Please give us a bit of background about yourself
My name is Nafhat Sharif. I am a Content and Production assistant for Stylus Media and a creative writer. Before STEP, I was determined to find a non-traditional role in the creative industry for someone with an English Literature degree. It’s not that I didn’t want to write, I just wanted to find a role that would teach me about an industry outside of the usual publishing or English teacher routes (which are noble professions). I'm thankful I was introduced to trends forecasting through STEP. It’s such a fascinating industry where you have to be clued into all aspects of consumer engagement from e-commerce and social media, to luxury brand experiences and interior design trends. The intricate language of communication from Stylus to brands consists of infographics, vivid mood boards, crisp press images and dazzling copy that helps brands build better futures. Being a part of that, and not knowing what half of it all meant when I first started, has been a whirlwind (a very exciting one).
Can you tell us about your motivations for joining STEP?
I think the biggest obstacle is self doubt. Once you start thinking that the creative industry is out of reach and things will never click for you, your actions will respond to that negative thought pattern. The belief in yourself will motivate you and programmes like STEP give you the skills and courage to succeed. I wanted to push myself to be like the multi-disciplinaries I admire, and that couldn’t have been possible until I believed in my own adaptability.
Can you tell us about your time during the programme?
STEP has taught me that it’s never too late to start from step zero. One of the main blows to young people’s confidence is a belief that the window of opportunity narrows with age. It’s been roughly 2 and a half years since I joined STEP and my technical skills have expanded to include the mastering of content management systems, project management and data analysis. I am a lot more assured of myself in the workplace thanks to guidance from my STEP peers in our monthly mentoring sessions. The camaraderie amongst us was so wholesome and it was so lovely to see each other winning.
Do you have any reflections & recommendations?
At this point in my career journey, I feel ready to tackle anything that comes my way. I know I’ll always have the support of my mentors and the invaluable knowledge they shared to get me through. I think the only thing I would have done differently is made use of the STEP wellbeing fund when I had the chance!
Do you have any industry insights to share with us?
Always root for yourself, even if no one else does! It’s most likely you do have people rooting for you, silently and out loud - you just have to look. Gratitude is important and self-depreciation will get you nowhere. Opportunities like STEP are available to inspire hope and provide tools and it’s up to you to believe in yourself enough to see the value in applying.