Sometimes all it takes is that big break. Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise. Jerry Seinfeld’s first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Celebrity hair stylist Chris McMillan’s creation of “the Rachel”.

Now, Life Network is giving young professionals their very own once-in-a-lifetime chance to hit the big time with the original new series Making It Big. Each episode of the six-part series pits three up-and-comers against each other as they vie for a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, and a reward that money can’t buy – mentoring by high-profile industry leaders who have the power to launch careers. The series will air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET beginning April 17.

Hosted by advertising-guru Linda Kaplan Thaler and Canadian Olympic athlete and actor Howard Dell, Making It Big takes young people who have the education, experience and passion necessary to succeed and gives them the chance to make it big. The young professionals must compete in a pressure-filled, time-limited challenge that provides the ultimate test of their talents. Laying everything on the line for the ultimate career break, they have to impress a tough panel of experts who provide a frank assessment of their performance. The panel also includes an industry client whose identity is revealed at the start of each challenge.

“Not only will our viewers want to see who makes the most of this opportunity, but we hope that everyone who watches will be inspired to follow their own dreams, face career challenges and strive for success,” says Vanessa Case, Vice President of Programming, Life Network and National Geographic Channel. “The series also goes behind the scenes of professions that are notoriously difficult to break into and reveals just what it takes to succeed.”

Making It Big episodes include:

Making It Big: Choreographers
Sunday, April 17 at 10 p.m. ET
Three up-and-coming music video choreographers compete for the career opportunity of a lifetime, as they vie for the chance to be mentored by Madonna’s creative director Jamie King.

Making It Big: Fashion Designers
Sunday, April 24 at 10 p.m. ET
Three up-and-coming fashion designers must create a fabulous cocktail dress in just two hours, as they vie for the opportunity to be mentored by fashion design icon Cynthia Steffe and to have their work displayed at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City.

Making It Big: Wedding Planners
Sunday, May 1 at 10 p.m. ET
Three up-and-coming wedding planners take on the challenge of a lifetime, as they vie for the chance to be mentored by wedding planner-to-the-stars, Sharon Sacks.

Making It Big: Chefs
Sunday, May 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Three up-and-coming chefs compete for the chance to be mentored by famed New York chef Daniel Boulud and free enrollment in the world-famous Bocuse cooking school in France.

Making It Big: Hair Stylists
Sunday, June 5 at 10 p.m. ET
Three up-and-coming hair stylists take on the challenge of a lifetime, as they vie for the chance to be mentored by New York celebrity hair stylist Patrick Melville, and to have a new portfolio of their work shot by acclaimed photographer Michael Zeppetello.

Making It Big: TV Entertainment Reporters
Sunday, June 19 at 10 p.m. ET
Three up-and-coming entertainment reporters compete for the opportunity to be mentored by host Dayna Devon of the award-winning entertainment newsmagazine show Extra.

Life Network is an Alliance Atlantis Network. For more information on Life Network programs, please visit www.LifeNetwork.ca.