Galen Newton is a young Iowan who is making it in one of the toughest places to make it in the entire USA. He moved to Hollywood, no job, just a dream to make it in the entertainment business.

Kenzie Sroud is writing about him in an issue of Jobdig. I thought his five tips for how to make it in Hollywood were very good for anyone thinking of making a move like his..

1. Pick the city, then pick the job. Most entertainment companies will only hire locals. So do it while you’re young and remember the farthest you can fall is home.
2. Get over yourself and do the grunt work. Any executive out here will tell you that he or she had to get someone coffee and answer phones at one point in their life. If you’re bright, hard working and willing to pull the hours, you won’t stay entry level for very long.
3. Learn the difference between negotiating and compromising your career goals. I don’t think I know anyone from college who is doing exactly what they wanted to, but I know a lot of people who really love their jobs.
4. Networking is Key. Make contacts with every job you do. The entertainment industry is so small and incestuous; you’re bound to run into someone who can hook you up with another job that fits better into your overall vision for your future.
5. Remember it’s just entertainment. There are a lot of high-strung personalities in this industry who take themselves way to seriously, and I’ve always believed that unless you’re saving lives, there’s no excuse to freak out. No one will die if you make a mistake, so just sit back, relax, do the best you can, and have fun.