04. Shoot your shot

Although I love giving unsolicited advice, I promise to post other content than these semi-philosophical blog entries. The last few weeks have seen slight changes in my current job, which is a role in a team I love. It’s made me realise that things can change without foresight, and you have to be ready to deal with it. At the ripe old age of 23, sometimes (and only sometimes) I feel like I have things under control. Then, I’m reminded I haven’t had the experience in life, in this case professionally, to confidently know what the next step is.

Although it can be confronting, it is refreshing to realise that we aren’t in control of everything and won’t always have the answer. It reminds me that I don’t have experience because I am young, and being young means I have the most time I’ll ever have to change my path. It doesn’t have to be a drastic change, but reassuring that I have time to figure out what’s next. 

Coincidentally, one of my dream companies advertised an incredible role this week, the same week I applied for a new position at my workplace. My lack of experience in the industry of this job is laughable, yet I applied. There would have been a time in my life, not very long ago, when I would have let the job ad pass me by but regretted it days after the ad closed. Despite the chances of me landing the job, I shot my shot.

Just like every student does when applying for a university course. Just like I shot my shot telling my best friend I had feelings for him almost four years ago. It’s kind of like rocking up to someone's house with a homemade dish and hoping they like it, it’s the thought and effort that counts. This week, the task of taking the time to tailor my applications for these roles was enough. I couldn’t be mad at myself for trying, and I think it’s critical to learn how to turn the uncertainty in these situations into a chance to show ourselves that nothing negative comes as a result of trying.