Blogs: Charles is in search of greener pastures

Charles Oben graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in French with International Studies. He is now pursuing a career in advertising.

I quit my job.
 
Why? Because I realised I didn't want a career in that industry. I used to be part of the global sales team for Adconion Media Group, a performance-based audience network, and now I'm unemployed.
 
I've had a lot of different reactions from friends to my decision, from confusion to encouragement to shock horror. Some arguments I agree with more than others, particularly the financial ones. Weighing up your financial stability versus career uncertainty can make you think twice about quitting your job. And I understand that many graduates may not be in a position to make the same decision I made for one reason or the other.
 
But I'm determined to find a job I like. And until then, I don't see the point in wasting my time, or anybody else's, doing something I'm not passionate about. Confucius once said, 'Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.' I really like that idea and that's exactly what I plan to do. I'm sure it won't be easy, but most things in life that are worthwhile usually aren't. Knowing what you want, or least what you don't want, is half the battle.
 
Still, that doesn't mean that my time spent with Adconion wasn't useful - far from it. Working there taught me a great deal about online advertising, knowledge I feel will only add to my employability. Also, as far I can tell, having some work experience always beats having none at all, particularly if it's related to the industry you want to work in. For me, that's advertising. I know that for sure. It's just that now I'm looking to move to the agency side.
 
Let's not forget networking - you really shouldn't underestimate it. Since moving to London, I've attended lots of industry events, met lots of people with fingers in lots of different pies and felt the benefits from building up a network of contacts. I'm certain this will come in very handy somewhere down the line. Building and sustaining relationships is important, never let anyone tell you otherwise.
 
Anyway, today was my first day out of work. So what did I get up to? Honestly, not much. I started working before I graduated with no real breaks since then, so I've decided to take a little time to relax. Just a couple of days to recharge my batteries and then I'll draw up my action plan, and set targets for the rest of 2012.
 
First up on my list of targets is to be employed by the end of October. Not an easy task I know, but I've always been someone who likes a challenge - it helps me focus. And with an interview coming up this Wednesday, who knows, I might actually just make it.
 
On a side note, I know lots of talented graduates who are currently struggling to find jobs, and as I've recently joined this group of job searchers, I wanted to leave you with a quote that gets me through the day whenever I'm feeling down, 'Map the horizons of your own journey, and, when the status quo tells you it can't be done, tell the status quo to go to hell' - Umair Haque.