One of the many perks of my job is the Masterclass subscription that we convinced my boss to get for us.
We love a workplace that encourages further growth and professional development. 🤗✨
I was interested in Masterclass as a less time consuming, short-term alternative to taking a college course or certification. I’m also a sucker for a good advertisement and Instagram has been bombarding me with ads for months.
A few weeks ago I asked on my story if any of you had tried Masterclass and if so, what classes you recommend I try. Here were the replies:
I started with Anna Wintour’s Creativity and Leadership lesson. I’m a firm believer that you can glean information from anyone or anything whether it directly applies to you or not. So while I’m not in the fashion industry, I know I can learn A LOT from her success as a trailblazer in fashion and journalism. Plus, I never really knew her story (or personality) outside of her being the inspiration for Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. It was really captivating learning more of her upbringing and professional foundation that made her the icon she is today.
When I saw Kris Jenner’s Power of Personal Branding Masterclass pop on my feed I was…intrigued. She’s been lauded for the role she plays as Momager for her family and I was interested to learn exactly what that entails. I’m a passive observer of the Kardashians. Their rise to fame was a focal point of most pop culture content during my preteens. But something (i.e. culture and socioeconomic status) about them never really allowed me to connect deeply and fall into the superfan (or super hater) category.
On the other hand, Levar Burton’s Masterclass was a pot of gold! (get it? Reading Rainbow…pot of gold…😅) He’s one of those famous Black figures that everyone loves but doesn’t talk about that often for some reason. Nonetheless, Reading Rainbow and Between the Lions were highlights of my entire childhood so I turned it on for nostalgia's sake and he did not disappoint. He shared so many gems on how to connect with an audience, perform when speaking to a crowd, and find value in what we do as storytellers. 10/10 would definitely recommend.
The list goes on. I watched Spike Lee, Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae. If you want to know more about any of these, let me know! I’m that classmate that shares her notes 👩🏽💻🥂.
Outside of the recommendations y’all gave, one of the classes I absolutely had to take was from my fave Elaine Welteroth. I discovered Elaine back in 2019 when I read her book More Than Enough. (Watch my review of it on Youtube) That book is a favorite of mine to this day. Her Masterclass is the capstone of those teachings. It’s all about unlocking your ✨ Zone of Genius ✨
She defines a Zone of Genius as “that sweet spot at the intersection of your passions, your talents, your skills, and your values.”
One element of Masterclass I didn't expect was the class materials that accompany the lectures. During her class, Elaine guides us through mapping out our career and provides actually examples of how she's planned hers— and materials to help you do yours.
You begin by listing your passions, your talents, your skills, and your values. Once you’ve collected those pillars, it’s time to find your lane(s). What I really align with is the fact that you don’t need to confine yourself to just one. Write out a list of any possible gig you want to do that line up with the pillars you identified in the beginning.
Then you map it all out. "Connect each bucket circle to a smaller circle that more precisely describes the type of project you’re aiming for—a specific project, job, or gig."
The end will look something like this. But this is just the beginning. With this framework, you now have a roadmap to guide your path as you pursue your dreams. I find tools like this helpful when you're unsure of what decision to make or need to get back on track. First pray, then reference resources like this to help light your path. Of course there's more work to do and she gets further into that as well. From drafting a bomb a$$ resume to how to hire a team.
All in all, if you've been debating whether or not to getting a Masterclass subscription I'd encourage it. Just remember you reap what you sow. 🕊