Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about this matter and it dawned on me a few conclusions. It was a very natural path, for me to finish high school and go to university to get, at least, a Bachelor’s Degree. I’m an academic person and just love the structure of knowing you are getting a degree. My future holds a PhD for sure, and I already got my Master’s out of the way, but I cannot help but wonder about friends and family of mine that didn’t necessarily followed that path and the fact that they are doing great.
It was a very natural path, for me to (…) go to university (…)”
I never defined a career by the level of your studies or the length of your curriculum because there are several ways to build one. It came even more to my attention when I started dating my husband, back in 2010. He was a professional tennis player at the time and only attended six months of university – in management – but halfway through, figured it wasn’t for him. He didn’t like the classes, the subjects or the concept of having to do a 3 or 4 year course and then start working at a corporate job, which ultimately is fine for some people. Nowadays, there are no right or wrong ways to choose what you want to be doing and, especially our generation, has to figure out what they want to do with no certainties that they will be doing it forever.
I never defined a career by the level of your studies (…)”
When I moved to Dubai, I was looking for a job back in Portugal and it hit me, how hard it was to find a somewhat normal job (like 9 to 6). No one was hiring unexperienced people and the common thing was to do an unpaid internship, which I did, three of them. Then in Dubai, jobs were abundant and there was so much to pick from, but I mainly enjoyed the freedom of freelancing, which ultimately, was not attached to any degree I had. People wanted me for my skills and not for something written down on a paper. However, I’m definitely not saying that it was a bad thing to go to university, for me, it was most valuable. Today I know so much that I can apply to my daily life and work, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but as you progress in your career and encounter successful people who did not went to university, perspectives shift and it’s as acceptable as ever to find what you are good at, and work for it.
The main thing I’ve learnt is that, whatever you do (…) do it with passion (…) and work as hard as hell for it.”
I realize a lot of people don’t have the opportunities and I’m part of a privileged bunch. But I also realize how important it is to look at examples of people who did not follow the traditional path and are nowadays working and loving what they are doing. The main thing I’ve learnt is that, whatever you do, whether you go to university or not, do it with passion, find out what you’re good at and work as hard as hell for it. It might take a while – years even – but it will surely be worth the while.
What are your thoughts on it? I would love to know!