Rebooting your mindset. From assignment all-nighters, to days at the office.

Am I the only one whose original career plan went out of the window? Don’t worry you can always re-write your first draft, just like I did.

Everyone’s got a plan…until someone punches you in the face.

I think one of the most puzzling moments in my life (which I have many of) was choosing which course I should follow at University. I still can’t understand how people can choose what they want to do in their life at the age of 15. It’s like having to choose between chocolate and vanilla ice-cream for the rest of your life.

So I chose to study European Studies, and I had it all planned out. I thought of building my career around EU funding projects. Luckily, I had a taste of what this work would look like… and boy was I surprised. It’s not because it’s European Studies, but I literally had no chemistry with the subject. I have friends working in that field and they love it, but it was just not for me.

Okay, so my plan at that point was that I had no plan. I had finished my degree in a subject I was not passionate about.

Since I had a few job experiences up until that point, I had the opportunity to observe different roles. I asked myself which career I would see myself doing and I ended up doing a 360 back flip, twist, and turn which led me to the world of HR. Therefore, my first step was catching a flight to the UK and completing a Master’s degree in the HR field which thankfully exceeded my expectations.

Bottom line: If you’re brave enough to start, be strong enough to finish… (When possible).

When reality bites.

While I was working on the last project of my Master’s degree, I wondered ‘Okay! So now I’m 24(ish) and finishing off my studies… Now what? What’s next? What if my Master’s Degree will lead me to a career path I don’t enjoy?’

Once I attended a few interviews, I made the decision to accept one of the opportunities and start my very first full time job. No matter how many times you have done it before, starting a new job can be daunting! What if I don’t like the people? What if I don’t like the job? What if I make a fool of myself on the first day?! I knew I was going to be judged on everything I said, how I looked, or what I ate!

Reality Check

I was surely not aware what I was in for. The proverbial penny dropped! I had no more summer, Christmas, or Easter holidays but I just had work! There were many occasions where I stopped to think about the fact that I will be working for the rest of my life, and the most challenging part is that when I check my work profile, the retirement age next to my name is 65 years… 41 years to go! Yay!

I still find myself thinking how this all came to be. Throughout my studies, I had a few casual jobs but continuing with my academics was always my main priority. Now I have no semesters to think about or final year exams. I started considering embarking on a PhD journey, but then again I am actually happy in putting my full commitment into my current role.

Do I really want to work for GO?

Just like you, since I was only a customer, I only had interaction with retail agents, contact centre agents, and technicians… most of the times because I didn’t try to restart my modem. My bad! As I had only dealt with these teams, I thought GO had nothing more to offer than client-facing roles. Who knew that these were only one third of the company! Here I am now recruiting Software Developers, Marketing Specialists, Engineers, and candidates for a gazillion other roles.

It’s not that bad after all

No, I can no longer sleep in all day and decide to miss a lesson here and there, but I have the chance to schedule my time as I please. When I get Monday blues and realise I have no meetings that morning it’s the best feeling, because I can keep pressing snooze and go into work an hour or so later, just BECAUSE I CAN.

I am my own time keeper. I know when I need to focus and I know when I can have a laugh. I also have the  luxury to work from home, but I honestly feel that I am the most productive and creative, when I’m on my desk next to my colleagues because they encourage me and push me beyond my limits. It’s a weird feeling, you’re working in a team but yet feel so independent.

The crazy thing is that I enjoy spending time with my colleagues so much, that I feel that the weekly 40 hours with them is not enough. So we end up planning things even after work (Seriously!!!).

Don’t just pick a job. Pick a Boss.

Your first boss is the biggest factor in your career success. A boss who doesn’t trust you won’t give you opportunities to grow. Yes, when I saw the vacancy I had an idea of the role, but I honestly imagined I would be doing administrative work and basic tasks. Boy was I wrong! Most of the things I studied, I’m actually putting into practice. Who thought I would be given this much exposure and responsibility?! Yes, I had to prove myself, but my manager paved the way for me and challenged me to reach new heights in a short period of time.

Thought of the day: A person who feels appreciated will always do more than is expected.

Why am I studying again?

After my last exam, I called my parents to let them know that even if they paid me, I won’t be doing another exam in my life. Well the joke is on me because before I even finished my Master’s, I deliberately enrolled myself in another course, and after finishing it, I am doing yet another one out of my own free will (Why do I keep doing this to myself?).

I came to the conclusion that nothing will go as planned and I will welcome any challenge that comes my way with open arms. After all, if you are not ready to embrace change, are you really ready to grow?

Written by Maria Cutajar

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