Steven Spielberg was a young intern film crew helper for Universal Studio until he quietly rose to the top. He later became the youngest director at Universal Studios in 1960. This is when he made the TV show 'Duel' that was very successful.
Spark
Because of his success with his first TV show, it opened up a door for his film making desires. His first film on the big screen after 'Duel', was Jaws. Jaws became a major hit and just like that he rose to the top putting out other number one's such as E.T. and Jurassic Park.
Never Forget
Throughout Spielberg's entire career, he states that the 'Schindler's List' was the hardest film he ever had to create. Literately in an interview he stated "I have to make this film". Spielberg is of an Jewish decent and he remembers his father and uncle telling him stories as a kid of how his grandparents were killed in the Holocaust. This movie served as a tribute to every person affected by the Holocaust. Even after it was done, it took Spielberg three years to finally release it. He states, "this isn't just a movie but my life". The movie won, multiple awards and put Steven Spielberg on the film making map forever. After the movie was done, he also started the survivors of the S.H.O.A.H. visual arts foundation which is basically a collection of stories, art, artifacts, etc. from the Holocaust