A decade and career later I found myself back on the train to England.
The last weekend of January was an exact decade ago I got on a train to England to join the Corkscrew – Different Minds programme. “A different mind of thinking” is still the tagline. But Corkscrew has gone through a lot of growth since then, just like me. Back in the day it was about how to build a start-up and kick start your career.
And did it? Kickstart my career?
There have been many things I have done before joining the programme that helped me out in the future. It is most of the time the little choices that have the biggest effect.
However, I can say with full confidence that Corkscrew changed my life in more ways than one. During the programme I was pushed, by my mentor Neil, to think differently with the help of projects/exercises/internship that allowed me to go beyond the textbook stuff. This programme changed my daily approach to life. The little choices, but also big career moves.
During the programme I made a promise to myself: when I make x amount of dreams come true, I will return back to Exeter. Timeline: 5 years.
In less than 4 years I returned back.
This time the programme had new mentors one of them being Jordan. Over the next few days I worked alongside him and the new students to create the start of their flourishing career.
I did this during my holiday of my work as Junior Director Communications of a museum. Why? Well, why not? A holiday should give you energy and this gives me energy. Besides, you never know who you are going to meet.
Time went by, but 2,5 years later Jordan put me in touch with Alaya from FirstGens. I was part of the start of that company without knowing, but I do remember the essay I wrote to her about my own experience of being a first-generation student.
Another 2 years later I became the Community Manager of FirstGens. A role that inspired me so much that I decided to change up my own company that back then focused on marketing consulting. I wanted to focus on project management, strategy, marketing, data, content creation, socials with the community always in mind.
A weekend that could feel like any other, but to me will always be special. It was that weekend 10 years ago when I made the biggest ripple effect of my career. A career that has given me so much joy, created my current company that is a thriving business and is everything I hoped it would be all those years ago. Freelance and I am able to work from anywhere in the world. *I just returned from living abroad in Vienna, Austria*
Coincidence or not, but that same weekend 10 years later I got back on the train to England. For a holiday. To meet up with friends and do some shopping. Although who knows who I met this time around and where that path will take me?
I just got back from my time in England and had the time of my life walking through the streets, exploring and revisiting places. It was an experience to say the least.
10 years ago I hopped on the bus in London to another city called Exeter.
10 years later I spent a week in London to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Back then I went as a 19 year old girl with so many dreams.
This time around I went as a 29 year old woman because I made my dreams happen.
A 19 year old moved her life to a different country with an EU scholarship.
A 29 year old created a life for herself that makes it possible to travel as much as she wants.
I am aware that it is boujee to go on holiday straight after coming back from living in a different country, but this is the life I always hoped to live and worked incredibly hard to make it happen.
But it’s not just me. It’s also the people I surround myself with that made my career happen. People who inspire me in what to do or what absolutely not to do. During my holiday I met some lovely (new) people, connected with them over drinks. But I also met up with a coworker of mine back when I still worked for FirstGens. Last but not least, the person for whom I made this trip for, a friend of mine who I met back in the summer of 2016 in Berlin.
See how strange life can be? When in wonder why people make the trips they do, I always hope they meet some of the most amazing people around the globe. Because life is simply more fun sharing. Views, stories and whatever we can offer another person.
That’s that. This is how I made ripple effects in my career. Daring to put myself in unknown situations. Daring to connect with people who I might find myself to be friends with. Daring to learn from them and be inspired.
Sometimes you just need to get on a train and who knows where you will find yourself in a decade’s time.
But for now: so long, London! This city will always be a reminder of my dreams and how I am so grateful. But there are more dreams to achieve and I cannot wait to make them all happen. For now I just enjoy the ride on my way.
Love,
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