Got my first job! Working as a digital content producer at Royal Caribbean

Name: Yashodhara Suri ’17

Hometown: Miami, FL

Degree/major: B.S., Digital Media Studies

Where are you working? Title? Royal Caribbean Ltd., Junior Digital Content Producer

How did you get your job? My fellow Digital Media Studies and Honors College peer, Cristina Melendez, got me in contact with a consulting firm who got me an interview with Royal, and then I got the job offer!

What was your greatest fear going into your first job and how did you face it or overcome it? My greatest fear going into this job was working a full workday, 9-5, in an office setting. Since graduating last year, I’ve been working remotely and making my own hours as a digital media consultant for The Great Escape Room. I had a lot of freedom in traveling, doing what I want when I want. Luckily, I’m working in a very creative field in a great environment with like-minded people, so I’m able to thrive creatively and the hours fly by! I’m happy to be doing something I love so it really doesn’t feel like I’m being tied down.

What surprised you the most about your first job? What surprised me most is how great the work environment is. I don’t feel like if I make a small mistake I’ll be reprimanded. It feels like we’re all a team working together rather than me reporting to my boss and hoping I’m doing everything right. In my office, there are several break rooms, ping pong tables and areas to unwind and relax when you need to, which makes it a more relaxed, progressive environment rather than a traditional cubicle workplace.

What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process? I would definitely recommend reaching out to peers, mentors and going to job fairs. Making connections is the most effective way to find a job that’s best suited for you. Also, don’t stress! There’s a lot of pressure to get a job right after graduation but I took a year off and focused on things that I had been putting off in college, (i.e. my blog, traveling, etc.). It really helped me grow in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to if I didn’t have that time. I was lucky enough to still be able to make money by working remotely. Maybe finding a part time job in your industry or even interning would still be a great way to get some time to discover yourself post-graduation.

What does a day on the job look like? I just started the job. I’ve been training so far, but it starts off with a 30 minute “morning scrum,” which is a morning meeting in the digital department where everyone updates the others on what they’re up to or if they have any issues or concerns. Then just working with the rest of the team at a shared table on different creative/technical digital media tasks. We’re working on the Excalibur App which is Royal’s new on-cruise app.

How does your job connect back to what you learned during your time as a student in the Honors College? My job connects back to what I learned during my time as a student at FIU Honors through the workload and interdisciplinary aspect. I’m able to handle a lot of work and challenges that come my way, and they usually are pretty interdisciplinary as opposed to ONLY what I learned in my major, which definitely relates back to the Honors way of teaching.

How has your transition from school to work? How do you balance your time? I was working while I was in school so the transition has been pretty easy for me now that I have one less factor—all of my classes! I’m able to work and have a social life and spend time doing things that I love to do with people who I love.

What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far? So far, the coolest thing about my job is just the workspace! It’s such an open environment. I feel like I’m in a very progressive company! I love the outlook of the company and their importance in making things fun and interesting.