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: 2019
- College/University: Penn State (Pennsylvania State University)
- Major: Advertising
What do you do for a living? Do you see yourself continuing on this path, and how does it make you feel?
I am an administrative assistant at a small boutique wealth management firm. I will have been here for two years come August. I think there are a lot of ways to grow beyond this role. Right now I am still very much new in regards to the rest of my company, so I am trying to retain as much knowledge as possible about the finance world. I hope to continue along this path but eventually move into an associate role.
Can you share the most unexpected challenge you faced after graduating? How did you handle it?
I don’t know If I had any “unexpected challenges” but I think the biggest challenge I faced was just figuring out how to be financially stable and secure a good job. I moved to NYC with about $100 to my name, but luckily had an older sister who lived here and she stayed at her boyfriend’s place most nights. I ended up staying there for about 4 weeks before I secured my job. Every paycheck I earned I put the majority away and was very frugal. I think I had yogurt for dinner for about 4 months! It definitely wasn’t easy being so broke but it’s worth it to be frugal at first so you are comfortable later down the road.
Why did you choose your major, and looking back, how do you feel about that decision?
I entered college as an Advertising major and Digital Media Analytics minor. I loved the show Mad Men where they work at an advertising agency. I was inspired by that show and wanted to go into creative advertising. I know…very different from my job now. After talking to a few alumni in the field in NYC, I realized I would never be able to afford living here making what those in advertising/PR make at first. A lot of people have parental support after graduation, however that was not the case in my scenario. So instead I went for the more comfortable option which would allow me to survive more than just paycheck to paycheck.
If you could speak to your younger self right after graduation, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give?
I would tell myself to throw any job expectations out the window. It’s really competitive going for the trendy Fashion PR jobs I thought I wanted. I realized you don’t make much money and often work way more hours than compensated for. I would tell a future post-grad to not have set expectations of what your ideal job should be coming out of college. I would get a job where you are going to be able to make a decent salary and grasp a lot of information.
What’s your biggest fear or insecurity right now? How do you manage it?
My biggest fear is that I won’t advance at my current company. I will always just be an assistant and never amount to anything more. I think this is a fear of mine because it is a small company so I get scared there won’t be an exact path for me to advance. However, I recognize additional responsibilities I have taken on since starting, and also taking advantage of meeting with my boss and letting him know I am capable of taking on more work. I always keep a running list of my responsibilities and tasks as more are added throughout my position here.
If financial stability wasn’t an issue, what dream or passion project would you pursue?
I would LOVE to be a casting director for Survivor.
What’s something about life after college that no one warned you about?
You have to start actually paying for your dentist and doctor (if your parents kick you off their healthcare like mine). It’s important your company has a good healthcare plan.
How do you define fulfillment, and do you think you’re on the path toward it?
I think fulfillment is being content in day-to-day life. Feeling financially stable would be a part of fulfillment for me personally. I don’t need hundreds of millions of dollars (although I would not mind LOL) but enough to pay a NYC mortgage and help my parents would be ideal.
What’s one belief or assumption you had about adulthood that turned out to be wrong?
That going in-person every day is AWFUL. Contrary to popular belief, working in person helps me live a very productive lifestyle. Waking up and getting dressed in a presentable outfit can actually be a lot of fun…if you are into it. I also think as a young person it is so important to be in the office and interact with people you work with. You are going to learn a lot more by being hands-on and making sure you are staying on track with assignments.
What’s a raw, honest thought you have about where you are in life right now?
A LOT more people than you think are supported by their parents (especially in NYC). Don’t get down on yourself for feeling like other people are further ahead than you…a majority of the time they are being given help. Plus I think making it on your own is a lot cooler!
P.S. Feeling lost? Subscribe to GradSimple and get personal reflections like this delivered to your inbox, once a week!
