1-1-1: career advice for 20-somethings

read about how I've been learning to stick to my own path, re-learning balance and priorities, and an uplifting quote for your week.

october, 2024

edition 51.

between: project 50 reels on insta, this newsletter (<3), some brand things (so grateful!!), a social life, getting back into working out, my full-time job, and studying for the GRE.. there truly just is not enough hours in the day.

it’s that point in my life (again) where I need to slow down, sit down, and take stock of what I’m pouring my time and energy into. I keep complaining that I don’t have enough time — maybe I just need to cut down the amount of *things* that are taking up my time (not maybe, definitely).

you guys will hear so much more about balance as I learn n grow n change n shift in these next few weeks/winter months. so buckle up !!!

also in honour of our linkedin feeds being filled w summer internship announcements and endless job openings with 100+ applicants, let’s talk about career :)

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you can expect one email from me every week containing:

• one quote that has been inspiring me

• one journal prompt

• one piece of advice*

* = if you want to submit a question for my upcoming emails, you can find the form here.

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podcast

there are tons of guest episodes on the podcast from 2024 that are worth checking out — listen to them here <3

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one quote

“‘what if I got worse’ good point. but what if you got better and lived up to your full potential and accomplished all of your dreams and lived your best life and felt content with what the universe was giving you?”

— stuckinapril via tumblr

one journal prompt

what would a perfect day in my life look like?

one piece of advice

“how to work out who you want to be, and make sure you don't get caught up with everyone elses goals and dreams? especially in your career, I feel like I am applying for internships etc. because I should, but not really sure if this is the right direction for me :)”

hi hello I am probably the best example of someone who did not get caught up in anyone else’s goals and dreams and is chugging along in my own life path!!! if that makes no sense, let’s review:

• moved to the US from HK when I was 15 because I decided I wanted a fresh start + the IB school system was not working with my brain

  • redid my freshman year of high school for an easier transition

• chose a bachelors degree in economics (and added sociology as well) with a vague goal of going to the London School of Economics in some capacity after I graduate…

  • went to a 3 week summer intensive course for behavioural economics which (1) helped me complete my double degree because I got college credit for it and (2) showed demonstrated interest in the school which was helpful for my application

  • and I made it happen & got my masters there :)

• instead of going to get an industry job, I chose a pre-doc program (lower pay, more research focused) and my coworkers are people who graduated undergrad in may — putting them approx 1.5 years younger than me

• decided to *try* and apply for my phd next fall, putting me at a ‘26 start, 3 years after I graduated my undergrad

there have been many times I’ve doubted my path : some people can go straight into a phd program from their undergrad because they get their sh*t together early and apply during their senior year. some people (like one of my good friends) only take one year between their undergrad and grad program. I’m taking at least 3 years (and yes, one extra degree in between but still) out of my undergrad to go into a very intense program with no industry experience (not that you need any, but still).

but if I went straight into a phd program or didn’t take these years to build up my skills, confidence, and hone my interests, I could have ended up in a very different program or feel way out of my depth or not even be interested in pursuing a phd in the first place. the point is, I took my time. even with all the self doubt, I took my time.

this world favors a specific type of person. they’re always the one who are the loudest about their path, most extroverted, and ““do the best”” on whatever metric you’re comparing them to. just because that’s all we see, it doesn’t mean that’s all there is.

all of these “non-traditional” paths to success you hear people speaking about are valid too. (also, your definition of ‘success’ is probably different to the people around you). measure your life by how it makes you feel, not how it looks to others.

as long as you take the best next step in front of you, you won’t go wrong. hindsight is 20/20 :)

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reading updates

currently reading: how the king of elfhame learned to hate stories by holly black (#3.5)

finished this week:

• the queen of nothing by holly black (#3)

reading challenge: 40/50, on track

if you want to keep up with my reading throughout the week, this is my goodreads :)

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discount codes

these links are affiliate which means I'll earn commission if you purchase through them. thank you for the support!

• FreeSoul: 15% off with code katieeu

• D.Louise: 15% off with code katieeu

• lululemon: my current list of favourite things (aff link)

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enjoyed this edition?

until we meet again,

katie