Where are you going?

Well, the pressure of adult life is starting to become noticeable, as I have now officially been unemployed for two whole weeks. In two weeks I've applied to over thirty jobs, have had two interviews, have learned how to do case studies, have learned how to structure a problem, and have received multiple rejections.

In the midst of it all, I've learned a few things and have met a few more people, so by no means has it been a lazy past couple of weeks.

Had brunch at the harbour with my friend Genghis today and he reminded me that money doesn't mean wealth. With that I totally agree and I'm grateful that I have friends here who will confront and be real with me. And I'm not out to get the most money today per se, but for some reason I really feel like I need to set up the opportunity for the future. Or maybe not even for the money, but the power that comes with experience and rank. Because power can be helpful, as can be the money that typically comes with such experience and rank. I think of it like a resource. I don't need super nice stuff but I like to be resourceful.

So it would really help if I knew what I was doing :)

Something that keeps getting me down here are the rejection e-mails that I receive when my applications are unsuccessful. Often the recruiter will write that I have great experience but that my experience does not match that which the employer is looking for and then encourages me to apply again should a suitable position be posted. This bothers me mostly because it feels like I do not get to proceed to the interview because I have the wrong experience. Not lack of, but wrong. As if I chose a path which does not lead to that career which I want. And therefore should continue down the path I already started.

Okay. I'm 28 and I have over five years of analytical experience. Is it really possible that five years ago I chose to pursue the "wrong" type of experience and that if I am to retire at 65, I shall spend the next 37 years only building on the experience that I have built over the previous five?

No.

I'm sure I am taking what is a standard rejection message too seriously, but I can't help but wonder if I did. I know that I didn't, and my life today is pretty awesome and I have met so many great friends, and well, each decision I made I had an impact on how I got here, so one can hardly say I took the wrong path.

Now I just have to figure out what is my next step.