Taking the First Step: #Going Extramile
Sometimes, finding an opportunity is not the hardest part; having the confidence to approach someone and ask for it is. I realised this while completing my Extramile activity, where I decided to approach Askolay, a creative and communication agency in Faisalabad.
Since I have an interest in content writing, storytelling and creative communication, I wanted to learn how these skills are used in a professional environment. Before reaching out, I explored the organisation’s work, looked into its services and prepared my CV and cover letter. I also practised a short introduction so I could explain my background and interests without making the conversation sound too rehearsed.
Get Hashma Shahzad Ahmad’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
One challenge I anticipated was approaching the organisation without a prior appointment. I wasn’t sure whether I would get the chance to speak with someone from the relevant team or how I should introduce myself. I decided to focus on being clear about why I was there rather than overthinking their response.
I was particularly interested in speaking with someone from the content and strategy team to understand how they develop ideas for different audiences. Through my experience with Founders Syndicate, I have learned that creating content is not just about writing attractive captions. For instance, a social media post promoting a startup needs an interesting hook, but it also needs to communicate the actual idea clearly.
This made me curious about how professional creative teams balance originality with the objectives of a client or campaign.
If I were to do this activity again, I would prepare a small portfolio of my previous work and develop more specific questions about the content industry. I would also try to arrange a meeting beforehand instead of relying on a walk-in visit.
The experience reminded me that professional growth often begins with small steps. Sometimes, we just need to stop waiting until we feel completely ready and give ourselves the chance to try.
