What Happens to Your Life After School?

5 min

Do you know what the numbers 2080 and 4160 mean?

These numbers represent the hours most young people spend in their first two years of work. 2080 hours is the typical workload for one year. Imagine spending that time in a job that doesn’t excite or fulfill you—a significant waste, not just of time, but of potential. While earning money might seem like a priority, it’s important to remember that money can be earned in many ways, but lost time is something you can never get back.

The Reality of Unfulfilling Work

Picture this: You start your day with a sense of dread, performing tasks mechanically just to get through the day. Every hour feels like an eternity, and even the smallest interaction with colleagues stresses or irritates you. Now, contrast this with a different scenario: You wake up motivated, eager to tackle the day because you know the work you do matters. You check your phone to find an email from a satisfied client, knowing that your work has made a positive impact on someone’s life. This sense of fulfillment energizes you, sparking new ideas that excite you even further.

Is the second scenario easier to achieve? Perhaps not. But is it worth it? Absolutely.

The Path to Job Satisfaction

Having worked with over 200 young people, through more than 500 hours of coaching, we’ve discovered a crucial truth: Job satisfaction—and even joy—is not only possible but essential for long-term success. The belief that work and pleasure are mutually exclusive is outdated. In fact, finding pleasure in your work is the key to excelling far beyond mediocrity.

At the heart of achieving this balance is the Career rEvolution program from the “Edu Compass” foundation. This proprietary career orientation program offers a proven algorithm to help you find the job that aligns with your passions and strengths, no matter where you are in your career journey.

Here’s how you can start right now:

1. Forget your excuses

Common excuse: “I chose to study this because I’m good at math. After graduation, I’ll find a job—such professionals are in demand now.”

Reality check: Choosing a career based on ease or current demand can lead to long-term dissatisfaction. Don’t settle for a robotic, unfulfilling job. Be courageous and focus on what you truly desire to achieve, rather than what’s simply available.

2. Discover Your Strengths and Work on Them

No one became a millionaire by relying solely on ideas. Success requires knowing your talents and interests, and then deciding which to develop. Talent isn’t something you can learn; it’s something you cultivate over time. This continuous development is what sets truly successful people apart from those merely counting the hours until the workday ends.

3. Create a Vision

Consider three key aspects: What do you want to get from your job? What can you offer? What do you want to see happen in your workplace? The clearer your vision, the easier it will be to navigate your career. A strong vision helps you avoid unsuitable jobs and empowers you during interviews and negotiations with potential employers.

Are you ready to take the first step toward a fulfilling career? Join the Catapult Your Career program—a specialized initiative designed to help young people like you kick start their careers with confidence and clarity.

Understand your passion and aptitudes – discover what truly excites you and where your strengths lie.

Build essential success skills – develop crucial skills like goal setting, problem-solving, and resilience that will set you apart in any industry.

Experience real growth through a series of structured assessments, personalized feedback, and hands-on experiences, you’ll gain the clarity and skills needed to succeed in your chosen field. Don’t let another 2080 hours slip by in a job that doesn’t fulfill you. Start your journey with the Catapult Your Career program today and take control of your future.