BLOG: From University to Reality

Earlier this year, I finished my Masters of Marketing degree from Swinburne University. As I approached the end goal, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this new phase of my life. Wow - I had completely finished up with university life, and a new chapter was about to start…

So, what now?!

While most of my friends were relieved when they submitted their last assignments, I was disappointed and overwhelmed. I couldn’t help but ponder about my future. Where was I heading? What was I going to make of myself? What would my daily routine look like?

I had given blood, sweat and tears into finishing university strongly, so I decided that I deserved a break. With whatever I had earned from a part time job, I decided to travel to Sydney and Newcastle to see friends.

... but I still found myself worried and anxious. Should I instead have been spending my time applying for jobs? I therefore decided to meet with recruiters and industry experts where possible, even if it was in NSW on my holiday.

Eventually, as I returned to Melbourne, this wave of anxiety started to take a toll on my mental health. I slowly started to wallow in self-pity as I spent 4 hours a day (after my 8 hour shift at a warehouse) to respond to job ads, tailoring my CV and reading rejection emails. I felt like I was going on a downward spiral, and I had not received a single call back after almost two months.

I was unable to tell if I wasn’t working hard enough to apply for jobs or if I was being picky in regards to the role, location and the pay. To make matters worse, the warehouse, where I was working part time, decided to let me go. I suddenly realised that I had absolutely no form of financial security.

Wait, what?!

After three months of very intense emotional and mental battle, I received a message from Sleeptite, one of the companies where I had previously interned. They asked if I was interested in coming in for a coffee. I leapt at the opportunity and was happy that they still thought of me.

On the day of the coffee catch up, I remember standing in the meeting room with my bag still latched on my back, having a conversation with the CEO of the company. What started out as a simple exchange of pleasantries all of a sudden changed into a job offer. I was asked to come and work as the Operations Manager. I was speechless! I couldn’t believe someone wanted to have me onboard without even going through a formal interview process.

Instead of having to pitch myself out to the employer, I was being told all the reasons why I was seen as a good fit for the company. It was uplifting to hear the little things that the CEO had noted regarding my work ethic during the internship. Excitedly and nervously I accepted the offer.

I started in my new role the following Monday - again with a lot of questions. How would this role suit me? What was I meant to do on my first day? How would I cope with the work pressure? How could I add value to the company?

Through trial and error I figured some thing out…

Patience is key. I needed to take time to understand my new environment, the business, the industry and the market that I was now operating in.

Learning never stops. Even though I had some prior understanding of this new company, I still had to take the time to clearly understand what my role was and what my daily routine would look like.

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s fine. I made lots and I lived, I learnt and I moved on.

Handle your finances! I’ve never been known to be a spendthrift; in fact some people think I am tight-fisted. However, when I received my first salary I had the urge to spend it on everything that I loved! I later realised that I had to be smart with my salary considering I had a student loan that needed to be paid off.

So far, this out-of-university journey has been quite rewarding.  I am sure the roller coaster of emotions will never stop, but I am generally more excited than anxious and with a good team to support me, I believe I am finally headed in the right direction.