Next Steps: Strategies for Earning and Planning

This approach is broken into short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies to help you earn income now, build new skills over time, or make a larger career shift. Use what fits your situation best. You might only need one type of strategy, or you may find yourself using all three over time — there’s no one right path.

Why Use Short, Mid, and Long Term Strategies?

Career transitions can be overwhelming especially when they’re unplanned. Having a strategy can help reduce stress and create clarity. This approach breaks things down into manageable steps based on time and urgency:

Short-term strategies help you meet immediate financial needs.
Mid-term strategies give you time to build skills or credentials.
Long-term strategies support bigger shifts toward new roles or careers.

Each type of strategy serves a different purpose, and not everyone will need to use all three. Some people just need short-term work to stay afloat. Others may be ready to pursue longer-term plans. Many will combine all three over time.

Using this structure helps you:

Take action even if you don’t have a full plan yet
Prioritize based on what’s most urgent or achievable
Avoid burnout by focusing on what’s possible right now
Build toward more sustainable or fulfilling options in the future

Short – Earn Now

Short-term strategies are immediate income options. These are ideal if you need work right away with minimal training or setup. They’re not meant to be permanent, but they can help stabilize your finances while you make longer-term plans. These can be both within and outside the entertainment industry.

Examples include:

Gig platforms (TaskRabbit, Handy, Rover, etc.)
Industry-related temp work with a staffing company (event, staging, catering/hospitality)
Non-industry-related temp work with a staffing company
Freelance work
Remote customer service or administrative support
Substitute teaching / teacher’s aide
Caregiving

Why it matters:
Short-term work offers fast relief, flexibility, and income. It also gives you time to think, plan, and explore other options without the pressure of having everything figured out.

Mid – Skill Up and Explore

Mid-term strategies usually take a few days to several months. These focus on building your skills, expanding your network, and opening new doors without the time or financial commitment of a full career change.

Examples include:

Industry-recognized certifications (e.g., OSHA 30, project management, IT, HR)
Online learning platforms and community college courses
Paid apprenticeships, internships, or workforce development programs
Union training or skill-building resources
Seek informational interviews to learn more from someone in a field you are interested in and their journey. You’ll find people very open to sharing.

Why it matters:
Mid-term steps help you grow without overcommitting. They’re a chance to test new interests, increase your earning potential, or strengthen your resume for future work.

Long – Redefine Your Path

Long-term strategies are about building something new. They take more time and planning, but they can lead to stability, fulfillment, and a sense of direction that fits the life you are building.

Examples include:

Earning a degree (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s)
Attending a trade school/program
Starting your own business or creative project
Seeking professional coaching, career counseling, or mentorship
Participating in fellowships, apprenticeships, or grant-supported programs

Why it matters:
If you’re ready to move into a new field or shift the focus of your career, long-term strategies provide the foundation. They support lasting change — whether that’s inside or outside the entertainment industry.

Here are some tools to help with taking the first steps

Behind the Scenes Foundation makes no representations or warranty whatsoever, either expressed or implied, regarding any information or advice provided by this training. In no event shall Behind the Scenes Foundation be liable to you or anyone else for any decision or action taken in reliance on information provided by this training.