Opportunities to Make a Difference in a Community
Pros
I have been fortunate enough to work for this employer for a number of years. As a media company, magazine publisher, event promoter, and retail business, Volume One does a lot of different things that impact the community in numerous ways. It is gratifying and inspiring to see the impact that my work has on a daily basis. This is a dynamic workplace where one day is rarely like the next. As with most media-related jobs, the emphasis is on both speed and quality — creating important, valuable, enjoyable, and even inspiring content that makes a difference in the community. I work in the editorial department, and I’ve had to develop many new skills over the years as the business has expended into a variety of new online channels in addition to the print publication. While I spend most of my day writing and editing, a typical day also involves creating online and social media content, working closely with graphic designers, advertising salespeople, and even videographers to make sure customers, clients, and audiences get what they need. Miscellaneous tasks can include everything from working in a tent at the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, setting up for a huge kid-friendly event at the Pablo Center, or writing and performing in goofy videos. There are very few dull moments! A few more bullet points: * Dynamic environment (see above). * We can literally see the impact of what you do in the community. There is plenty of positive feedback from the public. * Opportunities to work with people in a wide variety of jobs all pulling in the same direction. * Generally good communication among departments. * Diverse work environment in terms of gender, age, race, LGBTQ+ status, etc. * Management is open to new ideas and values creativity and flexibility. Frankly, the company bent over backwards to keep people paid and keep the ship afloat during the uncertainty of the pandemic. * Management welcomes feedback — and even pushback — to initiatives and ideas. You will not always get your way as an employee, but you will always be heard. * Generous pay and PTO policies. Employees can get PTO for a certain amount of volunteer time, and can be reimbursed for professional education. Oh, and free coffee. :)
Cons
* Working in the media can be stressful. Deadline pressures are real, and mistakes are magnified when they’re made in full view online or in print for thousands of readers. * It’s a rapidly changing industry, so change can sometimes be quick or even unwelcome. Like many other businesses during the pandemic, we’ve had to adapt to survive and thrive. * Feedback from the public isn’t always positive, although we rarely attract the same kinds of trolls who hand out in the comment sections of most media websites! * In a fast-moving environment, communication can fall by the wayside sometimes. * Creativity doesn’t always come easily. It’s sometimes hard to meet the job’s demands, but the show much go on!
