Spring time and dreams

                                      

I decided to continue the story on this blog, which faithfully served me last time on my trip to the Caribbean in August 2018. The name has only changed a little. I'll be writing all kind of things during the spring / summer 2019. But topics are mainly focus on travel plans, health, money saving tips, the difficulty of working life, development cooperation, jobs at NGO field etc. Please feel free to suggest any other topics. 

But the main goal is to give a support and encouragement to other young people (perhaps also to highly educated humanists who are internationally oriented) who struggle with the challenges of working life. I want to illuminate my own life situation and remind that you should never give up and always believe in yourself. I will also tell you how risk-taking, however, can be a good thing.

Let's go back to my initial situation, but first some background information. I officially graduated from the University of Jyväskylä at the end of 2016 with a master's degree in Ethnology. The aim was to conduct a master's program in civil society expertise, but I was too lazy. My plan was to complete my degree with separate courses to support my professional orientation. The master thesis was the most challenging thing even I enjoyed the process of doing a research. At that time, however, there were other worries in my life that “ate my resources in mentally”. I also studied UN-related courses concerning sustainability in development. I really enjoyed my studies throughout the university and had amazing memories. I can’t be more than grateful for the high quality and free education in Finland. It is a pity, however, that the appreciation of the human sciences at the working field is low and employment is even harder if you do not have relations to any organizations (or already more than 5 years of work experience as a student but it seems to be an impossible).

During my studies, I did not officially work at the NGO field but I was volunteering time by time. I used my energy mainly to have different part-time jobs. In the worst times, the University's 2,60 euros lunch was a luxury. Jyväskylä was a nice little town with fantastic landscapes. In 2012-2013 I was an exchange student in Malawi (see https://exchangeperiodinmalawi.blogspot.com/) and in autumn 2014 intern in South Africa (see https://siyakubonanamylifeinsouthafrica.blogspot.com/). After those years, I left the campus behind and I was super confident about the future.

I had some great plans how I could get a place from an international organization with a good salary. But the life really doesn’t go like that. Not even the highest university degree guarantees a way to the better life, at least not in Finland. At the field of human sciences is difficult to find jobs without experience or sufficient relations. So that is why I didn’t do radical decisions after I graduated. I already lived in Helsinki in a small apartment. At the same time, I was actively looking for jobs and I got several interviews from different organizations and companies. In the end I was so tired that I decided to accept what was offered to earn some money. I worked through that company in a big financial group. The job was not related to my field, but I was still happy to be there. I was satisfied because of the regular monthly salary, although the job itself did not offer any challenges. But for the first time in my life, I felt good at job, thanks to my amazing ex-colleagues. They were the best company. During that year, I got a lot of courage and confidence to work with different people.

Now, I've been relaxing the last couple of months. I officially quit the job at the end of November 2018 and the first couple of weeks I was like in a coma because all the stress just released. I had the mental pressure during the last 1,5 years because I used to work over 12-14 hours per day. I was feeling a terrible. However, in my mind I had a strong dream to travel around the world and of course saving money for a bad day. I am a very determined person and if I want to achieve something, I will do it no matter what. During the last month I've had time to sleep more, eat well, play sports, meet friends and so on.

The year 2019 is here! I have sent some job applications to organizations. I have also studied spontaneously few online courses related to the project management. Many people have tried to advise me to look for other jobs which are not related to my field. For me it is an impossible idea. I don't want to spend again for 5-6 years to sit on the school bench. Let's say that work on humanitarian aid and at the NGO field is like a vocation. I have myself a strong desire to do something meaningful to mankind. Luckily in Finland we have several options to push yourself into the working life. I do not think that the help offered by the TE office (Employment and Economic Development Office) should be ignored. At least if you are a young and freshly graduated and you need support for early career. Finnish people have negative perceptions of the current active model for unemployed persons which has many drawbacks that decision makers have not thought enough. I think that the opportunities offered by the TE office (as well as the benefits from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) are good ways to increase skills for working life for example various short-term courses, practical training etc. I would be interested to continue to PhD because I love to do research. On the other hand, I would also like to have more experience of the NGO field in Finland and international relations. I have been actively involved in the Finnish- Africa Society's activities and it is a good start to strength my skills.

So many things in my head right now, I'll let you know more later. Let's focus on the spring time. <3