Taking your career to new places… literally.
I was the girl who wasn’t sure what to do or where to go post high school, let alone post university, but hey Mum: look at me now. I’ve ended up fresh out of uni and a long way from home – just an Aussie girl living in a British world. Some would say crazy, others brave, but personally I see it as life changing.
It’s not an easy decision to make – leaving behind your support system, your number one fans, the loves of your life – on the chance you fall into a job you’re passionate about. So why did I do it? Let me talk you through my thought process…
You can’t let opportunities pass you by
Firstly, and I think most importantly in my case, opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. When they come your way you have to grab them and hold on tight. I knew that if I didn’t take the offer I would constantly look back and question the decision. As someone who openly struggles with FOMO, it’s the need to say yes to opportunities like this that has landed me in many weird and wonderful situations, and you know what: I’m a much better person for it.
It’s through challenges that we achieve growth
Not many people can say that at the age of 23, fresh out of education, they moved across the world to begin navigating the world of adults. I think there’s no better way to be schooled in the art of adulting than navigating a completely new environment on your own, and I’m differentiating myself from the other hundreds of graduates in my class. The challenge calls to my competitive side. It will result in gaining skills that will not only look killer on my CV, but will open me up to learning opportunities and personal and career growth that I could get in no other way.
Connections are what make a career
Basically, I’m becoming a desirable employee. International experience is highly valued by employers and with global barriers continually falling cultural awareness is as important as ever. While I am here I will be growing my network and linking myself to professionals on a global scale. As they say these days, connections are everything – and I’d like mine to be many and wide spread.
I’ve got memories to make
Rounding out my thoughts were the memories I knew I was going to make. Maybe you can blame or thank my FOMO for this one, again. When all else fails, do it for the memories. I didn’t know what was going to happen, or where it was going to lead, but I knew that wherever I ended up I’d land with experiences that will stay with me forever. As someone who is as afraid of the unknown as much as the next person this is a seriously scary concept to grasp. At the end of the day, whether the experience is good or bad, you can always find a happy memory to hold onto.
To those of you out there who may be facing a similar situation, asking yourselves, is it worth it? Well my friends there is only one way to find out, just go for it. If I can do it, so can you.
Who knows where this adventure will take me, but the important thing is I’m on the adventure. At the end of the day if you don’t go out there and live out your dreams, you’ll spend your life hired to contribute to someone else’s. So here I am, choosing to live mine.
