This morning, I stumbled across a post when are you getting a real job? It motivated me to write from my perspective. He wrote that, his parents thought entrepreneurship was just a phase in his life. And he even stopped a job interview process at a prestigious tech firm. I think it is very brave of him to pursue the wild west of entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, I, on the other hand is currently seeking for more security.
I have been a "freelancer" and " entrepreneur" for as long as I remember. The first entrepreneurship experience I had was at the age of 10. I sold cookies and snacks at my elementary school canteen whilst most of my friend would rather study or playing with their friends.
My parents, they were supportive. They even taught me basic marketing, how to do budget, how to do a business deal,and how to do a better packaging.However, pretty much like typical Asian parents, they would still ensure that I had minimal disruption with my school. Only later at around 12 I stopped the business because I prefer focusing on extracurricular activities like marching bands, swimming,painting competition and karate.
Then, at the age of 15 I discovered that I could make money online. It was simply astonishing for me. Back in the day, when PPC, PTC (pay to click), and referral marketing were a thing, I did that with a few of my highschool friends. At that time, I was also helping my father rent car business where I was in charge of being the customer service. All the money I earned was usually spent on traveling since I was and still am, very bad at saving.
I would say, my highschool was pretty much influential phase in my life. I was facing with two choices back in the day, social science or science. I was good at both and wanted to pursue information security and technology. However because I thought if I picked a laid back subject, I'd have more time, I chose social science.
It turned out, my hypothesis was wrong. Sure I had more time but my focus shifted. Instead exploring technology, I enjoyed learning languages and philosophy. I would spend hours memorizing Cyrillic, sanskrit, south slavic languages, Turkish, and compulsory German taught at my school. The idea of learning technology was forgotten even I tried to compete in regional programming competition.
Long short story, in my late year of highschool, I made an online friend who later became my business partner. He introduced me to content writing and how I can monetize websites and writing. I worked for free for about a year and learned as much until I had my first fiverr income.
As my high school was about to end, I was offered various choices. My parents, who are always liberal, made the whole thing slightly difficult. They let me pick anything as long as I am responsible with my choice. For a second, I wished they would have told me to become a doctor, a lawyer, a banker, an accountant but they never did.
So, I picked a major that was proposed by my English teacher.
" You'll do well in English classes" she said.
So I aimed to study at the top universities hoping I could pick either " English, Russian, French or German literature"
Long short story, I got admitted into English Studies.
By the end of the second semester, I couldn't stand it. I hated the whole thing and proposed to study something else. But my parents were saying " But you picked that and there is someone who would be willing to be in your place."
So, I had no choice but to continue. I started caring less about my school. Then I got to be reconnected with my biological mother who then, hired me occasionally to work for her consultant firm as a data entry.
Then, entered now, my ex-boyfriend who pulled me further to understand blockchain and cryptocurrency. I decided to learn about it whilst managing all the small business I had like reselling goods from Ebay, copywriting, private english tutor and translating.
As I broke up with my ex, I seek consolation by traveling full time and abandoning my school. Besides I had more than enough saving to fund my travel for a year. I also managed to get involved in failed startup scene which made me understand a lot more that it's truly a wild west.
Long short story, last year when I was nomading in Bali. I found a blockchain firm where I wanted to work and surprisingly, they had opening. I guess I was too confident even without any degree and "real" working experience. So, I went in and decided to apply. I managed to score an interview but I did so poorly.
Then, I grew tired of traveling and working with uncertainties. Many of my parents (yes I have so many parents ) were also asking about " when are you going to graduate?" " won't it be easier to traveling when you have your degree?" " finish your school then you can travel."
Not to mention, my savings dried up too. So, I had no choice but to go back studying, hoping to finish my degree as fast as I could then, perhaps looking for a "real" job with more consistent salary.
Also, I got slightly intimidated with my friends who began talking about getting a job, finding a job, and all about job. But to make myself feel better, I always say " 22 is still a long way to go." In short, I want to slow down for the next two year. But I am more than happy if there is an opportunity to work remotely, I'd take it any day, and any time.
Originally published : 200 words a day : I want to get a "real" job