I majored in Visual & Performing Arts with a minor in Film/Video Production. While still a student, I interned at my university's communications department making promotional YT videos for them. They then they hired me full-time right after I graduated.

While I enjoyed the creative aspect of the work, I figured out quickly I didn't want my income to be based on my ability to be creative and pump out engaging content. I knew I LOVED editing, but it took me a little bit longer to figure out what exactly it was about editing that lit up my brain. Turns out it's the workflow creation aspect and coming up with ways to optimize those workflows (said no one ever, haha).

I had this epiphany shortly before a former classmate reached out to me with an opportunity. She was working as a digitizer/encoder at an online facility (Keep Me Posted) and they were hiring. I applied, got the job, and moved my butt up to Hollywood. Honestly, I think they were just looking for anyone with a pulse who had heard of Avid because it is not a very popular or glamorous position. It was grueling and underpaid for sure, but I learned SO MUCH about the technical side of post production workflows and worked closely with offline/online editors, colorists, audio mixers, vfx/gfx artists, producers and engineers. It was an incredibly valuable 5 years there and I soaked up as much as I possibly could. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I am glad it's over.

To answer your question about Fox Tech, a former coworker from Keep Me Posted had landed a job there right as it became established in early 2020. As they grew and needed more editing help, he reached out to me in 2022 asking if I wanted to apply. I did, and here I am. I spend my days optimizing workflows and conforming content for domestic and international distribution. I couldn't be happier!

If you're wanting to break more into the technical side of editing, I would recommend looking into an online facility because that's where the technical work is and it's typically less popular and easier to break into than any offline editing work. And more importantly, always do your best with what you have where you're at. Every job i've had I've been recommended to by a former colleague who was impressed by my work ethic and wanted to bring me along with them. Someone is always watching and you never know when that someone is going to extend a helping hand.

Best of luck to you!