Ellie O'Connell, a psychology graduate, decided after landing a degree-related career that working within the field of psychology wasn't for her. Ellie then decided to take another path and now works successfully as an investment graduate associate at an independent financial adviser. Below she talks about how that felt, what her next steps were after her realisation, and what advice she'd offer to someone who finds themselves in the same shoes after graduation.
I always had the idea that I would complete my undergraduate degree, and then go on to complete a Masters and then a PhD but by the time my third year rolled around I was desperate to leave further education, move back home to Manchester and begin my 'adult' life. In the lead up to the end of university and graduation, I was so stressed out about my final exams and my dissertation that I wasn't thinking about what was next.
2) Did you have any worries about graduating - if so, what were they?
My only main worry about leaving university initially was finding a job. I was excited to move back home, and be close to my family and friends again. The transition was a lot harder than I anticipated though. I went from living with my friends and being around people all of the time to suddenly living with just my mum and being unemployed meaning that I was alone a lot.
3) What was your experience like searching for jobs once you had your degree?
Once I had moved home, I went back to work at the local pub and just started scouring Indeed and Reed etc to find any sort of job that had something to do with psychology - but that you didn't need a Masters/ PhD for. I didn't know what I wanted to do, or what my ideal career path was. Searching for a job was a long process, with lots of rejection! I applied for a lot of jobs and didn't get an interview for 3 months. In the end, I only got one interview but luckily I was successful!
4) When did you realise you didn’t want to use your degree directly for your
career?
There wasn't really a point at which I decided I didn't want to use my degree, I just knew I had to change jobs and wanted something that had a lot less pressure involved. The first job I got after university was a Support Worker for young women who had autism, learning disabilities and depression. I found the role really challenging emotionally as if I did anything wrong, it could seriously impact the lives and wellbeing of the women in my care. It was beginning to really affect me so I resigned and worked in retail for a bit. I'm not saying retail isn't hard, but I found the change exactly what I needed. I came to the realisation that for the time being I wanted to do something that was still challenging, but the consequences of getting things wrong were less severe. At that time, I felt like that excluded a lot of psychology based roles.
5) What sort of feelings/thoughts came with that realisation?
The only feeling I really had when I came to that realisation was relief.
6) What were your next steps then, realising psychology wasn’t for you?
I started to look for any job in any field that would accept someone without relevant experience and I felt like I had so many more options. It was still a struggle to find a non-retail role but I was enjoying myself where I was so I just felt a lot more relaxed.
7) What has been the most exciting part of leaving university and education
behind?
Initially, I was just excited to move back to Manchester. Nottingham is great, but I never really felt at home there. I love living near my family, friends and my cat. I feel like I have a much bigger support system here so I'm overall happier being here, which itself is very exciting. But now I have a full-time job I enjoy and have moved out of my family home, I feel very settled.
education?
The least exciting part about leaving university at first was when I realised the transition for both me and my mum from living in different cities to living together again would not be the easiest. We get on really well, but it was a struggle. I had lived independently for 3 years and suddenly felt like that independence was being dragged away from me. The dynamic had definitely changed, but after a couple of months we settled into a new routine and all was well again.
9) Is there anything about the ‘real world’ you didn’t expect/weren’t prepared for?
The only thing I wasn't prepared for was how difficult the transition from uni would be. I had to develop a new routine which took some time.
10) Is there anything you wish you had been told about leaving university?
1. Some things are going to be a bit harder than anticipated, but you have got to just take it all in your stride! 2. Everybody else is going through a similar thing
3. Do not compare your journey to anyone else's
4. Make sure you take advantage of every opportunity you get!
11) Three words to describe your transition from university?
BIG LIFE CHANGE
12) What advice would you offer to someone who was in your shoes - realising they didn’t want to use their degree directly in their career path?
If you feel like you don't want to use your degree, don't! Everything you learnt and experienced will help you even if it is not obvious. You can always go back to it in the future. Your happiness is the most important thing.
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