How Working at “The Key Talent” Changed My Life - Interview to Meche Amaya

 For as long as she can remember, 29-year-old Meche Amaya has always been passionate about Marketing. Although she earned a degree in Human Resources, deep down, she knew what her dream job was. After graduating from university, she became part of the HR department staff from a company, in which she gained experience and knowledge that she continues to apply into her everyday life. Yet, she wanted more. Her next step as a graduate was to continue her educational path and pursue what she cherished the most: marketing. Obtaining a master’s degree, Meche began working in the creative sector in Madrid, Spain. More specifically, at “The Key Talent,” a multinational company that generates social media campaigns to help the human resources departments from worldwide businesses to attract future candidates for their department. 

Working five years in the company now, Amaya feels like she made the best choice, despite the challenges that come when deciding to dedicate one’s life to the creative industry. “I have indeed faced some issues, especially with clients that do not want to think outside of the box and think that my ideas are `too out of one’s mind.’ But what actually affects me the most is when people do not acknowledge that being a creative person is not as simple as it seems,” Amaya stated. “With technology, everyone can do what I do. But it is unquestionably not the same. An App does not go through the same complex process of genuinely creating approaches towards capturing people’s attention. But a person who loves what they create and is extremely passionate and eager to find ways to be different and unique… can do it,” she added with an enthusiastic tone.  

Indeed, working in the creative industry is frequently criticized and even looked down on by others. Nonetheless, as discussed in Can Creative Labour Be Good, it brings multiple benefits to a nation's economy and its awareness of culture. Simultaneously, it uplifts employees' motivations to express their artistic and creative side to the whole extent. "These creative jobs have been presented by policy-makers and other commentators as desirable not only because of their economic benefits but also because they supposedly offer greater fulfillment and self-actualization than other kinds of work." (Hesmondhalgh and Baker, 2011, p.5). When asked Amaya if she considered creativity an indispensable factor in her job, she stated: "Undoubtedly! My team and I create the company's social media campaigns that we all put a lot of thought into... if we would not actually put our highest energy and make it remarkably detailed and visually aesthetic for the intended audiences, they would not be as successful as they regularly are…  and the company's numbers would definitely drop." 

Her statements were an eye-opener; it undoubtedly made me realize the importance and weight behind those who work nonstop to bring to life creative initiatives, and often, how people continue to overlook their effort, including their incredible talents and abilities. As a Communications and Marketing student myself, I will be entering this world shortly. For that reason, I was curious to know what advice an employee from the creative industry had for me - and anyone interested to join the creative work world any time soon. Amaya´s response was: “To explore.. Explore a lot. If you have the opportunity to travel, do not think twice. Expose yourself to different cultures, ideologies, and attitudes, so you are open-minded. In the end, if you do not explore enough, or look for new things or search for new ideas and types of thinking, it will be harder to be creative. Trust in yourself and your capabilities. Start doing! Start producing!” 

References 

Hesmondhalgh, D., & Baker, S. (2011). Creative labour: Media work in three cultural industries. In Creative labour: media work in three cultural industries (pp. 1–10). introduction, Routledge.