How I Got Here: The NGV’s Corporate Partnerships Officer on pushing past imposter syndrome

“Take up any experience you can, and apply for those roles you think are unattainable. Don’t be afraid to try new opportunities. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While the internet and social media might have us believe that our ideal job is a mere pipe dream, the individuals who have these jobs were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.

But behind the awe-inspiring titles and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?

Looking for a new 9 to 5? Head to our Careers page for new listings daily. 

Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to women who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.

This week we speak to the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Corporate Partnerships Officer, Cassandra Liassos. With a background in marketing and graphic design, Cassandra worked her way up through the fashion and trend forecasting world before making the move into her current role at the NGV, a job she describes as being “truly the best job for me”.

Along the way, she’s battled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome and has learnt that being an introvert in an industry that expects you to be extroverted isn’t always easy, but there’s always a way through. Here’s what she learnt along the way.

What do you do and what’s your official job title?

I’m a Corporate Partnerships Officer at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). I work within the wonderful partnerships team and my role involves managing meaningful brand collaborations across NGV’s exhibitions, events and programs.

Take us back to when you were first starting out. Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start out with an internship/entry-level role and climb the ladder? Tell us the story.

I have always loved creativity – be it performing arts, dance or art – so coming out of high school, I knew I really wanted to pursue a career in this realm. I dove straight into a double degree at Swinburne University of Technology, studying for a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and a Bachelor of Design (Communication). At the time, Swinburne was the only university offering a double degree of this nature. I was always told that business and design were best buds, and if it meant one more additional year of study to achieve both degrees, then why not? I was at university for five years before finally completing my studies in 2018.

During this time, I was also lucky enough to secure an internship in graphic design at the dancewear brand Energetiks. This was a great fit for me, as I was able to merge my personal hobby of dance with my studies. Finding a stepping stone with a brand you love or an area of interest is super important and makes showing up so much easier. This internship was my first time working in a corporate environment. I was then fortunate to also gain another graphic design internship with Fashion Journal – I really wanted to amp up my work experience within my final year of study.

Post graduation, Energetiks offered me a full-time role as a Junior Graphic Designer, and after two years of working in-house, I realised I missed being customer-facing. I really loved working with people and considered moving to the agency side before opting to explore a more business-focused role. An exciting opportunity popped up at WGSN, a platform that I would often use in my previous role and had always admired. I actually had a friend who worked there at the time who referred me.

Although WGSN was a step away from graphic design, it was customer-facing and still incorporated a creative lens. I thoroughly enjoyed working in fashion retail and felt this role would be the perfect next step in my career; I got to work with many of Australia’s biggest fashion and lifestyle brands, supporting them on trend strategy and implementation. I worked as a Client Success Specialist and an Account Manager, and at the time, it was my dream job. After three years at WGSN, I felt I wanted to support a local institution and continue to challenge myself. Then, my current role at NGV popped up, and it’s safe to say it truly is the best job for me. NGV represents me and all that I value, it is incredible that all of my experiences led me here. 

What challenges/hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now? Can you tell us about one in particular?

Imposter syndrome! Although I always surround myself in an encouraging and supportive circle, self-doubt has always crept up on me. In the past, I constantly felt like I wasn’t good enough or didn’t have the appropriate experience. I guess with social networking platforms like LinkedIn, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others.

Also, I do not love public speaking! I’m naturally more introverted, so I’ve really had to work on my public speaking and confidence throughout my career. Most of my roles have required some sort of public speaking. However, although I have now spoken at many events, I am still trying to improve my enthusiasm for public speaking today. 

What do you want people to know about your industry/your role?

Engaging in partnerships is multifaceted, very dynamic and fast-paced – no two days are ever the same. The arts industry is also an incredibly rewarding space to work in. I collaborate with equally passionate people together on a collective purpose. Everyone is so committed and driven. It’s so inspiring!

What’s the best part about your role?

Working with extremely talented people! I feel very lucky to be part of such a dedicated, hard-working and like-minded team. I also get to learn about the work of the world’s most prolific artists and other experts and academics in the arts and culture industry. By virtue of the job, I get the benefit of learning so many things. Also, the diversity of my work expectations and the opportunity to influence through impactful partnerships.

What would surprise people about your role?

The blend of creativity, strategic thinking and problem-solving. And I guess the level of cross-disciplinary collaboration. While one might expect this role to primarily interact with marketing and media teams, it often involves working closely with curators, artists, exhibition designers, programming teams and many more. These collaborations foster a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, and it’s how we’re able to build truly unique and impactful partnerships that resonate with audiences. Oh, and you don’t have to be an extrovert to succeed in a customer-facing role!

What skills have served you well in your industry?

Definitely people skills – relationship building and networking. Being curious and staying up to date on all the things, including industry news, pop culture and social media. Also, the associated interest within the field has served me very well!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?

You have to put yourself out there to get what you want and continuously develop into the role you want to have. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen eventually. Your passion, dedication and purpose will serve you well. Take up any experience you can, and apply for those roles you think are unattainable. Don’t be afraid to try new opportunities. What’s the worst that could happen? If you fail, always ask for feedback, it’s key to understanding how you can improve for next time. So, so valuable!

Also, ensure you take time to rest and recharge. Working in partnerships can get super busy and quite demanding – lots of early mornings, late nights and many events. I’ve found carving out a personal routine of exercise and planning my social calendar in advance has really helped me not only perform better in my role but also ensure I’m looking after my mental wellbeing. Knowing I have something to look forward to outside of work means I’m able to switch off and have a good balance.

What about a practical tip?

Build a strong network, and always ask questions!

Read the rest of the How I Got Here series here.

Looking to step up to a career in media? Each week we send a wrap of industry jobs straight to your inbox. Enter your details below and we’ll keep you in the loop, or browse current openings here.