Heather Roan is a UNT Alum (2019) working at Skybound Animation in Los Angeles. She is interested in connecting with graduating students who are interested in animation and may want guidance on entering the industry. Reach out to Heather on Mean Green Mentors, and read on to find out more about her journey.
Thanks so much for offering mentorship to current students. How have mentors helped you in the past, and how did you meet them?
Heather Roan: The animation industry (and entertainment industry) is all about “who you know.” My best mentorship experiences have been with people who share their knowledge as well as introduce you to others in their networks. These experiences give you the chance to make connections when you’re starting out and learn about other roles you might not have known about before.
I found my mentors through programs like Women in Animation who help highlight and support women and non-binary folks in the industry. I’ve also had luck cold-messaging people on LinkedIn. It doesn’t always work, but people are generally kind and happy to help. I hope to grow the number of folks from UNT in the animation industry so that it’s easier for graduating students to find opportunities and community!
One of the biggest challenges of entering an industry is getting that first experience under your belt. Do you have any tips or strategies on how to break through that barrier?
Heather: Talk to people! Make friends! Most networking doesn’t happen at official networking events. Your friends are always going to recommend you first for jobs, even over people who are better qualified, because they believe in you and want you to succeed. Make as many friends as possible and be sure to also put them up for opportunities when you have the chance.
Especially in entertainment, don’t be afraid to take a job that might not be your perfect match as a catapult to meet people, and always tell others what your goals are. You never know who they might know and you will learn helpful skills for when you DO land the job you want.
What are your top five tools when it comes to professional development (job search/networking/organization/etc)?
Heather:
- Networking! Talking to people! (As I’ve mentioned above)
- LinkedIn – an easy way to see how people got to where they are and a low-stakes way to connect
- Persistence/ Patience – Once you have someone’s contact, reach out to them every few months. Ask them about their projects and don’t be discouraged if they don’t reply the first time– people get busy and don’t ignore you on purpose. Try again!
- Show up! If you get invited to support your friends, go and support them! Be present for their wins and they will be excited back when you win!
- Taking notes. After you meet with someone new, jot down a few things you learned about them. They will be impressed when you follow up and can ask deeper questions than just “how are you?”
You are currently the Executive Coordinator on INVINCIBLE for Amazon Prime at Skybound Animation in Los Angeles. When looking back, what were some significant moments or decisions that led you to where you are now?
Heather: While at UNT, I was always a big fan of animation, but didn’t realize it was a career path until after graduation. During the pandemic, I decided it was now or never and moved to LA to pursue my dreams of working in animation, despite not being “qualified” on paper. I’ve found along the way that many people have similar stories, and the worst thing you can do is say no to yourself before anyone else can. Job-specific skills can always be learned; it’s your dedication and determination that matter the most.
Have you been in a situation where you advocated for yourself at work? If so, what did you communicate and what was the outcome?
Heather: It’s easy to feel like you can’t advocate for yourself when you’re just thankful to have a job in a notoriously unstable industry. The problem is that if you don’t advocate for yourself and your role, you are harming the other people who will come after you or seeking similar roles by accepting less than you’re worth.
The main lesson I’ve learned is that people appreciate when you set boundaries. You don’t do your coworkers any favors when you try to do it all. Especially in a growing company, it’s critical to communicate what you can and cannot do, as well as what you need to be good at YOUR job. Sometimes, that means hiring another person, or taking a step back from something, even though you have the right skills to do it.
What do you wish you knew while in school that you know now?
Heather: One thing that takes time to fully understand is that everyone in animation has a different path of how they got here and where they are going. There is no one way to achieve your goals, and the best thing you can do is seize the opportunities that come your way, and lean into what you love to do.
Another thing to keep in mind is that unfortunately for most people, opportunity and privilege are correlated. While things have improved significantly thanks to the advocacy of individuals and organizations, it’s still a culture shock once you see it first hand. The best thing you can do is talk to people, make friends, and try not to compare yourself to others (easier said than done of course). Where are you compared to 3 years ago? Celebrate your wins and challenge yourself to succeed at what you can control.
What would you like current students to ask you about?
Heather: Current students can ask me about anything regarding the animation industry such as breaking in, what the day-to-day looks like, and what skills are needed to succeed. I’m always happy to chat and give students a helping hand so to speak, especially if they are interested in moving to Los Angeles- which is a whole other beast! I’m excited to have more Eagles in LA!
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