Domenick Ferranti participated in Repurpose Your Purpose's group program for career changers and was able to successfully change careers after hard work and determination. His career change story is a perfect example of how to "use what you already know to do something new." Domenick was so kind to share his experience by answering a few questions, so his career change story could inspire more career changers to take the leap. Thank you, Domenick!
Domenick's Career Change Story
What did you do before enrolling in Repurpose Your Purpose's group program to change careers and what did it feel like?
I was an executive assistant at several various entertainment companies; including freelance television shows, tv/film studios, agencies and management companies. I went through a variety of different positions, but all were related to assisting executives or producers. My tasks included answering phones, scheduling/coordinating meetings, filing papers and helping my boss with anything to make his or her life easier. I would help tangentially with the production of large-scale films and television shows.
Had you been thinking for a while about changing careers before enrolling? What prompted you to join the program?
Yes, I went through a phase for almost two years before I decided I needed to actually make a change. I kept thinking that this was all I wanted to do and that there was a way to get there (and that being an assistant was the ONLY way). I never realized that I could slightly pivot my role and utilize my overall skill sets to try something else, whether that be something entirely different or even slightly different from what projects I was working on or what my day-to-day tasks were. What prompted me to join was my buddy Josh, who had told me about your program, because he knew I was unhappy with my work situation. I knew something had to change and that I couldn't keep going on like this.
What was it like for you to attend Repurpose Your Purpose's group program to change careers? Did anything about the experience surprise you?
The program overall was fantastic, and it helped me tremendously in regards to taking action and being truthful with myself. I knew I was in tune with myself prior to taking the program, having done a ton of "self" work on my own; learning my strengths and weaknesses, finding out my true passions, etc. but this program helped me vocalize and talk to others about all those thoughts, instead of keeping them inside (or to my close friends), and not acting on them. This program not only helped me discover NEW insights about myself, but helped me act on them, which to me was the most valuable aspect of it all.
The experience did surprise me in that it made me think about how others view me, and how my confidence is a skill set in and of itself, and that it's about taking the first step. The experience also taught me that there are others out there that have the same exact feelings and problems as me, and that everyone was there to help each other, which I found tremendous comfort it.
What was your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part of the program was an exercise where we had to ask our closest friends, colleagues, and family members what our best qualities and skills were. I found this very eye-opening and helpful because there were things that I didn't realize about myself and that helped with my overall confidence and down the line, my career change. My favorite "aspect" of the program was that it was a small, dedicated, supportive group (including you), who really listened to me and wasn't just there for themselves. Since it was no more than 10 people in the room, I felt comfortable sharing my stories and views and in turn, helped me reciprocate and help others.
What shifted for you after the program? What action(s) were you able to take after the program compared to before?
Before the program, I had done tons of self-work and research on what I wanted (or thought I wanted). After I completed the program though, I felt energized, because I knew there were other people out there with the same issues and problems I was dealing with, and that helped me deal with the situation head on, from a confidence standpoint. It helped me take action after I was done, and helped me learn much more about myself and the direction I was headed.
What do you do now and how does it feel?
I still work in entertainment, but I made a significant pivot into entertainment marketing, as opposed to working on the television shows and films themselves. I now work in an entirely different sector of the business (so instead of television/film production at a studio, I'm now working at an entertainment marketing agency in the Broadway division). I've been at my company for just over three months, so I'm still learning so much (which is something I strove for prior to taking the program). I absolutely love it, but I still look at this journey as ongoing, and I feel confident now that I can make a change at any point and be okay.
What would you say to someone who might be on the fence about enrolling in Repurpose Your Purpose's program to change careers?
I would say that the program is very good at getting some pretty large insights out of your brain and into the universe, meaning that it helps conceptualize what you're feeling and turns those feelings into actions (at least for me). Of course, everything that you do is based on what you put into it. I went in to the program already having done some self-work and learning about myself but it really made me realize that there were others out there with the same situations and feelings as me, which in and of itself was comforting and motivating.
Domenick Ferranti has been in the entertainment industry for over eight years, working at various types of companies including major television and film studios, production companies, talent agencies, management companies and a brief stint in freelance productions. Having extensive customer service and project management skills, he now works at an entertainment marketing agency, as a Coordinator in the A/V department. He's a creative storyteller at heart and brings an exciting and fresh perspective to all the projects he works on.
Looking for more testimonials from Repurpose Your Purpose’s clients? Read them here. And if you want to change careers…but don’t know what to do next, apply to join my next group program - it starts in June. Or reach out to work one-on-one, no matter where you are in the world. One day you two might have a real career change story to share ♥
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