It’s every girl’s dream to embody their favorite female TV show/movie character that radiates confidence, and leaves a striking impression on people wherever they go. 

For example, someone like Maddie Perez from Euphoria with her iconic attitude and style. Or Elle Woods from Legally Blonde with her unmatched determination and sharp wit. Last but definitely not least, Cher Horowitz from Clueless with her desirable compassion and unforgettable ‘it girl’ energy. 

One thing in common about all of these women is they don’t wait for permission. They show up fully, and own their presence. 

It’s important for every impressionable young woman to be exposed to ‘main character energy’ to inspire them to be the kind of person they want to be. Every young woman should find themselves and gain confidence in every facet of their lives, especially their careers. 

Their marketing careers, to be exact.

The Quiet Truth

Exposing the quiet (but not so quiet) truth: There are downsides to an early marketing career that can be discouraging. It can also lead to a lack of confidence in the future.

For example, let’s face it. The marketing field is very oversaturated. The digital marketing space in particular is crowded, making entry-level roles highly competitive. The number of entry-level marketing listings dropped 8.6%.

It also causes more pressure when people find their dream jobs, while others struggle to find anything they can get their hands on.

It also involves the typical never-ending interview process, then getting a response reading out the infamous words, ‘We’ve decided to go a different direction.’ And sometimes, there will be no response at all.

This alone, can drive an aspiring marketing girly’s confidence into the ground. Another downside is the detriments of creating visibility when it comes to gaining marketing experience. 

Creating visibility can feel overwhelming, especially when just starting out. Launching a website, sharing a post on social media, etc. calls for all types of feedback. While some comments can be constructive and help marketers in the long run, others can be just plain cruel. 

Some people make it their mission to ruin someone else’s day with a mean comment. With that being said, it’s hard to ignore negative criticism. It can take up a lot of headspace and negatively impact how one views themselves and their brand.

Lack of Confidence Doesn’t Mean Lack of Skill

In any career path, putting oneself out in the world vulnerable to judgement and criticism, is not for the weak. It also cannot be ignored that it is especially hard for the girly’s, considering women are consistently held to society’s brutal standards. 

Women are socialized to believe that visibility and taking up space can be improper or even at times, unsafe. This can cloud judgment on when it is appropriate to speak up or ask questions, and it may lead to missed opportunities or learning lessons. 

These challenges can negatively shape confidence, which can ultimately shape the marketing experience. However, this says far more about the environment, than about the individual. If there is one thing to take from this article, it is lack of confidence does NOT mean lack of skill. 

In situations where confidence is low, it is so important to look inwards, and think about past achievements, good attributes, and passions. 

Remembering this, is the first step to channeling the ‘main character energy.’ Creating a clear path creates stability, which can induce more confidence.

Get In Tune With Yourself as A Marketer

All of the classic “it girl’ characters portrayed on TV don't just walk the walk, they talk the talk. They know they don’t just have the looks, they have the attitude that shouts to the world that they know their worth. This applies to careers, and how one should portray themselves professionally.

Mentoring programs in the workplace have been found to increase confidence in a job position. 97.5% of Fortune 500 companies have mentorship programs. 90% of mentored employees report being happy at work.

However, building true confidence begins with self reflection. Aspiring marketing girlys getting in tune with personal strengths, interests and past achievements can bring clarity to what the next steps are. 

Looking back at past projects, internships, freelance work, etc. helps uncover patterns in how marketing experience is taking shape. Even if there isn’t a whole lot of experience, EVERYTHING still matters.

These experiences highlight strengths such as strategic thinking, creativity, or community building. Even small wins contribute to meaningful marketing experience. Growth comes from consistent action instead of waiting until ready.

Identifying passion is also crucial. Whether it is brand marketing, content creation, analytics, it's important to know what feels exciting. This allows work to feel more intentional and authentic.

Marketing experience becomes more than a line on a resume. It becomes a reflection of personal values and creative direction. 

Build a Community 

With every “it girl’ comes her loyal posse. Her status is validated when she has her group she can depend on. While the setting is fictional, the takeaway is real. Community shapes credibility and confidence.

If there is anything to know about a classic 2000’s chick flick, confidence does not form completely in isolation. This applies to early marketing careers.

It is often shaped through building a community. Engaging with others who offer encouragement, perspective, advice and understanding. When just starting out in a marketing career, people want to help! 

To be a good networker, offer services to people, show what can be brought to the table. Being a part of a supportive network allows marketers to ask questions without fear of judgement, share ideas, and learn through experience.

These interactions help normalize uncertainty and remind individuals that growth is not linear. In these spaces, marketing experience is strengthened through feedback and exposure to different perspectives.

Also, surrounding oneself with peers who are actively building their careers fosters motivation and confidence.  Over time, the sense of belonging and authority will build. 

Redefining What ‘Ready’ Looks Like

The steps being written out to becoming more confident and channeling inner ‘main character energy’ seems a lot easier said than done.

Be prepared to make mistakes. In marketing, progress often comes from doing the work before certainty sets in. Confidence doesn't always signal competence and competence doesn’t require complete confidence. 

Confidence is mistaken for ability. Skill is built through curiosity and questioning. This detail matters especially for early marketers. Waiting to feel fully ready before taking action can slow growth and potential opportunities.

Not even the iconic ‘it girl’ characters had all the answers. If these girls were perfect in every way, there wouldn’t be a good plot to the movie/TV show. There is a sense of comfort in knowing everyone is learning as they go and no one is perfect. As cliche as it sounds, it’s true.

🪽 Written by Molly Herschell