Meet our #WCW for the week, Kaitlin Bible. Currently working at SiriusXM, Kaitlin is taking the entertainment industry by storm. Keep reading to find out what she has to say about staying positive and her goals for the future :
1. What's your story? What makes you unique?
I moved to New York City 2.5 years ago after I was accepted into the NBCUniversal Page Program. Let me tell you, I never had any desire or prior plans to move to this city. I was always an L.A. bound kind of girl. However, life takes unexpected turns. Thus far, accepting the job as Page has been one of my best decisions ever. The program was life changing and I also have to mention 30 Rock is my all-time favorite show. I’ve made friends I will cherish forever and have an endless catalog of wild stories to tell. If you know anything about the program, it’s as cool as you imagine. For those of you that have seen 30 Rock Pages are somewhat like Kenneth but smarter, more responsible, and better looking (yes we used this line on our Page tours). The program opened me up the crazy world that is the entertainment industry. I haven’t looked back since. Now, it hasn’t been easy and I will tell you that right away. I hated New York for the longest time which is not a “hip” or “cool” thing to say. But hey, New York is a tough place to live. It can kick your butt, even if you’ve lived here for 10+ years. I failed a lot, I cried a lot, lost my Metro Card a lot, and I swore a lot but I also kept going, persevered, leaned on my family and friends and prayed a lot. After leaving the program, which is a one year long, I worked in daytime television for a season, worked on a movie set, and then landed my current role at SiriusXM. I feel like I am finally settling into a great place professionally and personally. Growing pains hurt but I haven’t given up and won’t. I am in a great role where I can grow creatively while still finding time to have a life outside of work. For so long I’ve defined myself by my job and didn’t realize how much happier I am now that I have time to focus on a life after hours. I can finally say that I like New York City and feel like I’ve made it here and you know what they say “If you can make it in New York…..”
2. What motivates you?
What motivates me? Becoming a person that God, my family, my friends and I am proud of. Living a life that is healthy and happy motivates me. When I get to the end of my journey, I want to look back with little regrets and a smile on my face knowing that I lived my life to the fullest and loved as much as I could. I want to be a good friend, a great leader, a strong sister, a kind daughter, and eventually (my mom’s fingers are crossed) a loving wife and mother.
3. Who is a hero of yours?
My parents are my heroes and both for different reasons. It’s funny because as I get older, every day I see each of their influences on me and I am so proud to say that. My Dad has taught me the importance of faith, hard work, and dedication. My Mom has taught me to love unconditionally, preserver, and how to have a good time. They balance each other so well and I’m so thankful to have them. They have always supported me in whatever crazy endeavor I’ve decided to pursue and for that I’ll be forever grateful. My dad and mom continue to push me to achieve my best self. I just hope to become half a great as both of them and hope I make them as proud as they make me. I’d be absolutely nothing without them.
4. What's your future plan? Your goals?
This is such a tough question because it’s similar to the “where do you see yourself in 5 years” question. Had you asked me 5 years ago where I’d see myself in 5 years it’s definitely not where I am now. This is in no way a negative thing. One thing I am really enjoying about growing up is the change it brings. Man, that last statement makes me sound like some wizened old lady which I am definitely not, I am still learning and growing every minute of every day. Each year I grow professionally and personally and my ideas and goals change with it. I’ve learned it’s 100% OK to change your mind as long as it’s what will make you happy. This was such a relief to learn! For the longest time I thought I wanted to work in news but then I did and realized I didn’t want to do that anymore. That’s OK. You aren’t going to be the same person you were at 18 when you’re 28, accept that.
I just hope to continue to grow into the best version of myself. My plan is to follow my dreams and my gut wherever they lead me. My goal is to work hard, treat everyone with respect and treat myself with love and respect. Professionally, I plan to stay in the entertainment industry. Eventually, I see myself working as a talent booker for a television or radio show or working in talent management. I’m a people person and want to continue to work with people and represent them in some format within this crazy industry. I very much enjoy the celebrity angle of my current and previous roles and want to continue on that path. Eventually, I see myself as an executive of a media company running the talent department. Overall, my ultimate goal is to become someone that I am proud of both personally and professionally.
5. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
Realize its ok to make mistakes! I’m often very hard on myself, as many of us are, to be perfect in all aspects of my life. This is not a feasible goal nor is it healthy mentally or physically. In the workplace you will mess something up but that’s how you grow. If you’re always afraid of doing something wrong you’re never going to learn anything or do your best work because you’re constantly going to be fearful of screwing something up. Once you realize you’re bound to make a mistake, like every other human being ever, it makes life that much easier. It’s from my mistakes that I’ve gotten where I am now and how I continue to learn and grow in my position. Without making a mistake I would never learn how to do something right. It’s from my mistakes that I’ve buckled down and motivated myself to never make that same mistake again. It’s ok to mess up, everyone does once in a while, what’s important is that you own up to that mistake and learn from it. Even Beyoncé makes mistakes.
6. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?
Something I believe strongly in, and reflects how I was raised, is treating everyone with respect no matter their positon in life. We are all on different journeys but that doesn’t mean we don’t all deserve the same respect. It’s tough to not get wrapped up in someone’s title, education, looks, monetary worth, etc. but at the end of the day we are all people. This is such an invaluable lesson I’ve learned working in this industry. I’ve met numerous celebrities, executives and business moguls that people would jump at the chance to see. My favorite encounters with said celebrities are with the people who treat me like a person, treat me like I’m no different than them. However, the people that have left the most lasting impressions on me aren’t the celebrities but the people I work with on a daily basis. My peers, my supervisors, my building’s security guards, the health clinic nurses, these are the people I cherish the most. Of course, I realize how blessed I am to be able to do what I do but again at the end of the day we are all human beings. What really matters in life isn’t a title, amount of money, or fame it is the people you love and the relationships you share.
7. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?
Alright, I know I just said that whole thing about celebrities above which I 100% believe but working in the entertainment industry does lead to some crazy stories. One of the coolest things I’ve ever done is work the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Show. My job was to function as a talent escort for any of the talent that were going to be involved in the show and not just the audience. I was designated as the escort for Amy Poehler who is beyond kind and wonderful. I was tasked with getting her to the red carpet, walking her down it and bringing her back up to the studio. In between walking celebrities down the red carpet I stood right outside the studio and watched rehearsals for that evenings show where I saw everyone who is anyone in Hollywood. After the red carpet event ended, I was finished working for the evening and attended the screening party for employees. About a quarter of the way into the show, I stepped away to use the bathroom where I was immediately intercepted by one of my former supervisors. She informed me that I was now a seat filler for the show and to follow her to the studio. I was seat filling for some guests in the back row where I watched Miley Cyrus perform. After Miley finished, the attendees returned to watch. I got up to give them their seats when I was beckoned down to the third row by the same supervisor. She told me to hurry and sit down. Lo and behold I was seat filling for Emma Stone sitting right next to the one and only Bradley Cooper.
I spent the rest of the
evening sitting a finger’s length away from him watching this iconic show. I even had the nerve to ask him questions during commercial breaks which he kindly responded to. Emma Stone came back with 5 minutes left in the broadcast and I ended up in the front row next to another friend and Kevin Nealon. If you watch the broadcast you can actually see me in the front row as Paul Simon finishes his song and the show ends. Honestly, as I’m typing this I still don’t believe it really happened. The show finished and I helped escort out more talent like Kerry Washington and finally went home very late that night. I didn’t sleep a wink.
8. Anything we haven't asked that you'd like to talk about.
Don’t forget to laugh. Read a book. Call your mom. Indulge every once in a while in that bag of candy you always contemplate buying. Write your grandfather a letter. Exercise regularly. Keep a journal. Give someone a hug. Start a 401k. BACK UP YOUR PHONE. Print off pictures and hang them up. Tell people they matter. Tell people you love them. Enjoy life.
If you would like to contact Kaitlin email her HERE.