tell you where I wanted to be in five and ten years. Of course, as you learn about opportunities and grow as an individual, these goals change. But it's important to realize how the decisions you make today will affect your long-term future.

One of the challenges of being an African-American woman in the business world has been finding people who were willing to take a chance on me to allow me to take on challenges that I knew I was capable of handling. At one point, I was passed over for a vice president position in favor of a white man who had not even a college degree, while I had an undergraduate degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard. It was painful, but eventually I was promoted many times over, while he remains in that position five years later, with little hopes of moving forward. In difficult times like this, it's crucial to have your own internal sense of self confidence and values, and always make sure that the job you have today is somehow positioning you for something better in the future.

Tracy Lawrence is the senior vice president and general manager of Fox Family Channels, Los Angeles.