By: Kristina Anderson, Barbizon International

Getting ready to take a leap into local modeling or acting? That’s great! Whether you’re booking jobs to make some after school cash or just wanting  to make new friends while doing something fun, the industry is full of opportunities. Think you should only get started if you want to be a model and actor your whole life? Guess again!

Here are the top five ways that modeling (or acting) in your youth can help you be successful later in life, no matter what you want to do.

5 – Gain Real Work Experience
Modeling jobs are real experience. While booking a job is dependent on many factors (including your market, client preferences, etc.), doing well at a job is up to you. A modeling gig is a way to build your resume, see what it’s like to work with a team and many more values that employers in every industry want to see.

4 – The Value Of Being On Time
In the modeling industry, if you’re not 5 minutes early then you’re already late. Working in this industry will help you understand the value of managing your time well.

3 – Being Able To Take Direction
Whether it’s a photographer telling you where to look or a department store event manager telling you the routine for your runway debut, to work as a model means you need to be good at taking direction.

2 – Learning What Professionalism Is
No matter how big or small the job is, remember that modeling is an industry. You are expected to return phone calls in a timely manner, have a professional email address, show up on time (remember tip 4?) and be generally responsible.

1 – Confidence
It takes a lot of self-confidence to stand up in front of a room full of people and be the center for attention. When you believe in yourself, you can do anything! The confidence you build upon in modeling or acting gets stronger with every success. And this in something that will take you far, no matter what you want to be when you grow up.