3 lessons from the corporate world: my gap years
In the last few years, I was working full-time in the corporate world and left in mid-October. I never would have thought that when I first started, a couple months out of undergrad, that I would be at the firm for almost 3.5 years and leave just as I was starting medical school. Initially, I was hired for a temporary position, and through some unexpected twists and turns, it became a permanent role. An interesting story, for another time perhaps. For now, here are 3 valuable lessons that I learned from the corporate world.
1. Missing academia
I realized early on that I missed academia. I missed the student energy on campus, the stress of exams and uncertainty of the future yet this constant presence of endless opportunities ahead – a youthfulness, an idealism, perhaps naivety. Knowing that innovation is happening all around you. Being surrounded by people who are striving for growth and change, or who at least want to grow and change. That was missing in the workplace.
2. Corporate is not for me
I also learned that the corporate world is not for me. It certainly taught me about money (how to make it and lose it, which is really important) but ultimately, I realized that I’m not driven by money. I understand and appreciate how the bottom line affects businesses, and all their employees. But having observed the mindsets and behaviours that develop when the bottom line is all that matters, I know that I don’t want my life, my values to revolve around it. There has to be a bigger purpose than that.
3. Self-confidence
Finally, working helped me recognize some things I’m good at which gave me self-confidence. Possibly even the confidence I needed to pursue medicine again. I gained confidence in my ability to learn new things and especially problem-solve, to adapt to change and uncertainty, to work with and even manage diverse teams, to negotiate pay, to work with difficult personalities. I know these are all soft skills but ones that are very relevant to a career in medicine.
So I’m grateful for this experience and the lessons that I learned in the corporate world. Perhaps most importantly, I’m grateful, to not only be attending medical school, but to start it with this newfound appreciation for what it’s like to be a student. I didn’t have this when I was in undergrad and in hindsight, I know it made everything harder.
Did you work before before medical school? What did you learn from that experience?
-M
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