Your future is limitless
A month ago, my sister graduated from the University of Warwick, and one of the co-founders of Overleaf gave a speech that got me thinking.
Like many people, he didn’t know exactly what to do after graduating. Usually, you just start a job you find, and then you see what comes next.
I had the feeling of knowing a bit about what I wanted to work as, but then I took the next best job, and I needed to be grateful for finding a well-paying one.
Your environment, your boss, and the opportunities available decide for you.
A lot of possibilities
As a graduate, you don’t know how many options are out there for you.
If you study chemistry, you do a lot of lab work and research at the university but this doesn’t mean you need to stay in research.
I know many studied physicists who are now programmers, analysts, or project managers in various industries.
In the 21st century, there are more work possibilities than ever before. As a graduate, you may know around 10% of the options, which are the job offers available at the moment.
With the internet, you can learn something new and change your profession quickly. So I want you to be flexible and to:
Think outside the box
Be open-minded about your future. Don’t get boxed in by narrow views of society or your beliefs.
You don’t know the future. And that’s a good thing.
Be open to finding your passion and your goals. You will not find it in your first job.
Be open to changing paths, failing, and finding new goals!
You will grow and expand your horizons, and this can lead to a completely new path.
Like the co-founder of Overleaf never imagined having his own company programming a LaTex editor. He thought he would stay in research at the university.
After my first bachelor’s (in media technology), I wanted to be a programmer. But then, working as one was purposeless for me, because some would not even get published or would take years.
The studying was fun with solving different problems and interesting small projects.
I would‘ve never imagined achieving all those things I did in the last 10 years since I finished high school.
In retrospect, it shows me how much is possible and that I can strive for even bigger goals in the upcoming 10 years.
Goals are changing with you
Recently, I found a paper with my goals until I’m 30 (which I wrote 5 years ago):
- masters done
- married
- all around the world trip
Even though I didn’t achieve those till my 30th birthday (it was last month), I’m happy with where I am and who I am.
I achieved so much more than I could‘ve ever imagined.
Instead I:
- met the world in Vienna
- volunteered: grew beyond and traveled together
- worked on a real building project
- am in a happy relationship
- am writing online
- lived abroad for 3 months
If you’d told me about those achievements 10 years ago, I would‘ve thought you’re crazy.
I was still thinking inside the belief system box society taught me:
- study
- marry
- have kids
- have a well-paying job
and then you’ll be happy somehow.
What school doesn’t teach you is:
Life is way more interesting outside of the comfort zone and the box of society.
The most fun, happiest, and interesting moments in the last few years weren’t about achieving life goals but:
- exploring the desert and riding a camel
- networking with like-minded female entrepreneurs
- writing online and getting amazing feedback
- showing international guests my beautiful city Vienna
- having fun with my family and boyfriend
- seeing my project in real life
I still have similar goals to 5 years ago, but they change with experience and growth.
Recently, I got the vision of becoming a motivational speaker, inspiring young women with my stories. And I hated presentations and talking in front of people.
Crazy what happens when we are growing and experiencing new things.
It gets me excited because it means the future will get even better than I can imagine.
Don’t be afraid to change
When I graduated at 22 from my first bachelor’s, I was happy and ready to have a good career.
But the boring and purposeless life of a programmer hit me fast.
I was confused and stuck because I followed the path society showed me, and it didn’t make me happy.
I questioned and thought about everything for a few months and decided to change careers.
I thought I was too old to start studying again. (You can read the whole story here.)
Like the co-founder of Overleaf took the risk to build a company, you can change anytime too.
Please don’t care about the status or money!
I was so worried about what other people might think. It’s stupid and a waste of time.
Do what makes you happy and you will get the status and money you want!
Conclusion
Graduating doesn’t mean you are done with growing and learning.
I want you to explore opportunities outside of your box.
Your box full of negative beliefs and societal rules is limiting your future.
Take a risk, fail and find new opportunities!
Don’t limit yourself by trying to achieve goals you set yourself 5 years ago!
Live a little and explore! No matter your age!
If you don’t like where you are headed or where you are, don’t hesitate to change your life and goals!
You can have more than 1 vision, goal or passion. Maybe in 10 years you will completely change and want to be a beekeeper.
So explore life today and then tell me what you find!
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