Ah, the age old adage, ‘find a job that you love and you’ll
never work a day in your life’, so many say it, few agree with it, because let’s
face it, everyone lives for 5pm on Friday.... no one out there truly loves their
job, right?
At a mere 25 years, I had the Degree, Masters, and 3.5 years
work experience in the Banking Industry in the bag. Why? Because I thought it
was what I loved, I spent my college years aching to get into a power suit and
rise above the ranks in Finance to oust the male dominated hierarchy that
currently existed.
Somewhere along that journey, I changed... the piece of
canvas that lines by bedroom wall served as a reminder to me over the past few
years to ‘Do Something you Love Every Day’, so I adopted my own motto ‘Do It’. And so in a bid to fulfil this, I set a list
of personal and professional challenges on an annual basis, an annual bucket
list if you will. Easily done on a generous pay packet (albeit no bonuses – I was
working in the banking industry after all), but here within lies the ultimate
challenge, can I attain my annual bucket list on a budget (a ‘mature’ student
one at that?) in 2013?
On January 25th, I terminated my employment in the
banking industry in what I can only describe as one of the bravest and boldest
decisions I’ve taken to date, terminated certainty, to face a year and a half
of uncertainty. It was time to follow my
true passion in life, and listen to that aching desire I had to pursue a career
in Journalism. In a bid to hone the necessary skills to become a full time
journalist, I signed up to masters number two, one in Journalism and Media
Communications. My great love in life is
the potency of the written word, and creating impactful articles that gauge
your target audience, so I decided it was time to put the calculator away, close
that excel spreadsheet, and follow my dream of becoming a journalist. Despite
the absolute fear and terror at the notion of abandoning the familiar, the
everyday comfortable life I lead, it had been on my bucket list 2012 to review
my status in my job. I did. I took the
plunge, and tomorrow I begin life as a full time student (i.e. a full time
pauper).... the bag is packed, the lunch is made, the pencil case is at the
ready... #scared #nervous #excited #coppersonamonday
So there you go number one on this year’s Bucket List marked
off:
1.
Hand in Notice. Embark on MA in Journalism and
Media Communications.
Where to next.... well as Student life resumes, I am now on
the quest to find employment in the realm of Journalism and Media to gain
experience... Where does an ambitious, ballsy young journalist with a passion
in current affairs go to get employment?
Answer: Everywhere! Emailing any CEO, any journalist, and any
contact I can find in a bid to gain some hands on experience, and prove my
worth in the industry.
2.
Get part time relevant work experience in the
Journalism/Media Industry (Deadline: March 1st). Dare to be
different, dare to knock on every door until someone sees some potential. HIRE
ME! HIRE ME! HIRE ME!
3.
In 2011, I got my full driving license; in 2012,
a family member finally agreed that if I’d officially been deemed road worthy, I
was eligible for the open roads, and they insured me on their car, and so in
2013, my aim is to purchase my first set of wheels. Toyota starlet anyone?
4.
New
Hobby... with a 15 hour week commencing tomorrow, I am in need of a new hobby!
All suggestions welcome... currently thinking of a return to tag rugby,
attempting swimming for the umpteenth time (without the aid of four floats, and
six armbands), or possibly jumping on the cycling bandwagon (although the rust
laden mountain bike which resides at my homestead in Cavan doesn’t look too
healthy... 2nd hand bicycle wanted please!). So yes, a new hobby is required.
5.
Travel, always on the mind. As a student, I
shall be shelving my notions of a return to Africa, in favour of exploring more
European cities.... #cheaphostel
6.
Continue to get involved in the political arena
in Ireland. Following on from my involvement in the Being Young and Irish
seminars continue to tackle issues arising from those seminars, and represent
those young people on salient issues of contention in Irish society.
7.
The personal challenge... Another marathon?
Another mountain? Or something more adventurous and challenging.... I am
currently toying with the notion of the Autism Ireland cycle from Malin Head to
Mizen Head over approximately 6 days, juxtaposing my desire to fundraise for a
different charity this year, and challenge my sheer drive, determination and
personal self.
8.
And lastly, in an attempt to veer away from
living in the materialistic world that we all easily find ourselves sucked into
(and in attempt to embrace student living), I have decided to try something
new, but free to all, every weekend. There are so many events held every week
in Dublin, yet we fail to avail of any, or embrace what Dublin or the
surrounding areas have to offer, as we’re all too busy queuing for Buck Whaleys
on a Saturday night and recovering on a Sunday. So there shall be weekly
updates, via my twitter or my blog of what I find.... here’s to opening your
mind to new and unexplored things in 2013!
So the detail may be sparse when it comes to my 2013 bucket
list on a budget, but I want to express my intent for the year, of exploring
the unexplored, opening my mind to things to new experiences, daring to do the
things I want to do career wise, and when in doubt always remind myself that
though I ‘Feel the fear’ to go ahead and ‘Do it’ anyways, after all life’s too
short to live in any other way!
- The Forgotten Irish Graduate, 27th January 2013
- The Forgotten Irish Graduate, 27th January 2013