Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.

My name is Michael McCarron and I’m an unapologetic LGBT+ activist, music enthusiast, book worm, and Philly sports mourner. Before starting my non-profit organization, Punk Out, I was a team member of music websites such as PropertyOfZack and UnderTheGunReview. I taught high school English for four years and I’ve been running Punk Out for over two years now. 

What drove you to choose your career path?

My love of the LGBT+ community, passion for working teenagers, and my ardor for alternative music and our music scene. For years there has been a gap between the LGBT+ members of our music community and access to resources targeted at queer people. Punk Out aims to bridge that gap and to encourage those in the closet to come out when safe to do so. 

How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?

I came out of the closet myself, engaged with the LGBT+ community and gauge needs and issues, and then went about creating a plan for an organization to address those needs and issues. Since I started Punk Out from scratch, I had to take the initiative to learn about non-profit management, tax requirements, contemporary LGBT+ research, etc. As the leader of 15 volunteers, it is imperative that I do everything I can to be as knowledge as possible and to stay current with research, regulations, and best-practices. 

What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?

Oh god...uh...I spend most of my time selling Punk Out to potential donors, defending Punk Out against criticism, and working with my management team to put in processes that best accomplish our goals. 

What misconceptions do people often have about your job?

That I’m running a charity. I’m not. Punk Out is not a charity. Nor is Punk Out a music website. We’re not. We’re an full-fledge organization with an editorial, online component and a ground-force, operational component. Both halves of Punk Out require unique skill sets and management styles. 

What are your average work hours?

I live Punk Out.

What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?

The three most important tips I’ve received are:

1. Be the most knowledgeable about your field as possible. Your own education is the one thing that can set you apart from others and it is imperative that you own your education and do what you need to do to ensure that you are the most knowledgeable person about your field as possible. 

2. Don’t reinvent the wheel. There’s a time for revolution, sure, but most of the time you’ll need to work within confines in order to be successful. And honestly, folks have probably already experienced the challenges you are facing. So look at what other before you did successfully and model your solutions off of those successes. 

3. Surround yourself with people you trust and can be honest with. We all know who we work best with. Don’t try to force it. If you have the ability to choose who you work with, choose people who are talented, honest, passionate, and personable...whatever your definition of those attributes are. 

What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?

You know, I’m not 100% sure. The population we serve are children, for the most part, and that population has unique advantages and challenges. In many ways, Punk Out is forced to straddle the line between corporate America and the alternative music scene. So I’ve got to be able to wear two hats: my scene cred hat and my businessman hat. 

Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here for you. We’re 100% confidential. Don’t be afraid to ask any question. Our entire purpose is to help you. 

What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?

The worst part of the job is facing our shortcomings. We’re in the helping people business. So when we fall short  of our standards or our goals, it has real-life consequences...and that kills me personally. When those moments happen, it’s important that I self-reflect, learn from what we missed, and realign with what our core goals are: improving the lives of LGBT+ musicians and fans. 

What's the most enjoyable part of the job?

On the flip side, it’s definitely when we find out that we’ve helped someone. Nothing makes me more proud of the work my team is doing is when I’m at an event and a kid comes up to me and tells me that they are queer and that Punk Out has helped their own self-acceptance journey. Those moments make everything worthwhile.

What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?

Lol. Money. If you’re in my line of business for the money, you’re doing it wrong. 

How do you move up in your field?

By being tenacious, unapologetic, passionate, smart, and empathetic. 

What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession? 

Stop making excuses, and just do it. Turn your passion into actual change. Get out from behind the keyboard and influence the community you live in. It could change the life of someone else for the better...and that’s so worth it.