Disclaimer: The views expressed by our interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GradSimple. We only edit these responses for clarity. All opinions remain those of the interviewee.
- Year Of Graduation: 2023
- College/University: University of Missouri (Mizzou)
- Major: Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering
What do you do for a living? Do you see yourself continuing in this path, and how does it make you feel?
I’m in “technical sales.” It’s different from tech sales. I work for a fortune 250 American manufacturer. I’m their sales rep for a state for one of their many technologies. My career path is still undecided. I believe if I stay in my current job for too long, I’ll get very complacent. It can be a little unfulfilling at times. Then again, it’s my first real job and I can’t imagine many jobs being fulfilling.
Can you share the most unexpected challenge you faced after graduating? How did you handle it?
I cannot really say that there was an unexpected challenge after college. I took a job where I understood what the future held and the challenges that came with it. I think I’ve fared well. But my most unexpected challenge before graduating was probably finding a job that I liked. I originally looked into engineering jobs, and it was difficult to find a position that I was excited about. I also did not have internship experience, so looking back it might have been near impossible to find a desirable engineering job.
Why did you choose your major, and looking back, how do you feel about that decision?
I chose engineering because I knew it paid well, and I was good at math. I also thought engineering would be the best job with only a bachelors. I’m very happy I chose engineering. I think that even if I’m not directly in an engineering role, having the degree still opens up doors that would be closed with another major.
If you could speak to your younger self right after graduation, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give?
I wouldn’t change anything as of now. But I would tell myself to stop stressing about where you will end up after a training program. It worked out very well.
What’s your biggest fear or insecurity right now? How do you manage it?
My biggest fear is that I am wasting my single time in my twenties by not grinding the corporate ladder. I have a lax job, and a large part of me wants to do so much more.
If financial stability wasn’t an issue, what dream or passion project would you pursue?
I have no idea what dream I would pursue. I guess my biggest dream is having a happy family. I think I can achieve that right now.
What’s something about life after college that no one warned you about?
Nobody warned me that life can get lonely after college. In college, you’re probably surrounded by and/or living with your best friends. You’re all in the exact same stage of life, studying, partying, and living mostly care free. You graduate, people move to different cities, you stop seeing your best friends. At the same time, it’s not awful. You have a new level of freedom. You can truly be self-sufficient. You can chase what you’re passionate about. If I can give one piece of advice, it would be this: leave your comfort zone. Go live in a new fun city. Meet new people. Experience a new way of life. You may never have the chance to again, and you can always go back home. You won’t regret it, I promise.
How do you define fulfillment, and do you think you’re on the path toward it?
Fulfillment can be a few things in my mind. For one, I believe people get fulfillment from being busy. Not sure why, but probably because it’s a distraction. I also believe the biggest source of fulfillment is feeling important. Lastly, I think fulfillment comes from being able to provide for your family.
What’s one belief or assumption you had about adulthood that turned out to be wrong?
One belief about adulthood that turned out to be wrong is that it’s hard. I probably have great circumstances too, but studying in college was definitely more challenging than life right now. I’m cruising, for better or for worse.
What’s a raw, honest thought you have about where you are in life right now?
I’m not sure if I’ll ever be truly happy and fulfilled in my work life. Maybe having a family will make me not care.
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