Career Roadmap
Michael's work combines: Film, Writing, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Rampart High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science and Government, General
Northwestern University
Bachelor's Degree
Sociology, General
Northwestern University
Graduate Degree
Social Work
Columbia University in the City of New York
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Producers & Directors:
High School
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I went straight into the Marine Corps following high school.
2.
I was part of the initial invasion of Iraq; as a result, I've dealt with both a TBI and PTSD.
3.
An important moment of necessitated clarity was when I received my DD214 discharge paperwork.
4.
Getting that physical piece of paper, it really hit me: I had to figure out what was next, quickly.
5.
I hit rock bottom and had to confront my PTSD and alcohol issues.
6.
I decided to go back to school and get my bachelor's and master's degrees.
7.
Completing both of my degrees gave me enough motivation and inspiration to pursue my film career.
8.
Took a little from each defining moment and compiled the moments to create the momentum to move on.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You'll never make it in that industry.
How I responded:
I feel like I heard discouragement from anyone and everyone in my life at some point. It's so cliché, but haters are gonna hate. People are going to be fighting for the position that you want, so there are naturally going to be more people rooting against you than there are cheering for you. The best way to combat that is by keeping your cheering section as close to you as possible. Just know that if someone doesn't support you, they're not worth worrying about.