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I made some big decisions this week, which I’m sure will be a relief to all the readers as I am well aware everyone is quite exhausted with my seemingly endless existential crisis.
Before I get to the fun stuff, however, like a pros and cons list of each new city I would like to move to, I want to air something out.
I think we can all agree there is a prolific yet consistently ill-informed generalization that millennials in the workforce are somehow lesser than our older, more dedicated and hardworking colleagues. Now, I don’t believe this stereotype was born entirely out of falsehoods, there are certainly some truths at the crux of the argument, however time and time again studies, authors, and 25-year-old CEOs will prove that millennials aren’t worse at working, we just work differently. I mean, for god sake the world is pretty different these days, so that would make sense.
I know I can’t speak for the entire generation, and there will always be the ones that slack off and cheat the system, but enough with the assumptions. Of course, it absolutely boils my blood when I see a fellow millennial walk into the office with their entitlement showing. I know it’s out there, don’t get me wrong, I just take issue with the rampant generalization and stigmatization of my entire generation.
The worst part of all of this? I think I’m about to be the exact stereotype I despise. After only two years, I am leaving my job.
Right now, I’m in my dream job, or at least I’m in the job I thought was my dream. I worked hard in school, did the unpaid internships plus a waitressing job, networked until my smile hurt, and finally, after 6 months of being an assistant, got the job I always imagined. Now, here I am, in a fancy office with a fancy business card, and after two years, I’m ready to move on.
Isn’t that what they say about us? That we’re career jumpers? That we don’t stay put?
I had to have a long conversation with myself. The hardest thing to discern was if I was unhappy in the industry, or unhappy in this particular position. I am constantly reminded how hard I have worked to get here, couldn’t I be happy or more stimulated if I was just patient and waited to be promoted, or transition to another position?
The answer, which was very hard to admit, is no.
It is not because I don’t want to grind or because I think that another job will be far more glamorous, as I am a firm believer that your first job will never be your “dream job”. That’s just not how it works. I didn’t come into this role thinking it would be all roses, and frankly, the work is actually much more stimulating than I anticipated.
It is because I look at my boss, and his boss, and the c-suite down the hall, and I think to myself; Well, I don’t want their lives either.
I don’t want to do the work they do, I don’t want to spend my career in the industry they’re in, and I don’t think I’d be any more stimulated if I was in their position. And just like that, my question was finally answered.
When it comes down to it, I had to ask myself not if this is where I want to be in 10 years, but if I want to be where my boss’s boss is in 10 years.
If I look at what my mentors do every day, ignoring the glamour and money that comes along with the industry, is that something that I want to strive for?
And do you know what happened? A little voice, deep in my gut screamed; “Motherfucking hell no!”
So there we have it.
Now that I have smashed down the seemingly impenetrable blockade that was standing in between me and a new chapter, it’s like I can breathe again. Yesterday I was doing the thing where I was walking down the street listening to music and I just started to smile for no reason. It’s the giddy feeling that comes with opportunity and adventure, and while I know it won’t last forever, I’m going to ride the wave until reality hits once again.
6 months. 6 months is how long I have to plan my move. I have devised a short list of cities I think I’d like to live, and plan to start the job hunt once I narrow it down. My pros and cons list is below.
Washington, D.C.:
Pros: I went to college in D.C. and I have a solid friend group in the city, including my best friend. That being said, it is probably really good for both our careers and livers that we live across the country from each other.
I have professional connections in D.C., albeit they’re connections from my current career, something I am trying to transition out of.
Cons: I know the city already so it will be incredibly easy and comfortable to go back. It will be exciting at first, the familiarity of it all, but I could quickly fall back into my old college lifestyle which will absolutely not help in my quest to try something new.
Seattle:
Pros: Honestly, I’m not really sure, I’ve just heard everyone say that it’s amazing and that they have really good beer. Plus, it rains so much I won’t feel bad about not working out every single day like I do in LA.
Cons: I know literally nobody in Seattle and I do not fit into the traditional Seattle aesthetic so it may be difficult to find a squad?
San Francisco:
Pros: I know SO many people in San Francisco! It is beautiful, the tech industry is a-boomin’, and there is a shit ton to do.
Cons: It’s still pretty ~west coast~ and I think I’m looking for a bit of a cultural shift. Also, OH MY GOD it’s so expensive!
Chicago:
Pros: The people. There’s something about the fucking people from Chicago that just make me all stoked to be alive.
Cons: Cold. Also, it’s another place I have very few connections both socially and professionally, I’d really be starting over.
New York:
Pros: I can say I did New York. Plus, there’s probably no better city to continue a rapid-fire dating conquest, considering its sheer volume.
Cons: I really don’t want to live in New York. I am not poised to inherit a trust find any time in the near future so I’d probably have to live in a youth hostel or homeless shelter.
Austin:
Pros: I have family littered throughout Austin, so they’d be a solid support system. I have visited many times and enjoy both the lifestyle and proximity to my grandmother.
Cons: Isn’t everyone moving to Austin?
As you can see, this list is a work in progress. Of course, my decision will be swayed heavily by where I find a job, but, considering I moved my life across the country back to LA for a career that I’m now leaving, I have decided to determine where I want to live and then target my job search to that area. Is that insane thing to do?
Anyways, please send thoughts and prayers. I can’t wait until my mom finds out I’m moving by reading about it on her PGP app.
Also, I have no fucking idea what my LinkedIn password is..
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CallMeVictoria
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I will be your friend if you move to Chicago. Top notch city all the way around.
You guys can take instas together by the bean. Soooo cool!
My wife and I got engaged at the bean.
Engaged at the bean AND honeymooned at Disneyland?
Like, on purpose?
Well it was spur of the moment but yeah.
Who the hell gets engaged ‘”spur of the moment”? Did she take a pregnancy test in the Millennium Park bathroom?
I had other plans to get engaged(at the Renaissance Faire in WI) but she had to do some last minute stuff at her mom’s, so I booked a restaurant reservation and then we went downtown, I took her to the Bean, and got down on one knee. We just celebrated one year of marriage together.
I’ve got 99 problems, but an engagement at the bean ain’t one.
Congrats?
That’s a shame
Shoot your shot.
I’d throw Charlotte, NC into the mix. I’ve lived in 3 of your cities mentioned and they were all fun. You are 2 hours from the mountains and 3 from the beach down here in NC. The cost of living is also relatively cheap for a decent sized city. Just a thought to check out. Good luck.
I’m adding to list, thank you!
Third on Charlotte. All the benefits of a large city without most of the problems. Living within walking distance of uptown or the light rail is so clutch
Seconded on Charlotte. It’s growing a lot and if you’re putting Seattle in for the beer, Charlotte is up there too. It doesn’t have quite the traffic of all those places and is headquarters to a surprising number of businesses. Not sure what industry you’re aiming for, but there are plenty there.
I love the light rail
Good point. For a big city it’s affordable with many things to do.
YES! So much good beer, food scene is catching up, close to mountains and awesome beaches, professional sports teams, lots of young people, and won’t break the bank. So many finance bros though… not that I don’t love them
Charlotte? I’ve heard the traffic is hella insane. If I’d move anywhere in NC, it’d be to Raleigh. I have friends there and they love it out there.
With all do respect, don’t bring Raleigh into this. We don’t need more people.
If you decide Austin, you have a standing sup
ask her to dance, dude
It wouldn’t be difficult to find an employer with offices in each of the locations you listed. Why not look for a 3 year rotational program that moves you around on the company card.
What a dream that would be
Commenting this here bc I just read your HTHU article, how do you do the “Just got home” routine if you live with your parents? Maybe I miss understood
Gr8 question rickflairwoo. i have a place i furnished and run as an Airbnb, but i squat there when it’s empty. Should have clarified!
Lolwat?
Nice Cashflow
Considering all millennials have investment based retirement accounts instead of pensions, you need to be changing positions, and getting a decent pay increase, every few years to maximize early career earnings so that extra money has longer to grow in your retirement account. Due to the time value of money, its okay to sacrifice late-career salary maximums for more money now. Also the Carolinas seem nice and id be there if I didnt love new england.
Be aware of your 401k vesting schedule. When I had one foot out the door I stuck around for just a little longer so I would be 100% vested instead of 80%
Can confirm, left previous job two months early, lost out on $3500.
Move to Columbus, Get 95% of the benefits listed in the other cities but for 50% of the cost. You’ll also be within driving distance of Nashville, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Charlotte. Plus you can hop on the PGP Columbus Reddit thread and join the group chat
I really don’t understand why employers say workers are no longer loyal. I’m friendly with my boss, but I also know she wouldn’t hesitate to throw me out on the street if she had a business reason to do so. Likewise, she should also understand that if my circumstances change, I’m not thinking twice before leaving my job
Here’s an out of the box take: throw down on the Tesla semi-truck. Turn the trailer into a livable, cozy living space, cover the outside with solar tiles, hook solar tiles up to an inverter, Buy Tesla power packs and scale them so you can run the truck and all electricity needs from your power reserves. Travel all over wherever you want for literally free, sell some of your power reserves back to the grid by offering electricity to small businesses that let you park in their lots over night. Back the system and life completely while taking remote freelance work to feed yourself and love the absolute dream
No love for Atlanta? The weather is dope like 85% of the year, the food is awesome, the people are nice, and there’s all kinds of culture and things to do. Now, our sports teams will never have nice things and the traffic can be ridiculous so there’s that. Its also surprisingly affordable and welcoming.
Plus y’all have fat matts rib shack. That place fucks
I lived in ATL and loved it. I want to move back there soon. There’s always something going on there and living is affordable (stay away anything below Midtown).