"Don't Let the Fear of Rejection Stop You."

Written by Abby Power

January 13th, 2023

Why do we let the fear of rejection stop us from achieving whatever we want to do in life? If there was no such thing as the ‘fear of rejection,’ where would you be right now? One might say that they would currently be working their dream job.

Becca Flynn is currently a marketing coordinator for Fan Expo, and graduated from the Music Business Management program at Durham College in 2017. Since her graduation, she has worked for various companies and has held many job titles, such as a customer relations advisor and an events coordinator.

Growing up, Becca Flynn read comic books, watched horror films, and listened to rock music. She first aspired to become a producer when she first started the Music Business Management program in 2014. Throughout her time in the program, Becca found a love for communications, although it was not on her radar. “My third year in the program was very beneficial,” she stated. Becca began grant writing in her final year in the program, after making the choice to write one for another student within the program. “It is tough, but you create long lasting relationships... Rock music is big for me. I have written grants for rock artists, so it is also a personal reward, but it is important to remember that you are doing it for someone's benefit.” Becca followed through with her career in communications, which led her to more exciting opportunities. “It is so rewarding. You feel the excitement, from the brand side to the fan side. It opens your eyes, and gives you satisfaction.”

In July of 2022, Becca applied for two jobs at Fan Expo, her dream company. “I knew that if I didn’t apply, I would have felt so terrible.” After submitting an application, Becca received a call back within a week’s worth of time, and later found herself as a marketing coordinator for Fan Expo. “This is my dream job,” she stated. “[My experience with Fan Expo] has been so rewarding, you can really feel the excitement.” She expressed that she had cried after receiving the call and got started at her new job right away. “[At Fan Expo,] we are all like-minded creatives and extremely passionate fans. This is the warmest perception I've had in a job that’s collaborative.”

When asked about the advice that she would give to someone who fears the rejection from their dream job or company, Becca stated: “Don't let the fear of rejection stop you, you have to pursue the things you love even if it's just for yourself. Don't make yourself digestible for other people... If you're passionate about something, fall in love with what you want to do.”

Becca Flynn expressed that she had “a great time within the Music Business Management program.” The program allowed Becca to get out of her comfort zone, become a better leader, and a better creative then what she was leaning into at the time. “I'm still in touch with a lot of the professors,” she said, “these individuals are valuable connections, and these people will have your back. I’ve talked to Kathryn Waugh about my experience with Fan Expo in my current position, she was very happy for me. I've learned so much by being in that program.” Becca has been able to use the skills that she gained while being in the Music Business Management program, and use them actively in her current job position. “My job has opportunities where I have to be right there moving around. I've learned how to become more chill in the same space as celebrities. [The skills] show you how to reveal the human in [the celebrities]. There is a lot of group work, and I know not a lot of people like group work, but the personal collaboration within the group is valuable communication. It is vital to work as a unit so that things run smoothly. It is important to lean on others, and [these skills] teach you how to properly lean on someone when you know that they have something that you lack.”

Becca concluded by stating that “you don't have to know what you want to know the skills that you learn. It is okay to change your path, it is okay to be a nerd for money. you will come out of that program understanding the entertainment industry, although it is geared towards music.” Becca expressed that she would be happy to talk to anyone who had any questions about the program or about her current position as a marketing coordinator at Fan Expo. She encourages everyone to “find what you love, and run with it.”