- September 6th, 2022|
- by gradconsult|
- For Graduates,For Students,Learning and Development
by Juliet Hayes
Looking for jobs, like many things in life, can be super difficult. I’ve been there, trying to find something that both interests me, and is related to my degree. But sometimes, that’s just not what you end up doing. Those circles definitely can have overlap, but it might take time to find precisely in which career or job that overlap falls.
Take me for example –
I've got a BSc in Geography, and an MSc in Environmental Management. My three current passions in life are geography, helping people, and the careers field. Who knows where I'll find the perfect role where I can do all three. Or perhaps I can keep geography as my hobby - keep on obsessing over Professor Iain Stewart or maybe take a proper leap into learning about sustainability in a business context.
I spent 2021 talking to students about the benefits of higher education and working with Sheffield College’s careers team, and currently I’m working as a project consultant and candidate engagement manager – are these anything to do with my degrees? No! But, are they using skills I learned in my degree? Yes, they most certainly are (albeit my knowledge of glaciers and imperialism in South America are somewhat benign in this role right now!).
It’s so rare to have a linear career path, where you find your feet and your passion immediately and stick with it for the rest of your life. Instead of worrying that you’re not in your dream job (which if you read Amber's latest post, you might rethink the notion that dream jobs exist entirely), just enjoy the time you have to develop your generalist skills, to experience different sectors, to hone in on your passions. We’re not all experts immediately, much to my dismay…
Do I want to go into the environmental field eventually? Maybe. How am I supposed to know what I’ll be doing in 20 years’ time?
Perhaps I’ll still be here, at Gradconsult, or perhaps I’ll have moved countries. Perhaps I’ll have retrained as a careers advisor, or a teacher, or a pilot. Maybe I'll go back to university to do a PhD and become a geography lecturer. Diving into a world of unknowns is, for most people (and me especially), scary.
You make the decisions you do based on the information you have at the time. Every journey is different. Make sure yours is what YOU want it to be. And don’t worry if your career path meanders, just know that you’re doing it right if you’re having fun and gaining valuable experiences along the way.
All I can say is that I'm content where I am, helping people to see their own potential, and having the most supportive and lovely team around me. I might be disappointing young Juliet by not becoming a world-renowned cartographer and not having Iain Stewart on speed dial, but current Juliet is very happy to be making a mark within such a wonderful company and field.