A Life-Changing Decision
At one point, or several points, in your life as a student you arrive at the difficult decision to either continue studying or start working (fulltime). You can quit your studies, find a job after finishing your Bachelor, or start working when you complete your Master's. If the student life is too good, you can even decide to do another Master or program. However, the risk to become the eternal student increases. I wonder if that is that something you wish to become...
Relaxed Student Life
As a University Student I had a lot of free time where I could choose to do whatever I wanted, felt like doing and had energy for. Since I was a pretty quick learner, I had not much homework to do during the week and a lot of spare time I had to fill. Often, I did this by playing on my Xbox One, watching Netflix or hang around and party with friends. Life was good, relaxing and easy. Probably too easy that it became boring over time. During the week I had not much going on besides classes, meetings and gym sessions. For the weekend, I went home by train to play football at my home town. Not very exciting but always nice to see friends from both cities and doing fun stuff.
Enjoyment and a Lot of Doubts
During my studies I went abroad twice to respectively Budapest where I spent five months for my minor and to Phoenix where I stayed for seven months to write my thesis and finish the Master's degree. Also, during the Covid lockdown I worked for some time at the customer service for several organizations to earn some money and fill in my free time. I did whatever I could to find new experiences and make the best out of a shitty situation.
After my second period abroad where I enjoyed life to the fullest in the United States, I had to complete my Master's thesis. I barely made it since I did not really work on it often. Instead, explored the southwestern states, meet cool people and and did plenty of fun activities. The main problem was to think of what I wanted to do afterwards. Make a plan. Just like many others I doubted whether I wanted to swap my life as a student to join the workforce as a professional. Work days from 9am to 5pm. The thought itself was quite daunting. A full change of life, mindset and routine. Going from a lazy student to a serious hard-working professional who works eight hours a day at a grey office. Contrarily, I was contemplating to start another Master degree to prolong my student life. A third option would be to become an entrepreneur with a personal business. As I saw it back then, one safe option and two life-changing alternative which means I was at the crossroads of a life-changing decision with a point of no return.
Three options
The first option was a serious one since I might want to pursue something more business or economics related. The last alternative, on the other hand, was impossible because I was convinced that I didn't have the knowledge, skills and creativity to start my own business. Eventually, I let go of the possibility to start another Master's degree since the cons heavily outweighed the pros: If I would have continued life as a student, I would have paid another university fee, had no income, and have a lack of motivation due to the fact that I already had obtained a Master's degree. If I would make the transition from simple student to the next stage in life as a professional, I would earn a fulltime salary, gain knowledge and experience, and enhance my network with intellectual people.
Make the Decision
Putting things into perspective, I decided to make the transition from student who had all time in the world to a 9-to-5 professional. The thought of working at a fulltime office job was still intimidating but inevitable in the long run. Obviously, the majority wants to have a job with high income and low number of hours, a webshop, or succeed in some other money generating business. The downside is that it is hard to accomplish, quite unrealistic and needs a lot of time and attention as well. In many cases it remains a utopian idea. Therefore, I made the realistic decision to move into consultancy with traits to be eager to learn, optimistic, and positive.
Benefit of the Doubt
Fast forward to the present, I experienced many advantages about the '9-to-5 profession', mindset, and mentality. Firstly, it provides structure to your day, throughout your week, and ultimately, to your life. My student life was relaxed and revolved around lectures, seminars, and practicals. My current life day-to-day revolves around work with the day-to-day tasks and routines where I feel significantly more productive. Furthermore, I can schedule hobbies, habits, and other activities around my working hours. For example, going to the gym before or straight after I finished work.
Secondly, I learn so much due to the daily challenges, impactful interactions with colleagues, and helpful theoretical and practical courses that are arranged by my organization. This strengthens my business knowledge, increases my professional network and enhances the capabilities that I want to develop to improve in my work as a business consultant. Lastly, it is a lot of fun. Beside the work itself, there are many positivities additional to the pros that I have addressed before. I have met a huge amount of amazing people who become friends, the company and internal communities organize many activities like end-of-the-month drink, game nights, collective meetings with dinner afterwards, and so much more.
So, after serious internal discussion about my possibilities, I must say that I am very happy with the decision that I made. In many aspects of my life, I'm doing much better and work towards my purpose in life. The step towards professionalism has resulted in speedy self-development, trying a lot of different things, a boost in confidence, and reduction in fears. I do what I like to do without caring what other people think. This has been the most life-changing event of all. I don't care what people think of me and the fear of missing out has slipped away from me. Partly affected by the new spatial and professional environment, partly related to the old and new people around me, and mostly caused by my matured mindset and look on life.
Five months ago I was still a student. Now, I can not imagine a life being one.