This is probably going to be my last summer as a university student. That is a statement that makes me feel queasy. Especially when I think that the end of my degree also means the end of the road towards what is socially considered a proper academic education. But as with all endings, there is also a beginning. In this case, the beginning of my working life.
Before, when I thought about starting work, the first things that came to mind were mundane tasks, never-ending days, few holidays and the traditional hierarchy and subordination typically found in companies. Ultimately, the end of the freedom we value so much during university. You learn a lot at university. On one hand, you learn how to master content, expand your knowledge and understand the rules of the game. On the other hand, you develop essential skills like making well-founded arguments, cultivating a critical mindset, synthesising ideas and managing responsibilities.
However, my initial assumptions have drastically changed after my first experiences with the world of work. You also learn on the job—even more than at university! At the companies where I have had the opportunity to work, I have discovered the importance of good organisation, as well as the necessity of hierarchy and how it can be close-knit while still enabling us to work together efficiently. I have also come to understand how crucial it is to embrace responsibility and, through hard work, earn back the trust that has been placed in you. But most of all, I have learnt to work with a purpose.
I have been fortunate to be part of leading companies with inspiring leadership and remarkable professionals. Companies that strive to empower everyone involved. My experiences in those companies has made me realise the tangible impact of my own contributions. Applying everything learnt at university to a purpose you are passionate about feels similar to drawing or writing—turning an idea into reality.
My generation has made some waves in HR departments everywhere. We are not so easily won over by generous salaries alone. We also look for flexibility in our schedules, the ability to work from different locations, a relaxed environment and a sense that our opinions are valued. This reflects a change in how we prioritise work in our lives. Experts in team management observe that we place less emphasis on work itself, with the sentiment perhaps best captured by the phrase “work to live, not live to work”. However, what these experts often overlook is the importance we give to aligning work and life. Living by working.
We are looking for companies that not only drive economic progress but also contribute to social advancement, with a firm commitment to employee development. We expect companies to be aware of their impact on the territory. We are not a generation that does not want to work; we are a generation that wants to feel we are working for something more than money.
From a young age, we are guided along a successful academic path that culminates in university studies. But once this journey ends, what comes next? Until not so long ago, I would not have had a definite answer to that question. Now, I understand that a new phase begins, one in which I have the skills and tools to bring my goals to life.
Diari d’Andorra 22.08.2024