Full name?: Molly McManus
Position / Job title?: Associate Editor, AW Media
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An actress. I started to do theater in high school, and I found myself to be completely unnatural on stage. I realized I was not cut out for it.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
Writing has always been a passion of mine, but in the past it was only something I did as a hobby. Wanting to work in the entertainment industry, I started interning at Austin Woman magazine (published by AW Media), initially, in their marketing and events department. When I started writing blog posts for them, they realized my talent for writing and started paying me for print articles!
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?
In general, internships are extremely important; at times, more important than your college education. They are ideal for people who don’t know exactly what they want to do and want to try out a couple of things before they commit. I’ve worked many internships—unpaid and paid, and recommend them to anyone who wants hands-on experience. That being said, do not work an internship that has you only doing mundane office work—filing, coffee runs, errands, etc. It’s one thing if you are doing these things in exchange for tangible experience, but it’s another if you are being taken advantage of with no lessons along the way.
I also want to clarify that when you are new somewhere, internship or not, you do need to prove yourself, and so taking on tasks that others are asking of you that are less than glamorous can be a beneficial process in proving you want to be there.
4. Tell us what a typical workday looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?
Seventy-five percent of my day is spent in front of a computer, which I would say is the non-glamorous part. Whether it’s emailing interns, responding to publicity pitches, writing, editing, fact-checking, researching, generating content for the magazines, managing “the grid” for the upcoming issue, I spend a lot of time in front of my computer.
The other 25 percent of the time, I am interviewing subjects for interviews, meeting with the editor-in-chief to discuss potential articles, story ideas, etc., and meeting with the interns on their progress, helping them learn the ropes of the magazine industry.
5. What is the biggest career mistake you’ve ever made?
Not trusting my gut. I was working this awful job, and although I loved the nature of the work, the environment and people proved to not be the right place for me. Without going in to details, I had a bad feeling from the very beginning, but thought I’d power through to gain experience. This gut instinct turned out to be 100 percent right and the job ended badly.
6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
Keep it moving. One of my favorite TAs in college always said this phrase and it has now become my own motto. It means, never become stagnant in what you are doing and keep pushing to the next level. You need to grow, personally and professionally, and in order to do that, you’ve got to keep on moving.
7. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
So important! I over commit with work at times, which causes me stress and anxiety. I’ve learned the power of “No” and when to say it to keep me sane. Although I love staying busy, I am not a workaholic and never want to be one.
So instead of taking on more than I can handle work-wise, I stay busy with spending time with my friends, family, taking trips, writing for myself, running, doing yoga, reading, etc. Being in my 20s, I feel like I can still be selfish with my time through my work and personal life. So although I am constantly doing, it’s all stuff I want to do, and provides a perfect balance between work and personal.
8. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?
I don’t have a family yet, so personally, it’s hard for me to say. I think having a family would really complicate the “balance” I have created for myself. I’m not saying it’s impossible, as millions of women do it, I just can’t fathom it for myself at this point.
9. If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see?
Number 8! Baller career and the happy family. With lots of vacation thrown in.
10. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
The editor-in-chief at Austin Woman. She’s been published every year for the past 40 years and has done so much of what I want to do with my own career. She’s written plays, screenplays and books and has started a couple different magazines. She has a passion for life and she inspires me on a regular basis.
My dad is also a huge career role model for me. He works so hard to provide for my family and has given my siblings and me so much opportunity. He works harder than anyone I know, and although I don’t wish his hours on myself, I still look up to him. He’s taken a lot of different career paths as well, and has had huge success from it, so it gives me hope that I can also take a few different paths, contrary to what a lot of schools/people will tell you.
11. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?
Career-related, it comes in the form of a question: Can you solve it right now in this instant? I stress over a lot of things and my boyfriend asked me this once, and continues to ask me about it. I’ll start talking about something and am clearly stressed, and he asks, “Can you do something about it right now?” If the answer is no, then the action is obvious. Take a deep breath, relax, and come back to the problem tomorrow.
12. Parents love to say, “just wait ’til you have to face the real world…” When you were in college or high school, what did you think the “real world” looked like? What is the difference between what you thought and reality?
I’ve always wanted to be an “adult.” The oldest of four, I thought the “real world” was this awesome place, filled with awesome adults who would finally give me the respect I always thought I deserved. I realize now how awesome I had it, living at home and having food set in front of me every night. My parents paid for everything! What I would do to turn back time…but in seriousness, I love the “real world.” I love being “grown-up” and getting older. I love the process of learning as an adult as I get my footing in the world. I have so much freedom, so much opportunity, and I’m excited to see where each chapter of life takes me.
13. Should you work for the money, or do what you love?
There’s a quote that sums up my feelings about this: Do what you love and the money will follow.
14. How important is money to you when considering a job?
You have to make a living, so it is absolutely important. I’ve also learned that there’s no harm in asking for more, you never know what they might say.
15. What is the single most important factor of a job?
This question: Are you happy? If not, you are wasting your time. Life is too short, so move on to something better.
16. If you married a millionaire and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)
If I married a millionaire, that would only give me more reason to work. I could do ANYTHING! I could start every business idea I ever had. Talk about financial backing! Now if I could only will this to actually happen…
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