Forget the Door. Find the Bridge‪!‬

Novice creatives that want to become professionals are led to believe they need to first "Get their foot in the door" of an industry if they intend to make a living at it. This metaphor suggests creative industries intentionally try to keep new people from getting in. Does that even make sense?

Fostering continued growth and innovation in any field requires constant education, training, and mentoring of new generations of creative professionals. The perception of any barrier to entry is not only discouraging, but it can also make desperate beginners vulnerable to exploitation by self-appointed gatekeepers, undermining standards established over generations by displacing skilled professionals with working amateurs.

The bridge between community and industry is professionalism. Letting go of amateur thinking and embracing professional standards enables novices to become professionals and learn how to make a living.