We recently connected with Megan Cook and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From an early age, I have been naturally inclined toward creativity. My journey began at family gatherings when I was just two years old, playfully trying on people’s shoes and immersing myself in my imagination. As I progressed through school and took art courses, my passion for creativity deepened. I was fortunate to have supportive parents who recognized my talents; they gifted me a sewing machine to help me pursue my dreams of becoming a fashion designer and transported me to art lessons, nurturing my aspiration to become the next great Picasso. I also developed a love for make-up and special effects.

Throughout my educational journey, my parents have consistently provided for me, ensuring I have the resources to make an impact in any field I choose to explore. Rather than a single defining moment, my artistic career has been shaped by a continual immersion in creativity. I was also blessed with teachers who recognized my potential at a young age and encouraged me to strive for excellence. My innate attraction to creativity remains a guiding force in my life.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I recently engaged in a discussion with a professor regarding several portfolio reviews I had completed. When asked about my career interests, I received mixed feedback. One reviewer appreciated my openness to new experiences, while another suggested that I needed to clarify my goals and concentrate on a specific path. My professor noted an important aspect of creativity that is often misunderstood: creatives have diverse interests and a desire to explore various avenues.
I do not confine myself to a single craft; I paint, draw, and engage in content creation, all while pursuing my studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I am majoring in Business of Beauty and Fragrance. My coursework encompasses business strategy, package design, product design, marketing, and overall brand design.

As I delve deeper into this field, I discover numerous opportunities that were previously unknown to me, complicating my ability to settle on a singular career path. I aspire to be perceived by future employers as someone who embraces challenges and is committed to continuous personal growth. For potential followers, I am simply an individual who enjoys documenting my life and sharing my journey with others. Ultimately, I pursue my passions for my own fulfillment and with the hope of making a positive impact in the world someday.

Have you ever had to pivot?

From a young age, I was a meticulous planner, organizing my days down to the minute, which provided me with a sense of control over my life. Despite my mother’s efforts to encourage a more flexible approach, I managed my existence by the clock. As I progressed through my education, I harbored ambitious dreams and mapped out my plans for the next five years. However, I soon learned that life is inherently unpredictable, and while planning has its merits, it can only go so far.
I aspired to move to New York City—an ambition shared by many. It wasn’t until I was midway through my college experience that several industry professionals advised against this dream, citing the city as overcrowded, overrated, and overly sought after. I vividly recall the heartbreak I felt upon receiving this advice. I even called my mother, expressing that I was experiencing a “mid-life crisis,” to which she chuckled and reassured me that everything would ultimately be alright. In hindsight, her wisdom proved correct.

As I continually encountered similar sentiments about New York, I began to second-guess my aspirations. However, I also received encouragement to pursue my dreams despite the opinions of others. In college, it can be challenging to grasp the full spectrum of opportunities available beyond the campus. Gradually, I became more aware of the world around me and began exploring job prospects in different locales.

When I released the pressure of rigid planning and ceased to panic over deviations from my original path, new opportunities emerged. I realized that altering my dreams was not detrimental; rather, it was a necessary evolution. While New York remains my favorite city, I no longer envision my future solely in its context. Instead, I dream of discovering what brings me joy and exploring new avenues that lead me to personal fulfillment.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Initially, I believed that selecting a college major would establish a linear career path, compelling me to adhere strictly to the trajectory I had chosen. However, for those of us in creative fields, life is anything but linear. Many artists frequently transition between jobs, not due to an inability to maintain a position, but rather because our interests are diverse and expansive. I have observed that individuals outside the creative sphere often pursue a more linear life path. While there is certainly nothing amiss with this approach, it can lead to a degree of skepticism or misunderstanding toward artists due to our differing journeys.

I perceive life as a continuous cycle of learning and strive to expose myself to a wide array of opportunities. For those who identify as non-creative, I would encourage an open-minded approach—consider trying something outside your comfort zone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katcook1105.wixsite.com/megancook
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megann_cook11/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megancook1105/
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/megann_cook11/
  Art Instagram: https://instagram.com/art.elevation/