Sohany Singh, a New York native and Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program alumna, addresses her career journey and the importance of establishing genuine connections in the industry. After her time in the program, Singh worked as the writers’ assistant on Hulu comedy How I Met Your Father.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey as a writer?

I’m from New York. I started writing very young, and then came into screenwriting around sixteen. I went to college for screenwriting at NYU. I concentrated on television, and then moved out to L.A. in 2017. I interned for free because I didn’t have any kind of network out here yet. Then, I got my first full-time desk at a talent management company. I did that for a year and a half, then worked in features development for another year and a half. In the middle of COVID, I became a showrunner’s assistant. After a year of that, I became a writer’s assistant on the second season of How I Met Your Father. It was awesome.

First, I was their showrunner’s assistant, but while [doing that] I was in the [Writers’ Access Support Staff Training] Program. I had inquired about the promotion after about a year because I figured the timing was right and I was ready. The program was a really big help in preparing me for what that job was, and they knew that I had that training.

How did the Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program prepare you for that position?

Knowing what to expect in terms of note taking, navigating Final Draft, learning all of the shortcuts, and being given realistic expectations of being in a room was really helpful. What I really loved about the program was that every week we would have a showrunner guest speaker and they’d do a Q&A. Hearing the realities of what their expectations are, and what their journeys have been like, grounds you to what the experience is.

What advice would you offer to emerging writers seeking support staff positions?

Be social. Don’t be annoying about it, but be social. I have had friends who have had adjacent jobs where they’re nagging to get to know the writers better because they’re so hungry for opportunity. Remember that everyone’s a normal person. Try to find the people you get along with and develop organic relationships with them. Finding things you actually have in common is the most helpful way to stay with someone in a positive way. They’ll think of you because they liked working with you.

If you could be in the room and work on any TV show, past or present, what would it be?

I really loved Sex Education. That was a great show. I have a list of these. May I Destroy You and Normal People are at the top.

What do you write about?

I write slice of life, coming-of-age, and grounded relationship stuff. Whether it’s between people who are in love, family, or friends, I like to write very intimate, introspective stories.

Is there any TV show or movie that, looking back, made you want to become a writer?

Little Miss Sunshine — it was one of the first scripts I read when I was sixteen or seventeen. I had seen the movie when it came out, but I was obviously young then. When I read the script, I went back and watched the movie, and remember thinking, “It’s so cool that this exists”. It taught me something specific could be really universal.

Television-wise, I grew up watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Boy Meets World. Those were shows that made me realize this is a job that I can do, but Little Miss Sunshine was something tangible. It was that moment.

Are you still in touch with members of your cohort?

Yeah, I am. I met one of my best friends in the program. We clicked on the first day. That was really awesome. [Another] person was actually one of my producers on a pilot I shot earlier this year.

Last question: when working in entertainment there’s always talk of “getting your foot in the door” and breaking in. Do you think you’ve broken in yet?

I would say yes. I think a lot of people label breaking in as being in the WGA or writing all of these things already. But I think I’ve worked, first and foremost, hard to build a community of friends out here where we all like the same stuff. If we weren’t all working in the industry, we would still be friends. That has been the most helpful thing. I haven't had to go out of my way to apply for a job in five years. It’s always been word of mouth. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have that. I feel like that’s sort of what breaking in is— when you’re not on indeed.com looking for a job.

Is there anything else you’d like to add before I let you go?

I want to shout out two people, Clay [Lapari] and Debbie [Ezer]. They’re fantastic and they have been so good about keeping in touch with us even after the program. They do all these in-person meet-ups. They’ll still text me asking what I’m up to and how I’m doing. It is so kind. The fact that Clay and Debbie really care about this is what makes it work.

This interview has been edited and condensed.