That Time Of Year Again

Do you know?

Are you a long time fan or a newbie chump?

Either way sit back, relax and listen to my spiel.

I think this will be a long one, I’ve got some internal things to sort out.

So it’s the time of year where decisions need to be made and foci set.

One of the reasons I did this Masters was due to my lack of success in the job market.

Today I realised I need to face that reality face on.

Unlike last year, I have some serious direction.

But once again, I have too many options.

Every Gen-Z kid sounds like an arse for saying ‘too many options’ but they all know why each other says it.

Usually because we tempt faith by not pursuing one over the other.

I quite clearly need sleep, my left eye is twitching.

Anyway.

I have options.

I have deeply-embedded interests.

Too many interests if one was to be critical.

The next year could include one of these steps:

1. Management Consultancy
2. Design Consultancy
3. Policy
4. PhD
5. Start-up

The five options have wreaked havoc with my mind the last few hours.

I feel lost.

In a spiral as I was last year.

The best part is that some of those options are time-sensitive.

Today comes at a perfect time for chaos.

A perfect time for blog.

As long as I can keep my eyes open, I think this will be calming and beneficial.

Okay. Breathe.

The toss up is between getting into a job which I’d enjoy and make money from, getting in a research project that I’d be emphatic over or doing something I’m strongly passionate about and maybe make a living.

The decisions in front of a 22 year old couldn’t be more poignant.

There is the argument that you can risk it all in your 20s, but the pragmatist in me doesn’t like that argument one bit.

Calculated risk is fine, but no plan man won’t suffice.

I see so much potential in my start-up.

Especially with the precursor.

And that precursor may turn into a PhD.

I need to decide what I think has legs and what I’d want to do with my time.

The start-up is predicated on funding or self-funding.

Self-funding would push me into a job.

A job where I may not enjoy the work, but will be able to save.

I think the thing pushing me a way from a PhD is the practicality of getting out into the world and doing stuff.

Contributing something, not just to academia but to the economy or to planet Earth.

The more I think of the start-up and the precursor, the more I’m drawn.

It’s so all-encompassing that it’s like an endless curiosity stream.

That’s just magical.

And it’ll be relevant.

In the next 5–10 years, people will be asking for the precursor as well as the start up.

The other issue with the start up is people and resources.

I have the idea, but nothing else.

I could definitely sell, but I can build it.

Jobs have deadlines that end soon.

That’s another pressure.

I’ve been through the mill once, most people say they get it on their second time.

I’m not sure I want to experience those emotions again.

PhDs likewise need to be decided soon.

Find an advisor.

Pick a topic.

And hope for the best.

I also experienced that last year, it’s quite brutal.

I have a topic.

I might have an advisor.

But I’m not sure about the committing four years so early in my life.

I need to choose a focus.

Maybe something fruitful will come from a discussion with my friend tomorrow.

I do need to make a decision.

But not at the expense of my education.

Never that way.

Most management and design consultancies close by the end of the year.

So I have time there.

But some earlier.

A lot of jobs aren’t even graduate schemes.

You need to enter via a different route.

It’s very confusing.

I plan to speak with friends, and make a decision.

I feel following my heart and passion may be the only option, but sustaining myself is equally important.

Having 2–3 years experience somewhere will never go amiss.

A conundrum.

A problem.

A challenge.

The answer: inconclusive.

Or is it?

What do I enjoy the most?

The start up

What will give me sustenance?

A job

What will fuel my curiosity?

A PhD/start up

Which is most important?

NA

So it’s inconclusive.

I need to be critical about how I see into the future, what is possible and what is not.

That Time Of Year Again