Margaret Kim, Founder of FUTURE NOW set up her organization to facilitate mentorship with media’s next generation. Similar to her experiences 20 years ago when she struggled to find resources and people to advise her in her career, she expressed surprise that these issues remain an obstacle. “Shouldn’t things be different by now? There is lack of knowledge; lack of access and opportunity; lack of mentorship and sponsorship; lack of training; lack of recognition, promotion and advancement; inequity in pay; and lack of diversity and inclusion. It’s been going on too long, and it is time to change this,” she asserted.
To that end, she has launched FUTURE NOW which recently held its Media & Entertainment Conference in New York. The conference began in 2017 in-person shifting to online during the pandemic. “Everything was live, nothing was pre-recorded. We had incredibly growth during the pandemic, because we remained committed to the students and the sponsors believed in us,” she explained and added, “2023 marks the 7th year of the conference and we were back in-person for the first time since the pandemic.”
So far, FUTURE NOW has, according to Kim, 800+ alumni who have attended the conference and a mentoring program that is entering its 5th year. “In the past 4 years, we have had 64 mentees matched with 64 mentors from the industry for one-on-one mentorship over a 9-month period,” she noted. In addition, alumni established the FUTURE NOW Media Podcast, syndicated on 9 platforms including on Apple and Spotify and established and contribute to The NOW monthly newsletter.
For those starting out, the opportunities for advancement, “is everywhere,” she stated. “There are the ones that are created for you by someone else and then there are the ones you create for yourself and others. It’s about seeing the possible and having the vision, courage, and determination to make things happen.” She advises students, “to engage with FUTURE NOW’s programming throughout the year, learn about the industry, connect with leaders as well as your peers, nurture those relationships, and volunteer with FUTURE NOW or other trade organizations to gain experience, hone skills, and gain mentors along the way.”
Yet, “There are the challenges of the current state of the industry which has been going through massive changes and stresses over the past few years,” she explained. “There have been major budget cuts, layoffs, reorgs, and just when you think the dust is settling, something else comes along to disrupt things again. Students need to be patient and use the time to hone their skills and build professional networks, so that when the opportunity finally comes their way, they are ready.”
As far as AI is concerned, Kim believes that, “AI will be both a challenge and opportunity for future media leaders. My hope is that leaders will be proactive, intentional, and rigorous in thinking through the applications and consequences of AI. The ethics, morals, and accountability regarding the use of AI are extremely important to consider. Future generations will be profoundly affected by the decisions we make today, and we cannot take this responsibility lightly.”
When asked what advice she would give to someone starting out today, she said, “Consider your WHY (your purpose) and pursue the truth in all things. I think of Socrates, who famously said, ‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’ ”
For companies, recruiting the best talent is pivotal. Kim stated that a true commitment is required for companies. “Most people can tell when a company is paying lip service or being genuine about something. When we see diversity and inclusion throughout the ranks of a company, including in the C-suite and on boards, that is a powerful statement of walking the talk and is extremely attractive to future leaders,” she explained.
Kim remains optimistic about the future. “I believe nothing is impossible and that where there is a will, there is a way. It takes vision, a strong work ethic, time, sacrifice, investment, determination, and grit. And, it takes community. One cannot do this alone. I imagine a new and bright future for the industry by building future leaders, gathering them, preparing them, connecting them with the industry, and helping them launch and soar…to go farther faster…and change the world…everyone winning,” she concluded.
This article first appeared in Mediapost.
Artwork by Charlene Weisler
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