From Career Discovery to On-Set Success: How Bushra Farook Launched

Bushra Farook works on the set of Deb’s House Season 2 as a production assistant for TeamSheed Productions.

Breaking into the entertainment industry is no easy feat, especially for young adults facing barriers. That’s LaunchPad—offering real-world exposure, career discovery, and life-changing career opportunities. For Bushra Farook, a recent graduate of the New York Film Academy and recipient of CT State’s certificate program in film, LaunchPad was the catalyst she needed to take her first professional steps into the industry.

“I had actually decided to take a little break from school and took a couple of courses at my local community college in Norwalk,” Bushra recalls. “While being there, I saw a flyer for LaunchPad about a seminar they were hosting. I knew I wanted to be in the industry, but I just felt like I needed more reassurance or a little bit of a boost. So I thought, why not?”

Bushra attended a LaunchPad career discovery event, an immersive experience designed to introduce young talent to industry professionals. That decision set her on an unexpected path. “After attending one of the seminars at LaunchPad and being exposed to that networking opportunity, I actually ended up being able to apply for a production assistant role, which LaunchPad was able to connect me to.”

That role—her first on-set experience—was with TeamSheed Productions, founded by Rasheed J. Daniel, a LaunchPad Board Member and industry leader. Bushra joined Deb’s House Season 2 as a fully involved production assistant. The show follows music industry icon Deb Antney as she shifts her focus from rap to R&B and embarks upon a nationwide search for the next chart-topping, female R&B superstar. The experience proved invaluable for Bushra. “I was able to utilize the skills that I had learned from the career discovery session and apply them to a real-life scenario, which was really eye-opening,” she says. “It allowed me to step into the shoes of someone who could actively be a participant on set.”

Rasheed J. Daniel and Bushra Farook celebrate her first day on a professional set.

The impact of LaunchPad didn’t stop there. Encouraged by her first success, Bushra returned for another career discovery event, eager to expand her network. This time, she connected with top executives from ITV and A&E, including David George and Elaine Bryant. “I was able to reconnect with Rasheed and also meet executives from both ITV and A&E. That opportunity to network one-on-one in small group coaching sessions was something I never would have anticipated for myself.”

LaunchPad’s mission is to create and are life-changing career opportunities for young adults facing barriers. Bushra’s journey is a testament to the program’s ability to bridge the gap between big dreams and getting started. “Coming from a smaller background and just not really having the exposure to begin with, LaunchPad has taken me to a height that I never would have initially anticipated for myself,” she reflects. “A huge takeaway is being able to use that exposure and the skills I’ve learned through LaunchPad and apply them for future experiences.”

With a strong network and hands-on experience under her belt, Bushra is now positioned to continue building her career in entertainment. Her story is just one of many that demonstrate the power of LaunchPad in helping young adults overcome barriers and step into life-changing opportunities.

LaunchPad continues to expand its impact through career discovery events, mentorship, and direct industry connections. With the goal of placing 50 young adults into internships and jobs in 2025, the program is committed to ensuring that talent like Bushra’s doesn’t go unnoticed.

To learn more about how LaunchPad is transforming careers, visit mylaunchpad.org.