By Jhon Steven C. Espenido
SURIGAO CITY ( MindaNews) – This question has been asked of me multiple times lately by people who, in the back of their minds, expect me to wear corporate attire. At times, I find myself unsure of how to respond. While it’s a seemingly simple question usually posed to someone who has just recently graduated, I can’t help but feel its “side effect” although I understand the curiosity behind it—it’s either a gesture of genuine concern or, at its worst, it can make one feel pressured by the harsh realities of the world. Among the myriad of questions I face, this one bothers me the most. It’s as though my sense of freedom is being questioned.
Where do you work? There’s always this classic joke for fresh graduates: “Congratulations, you’re now officially unemployed!” It’s a stark reminder of the expectations people have after college – that finding a job should be immediate and should be something that aligns with your course or program. However, the reality is far from this one-size-fits-all notion, as career paths are diverse and often require consequential exploration beyond initial expectations.
Moreover, recently I stumbled upon a Facebook post—a screenshot of an old tweet from the FTTM (Follow The Trend Movement) page. It’s been circulating again, garnering a lot of shares (I even shared it myself). The post reads, “Believe me when I say your most difficult days won’t be your thesis days. It will be the time after graduation when you’re finding out what and who you wanna be, trying to land a job, and getting existential crisis due to the feeling of lack of purpose… all at once.” Reading this, I couldn’t help but nod (a couple of times) in agreement.
Where do you work? The “post-grad” existential crisis is a natural phenomenon that I now acknowledge as a normal part of life. The period between graduation and mapping a path forward is a transitional phase. At any rate, it is daunting to get a grip on “adulting” and suddenly face the responsibilities and expectations of adulthood or simply life after graduation. This phase often highlights one’s state of inertia or, conversely, direction toward greener pastures. But as for me, I want to be that person who prioritizes mental health over anything else that only brings discomfort.
Interestingly, after completing my degree with flying colors, people around me eagerly await my next steps. Despite this, I still feel a sense of freedom and proportion. More importantly, my concept of adulthood has evolved—it’s not solely about what you are as a job description or where you’re employed, but also about finding peace and fulfillment in what you do and where you are in life as of this very moment. I believe I am well-versed now in understanding the importance of personal growth and contentment alongside professional achievements.
Where do you work? I am currently working on finding the answer to this question while looking forward to all the greatness that’s in store for me – little by little.
(Batang Mindanaw is the youth opinion section of MindaNews. Contributions from young Mindanawons are welcome in this section. Jhon Steven C. Espenido, 23, writes from Surigao City.)
