Laura: “Connections Are What Really Run the World”
To get to where you want to be going in life, you’re going to need some help along the way, whether that’s from friends, romantic partners, or professional opportunities. Success comes from a lot of hard work, but making the right connections is essential as well.
Few people know that better than Laura Fernández, a travel journalist who works with major publications like National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler, as well as on her personal travel blog, Meridiano 180.
Laura explained to us how her connections really helped her take her career to the next level. Here’s what she had to say!
OK, first question — what’s your name, what do you do, et cetera — your standard introduction!
I’m Laura Fernández. Based on my name, I could be anyone! Actually, if you do a search on Google I might be a gorgeous model or actress.
I’m sorry, that’s not me. I’m the travel journalist. The freelancer who went to live in Barcelona only to end up working in her pajamas from her overcrowded flat.
(Laughs). Well, being a travel journalist sounds pretty cool! How did you end up doing that?
I work as a travel journalist thanks to my blog, Meridiano 180. My former boss gave me the website so I could learn how to use Wordpress and learn SEO. He knew that if I was writing about what I really liked, then I’d be interested in learning outside of office hours. He was right!
Even though it’s small and pretty personal, it’s been useful as a portfolio to show to magazines. After six years of writing, my opportunity finally came.
What was that opportunity?
A friend who worked at a publishing house gave me the contact for someone at Conde Nast Traveler. The lead editor liked my blog and gave me the chance to work with them.
Wow! But that’s not the only time something like that has happened to you right?
Right. The second chance I got was thanks to a friend I used to work with in Madrid. He knew the director for Viajar magazine, so he gave me his contact information and I had a meeting with him.
Then at Viajes, by National Geographic, I got an in thanks to a friend who worked for them. He plays football with my current boss. When the boss said that he was looking for a contributor for their website, my friend mentioned me. He put us in touch and we’re still working together.
Had you been trying to become a travel journalist for a long time?
Up until 2015, I’d spent years trying, ever since I’d graduated university, but I wasn’t successful. My blog and my friends have opened doors for me, and they stopped me from leaving the profession when nobody wanted to hire me as a writer.
Meridiano 180 gave me the opportunity to meet people in the sector. It’s also great for starting new projects. Some of them flopped along the way, but new ones always come up.
Like what?
There’s a group of five of us who all have blogs and we’re creating a website about travel aimed at girls. It’s to talk about questions female travelers have like if a country is safe to visit if you go with a group of girls, the type of clothing you should take to different countries you visit — things that we ask too. It’s called Go Chicas Go and it’s going to be ready soon.
It sounds like making connections has been key for your career. Do you think you’re an exceptional case?
I think connections are what really run the world, and our lives. Everyone you met along the way has something to offer you, sometimes in an unexpected way. If it’s not that person, it’ll be friends of their friends — and you’re already much closer to the people who can help you achieve your goals.
It’s not just about helping people either; in the world of journalism, you’re nobody without contacts.
Want to connect make the connections you need to take your life to the next level like Laura? Join Physem for free today! Download the app on the iOS App Store and Android Google Play.
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-The Physem Team
