5 Films And TV Shows To Inspire You To Find Your Career Purpose
Finding your career purpose is a transformative journey, full of challenges, self-discovery, and epiphanies. For millennial women, the pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling career is not just about financial stability but also about aligning professional life with personal passions and values.
According to a 2024 report from TeamStage, the millennial workforce has a higher percentage of working women than any previous generation, representing 72 percent. Additionally, 55% of millennial professionals, overall, report not being “engaged,” at work, pointing to a challenge related to career fulfillment.
Finding your purpose and a career path that aligns can be a challenging task. If watching a few good films or TV shows is one of your favorite pastimes, especially as a relief from work stress or unfulfillment, there’s a world of career inspiration to be drawn from your favorite streaming platform. Here are a few inspiring picks:
Shirley, Netflix
This film tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first to seek the nomination for U.S. president from a major party. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district for seven terms. The film also captures her unwavering dedication to public service and fierce passion for equality and justice. For millennial women in political or legal fields, this is the perfect film to inspire career purpose.
Chisholm’s story is a testament to the power of determination and the impact one woman can make by staying true to their convictions. For millennial women navigating their career paths, her resilience and courage offer a profound source of inspiration. Her ability to break barriers and challenge the status quo reminds us that our career purpose can extend beyond personal achievement to drive meaningful change in the world.
The Morning Show, Apple TV
When your job poses ethical challenges and intense stress, how do you continue to walk in your career purpose? The Morning Show focuses on the world of television while shining a light on the complexities of professional integrity and ambition n a competitive industry.
Standing up for our values and walking authentically in our career purpose can be tough, but some of the most important work we will do. The more authentic and aligned we are in our careers, the greater success we will find.
Start-Up, Netflix
Start-Up is a South Korean T.V. series that dives into the often-tumultuous world of tech. Set in the fictional Silicon Valley of South Korea, Sandbox, the show follows Seo Dal-mi – an ambitious young entrepreneur with dreams of being the next Steve Jobs.
Start-Up is a rich source of inspiration, showcasing the importance of creativity, teamwork, and perseverance in the face of adversity. With an emphasis on the challenges and triumphs of starting a business, there is an underlying message that failure is often a stepping stone to success. Watching the lead dream big, take risks, and find support in her professional endeavor serves as an important reminder that the path to finding purpose in our careers is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Hacks, HBO Max
Building relationships with mentors and colleagues that inspire you to learn and grow can be vital components in finding your career purpose. Hacks on HBO Max drives that message home by following the unlikely partnership between a legendary comedian and a young, hopeful writer. It offers a refreshing perspective on the importance of resilience, adaptability, and learning from our colleagues.
With an experienced comedian desperate to remain relevant and an inexperienced writer struggling to find her voice in a competitive industry, Hacks addresses both ends of the career-struggle spectrum. Highlighting the value of collaboration and the transformative power of embracing new challenges, this show will inspire you to pursue your truest career aspirations. Plus, maybe you’ll try a bit harder to befriend some coworkers along the way.
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop, Netflix
Women who work in a space dominated by men, please stand up. Ladies First is a powerful documentary celebrating the trailblazing women who have shaped and revolutionized the hip-hop industry. Through personal stories, old footage, and honest interviews, this one-season docuseries highlights the impact of women artists who have broken barriers and redefined hip-hop.
For women, this documentary serves as an inspiring testament to the strength and determination required to carve out a space in a field largely dominated by men. The series yells, “Make your mark in whatever industry you choose – no matter what.”