While it’s safe to say I haven’t written as regularly on here as I’d hoped, it provides a good opportunity for reflection. A lot has changed, and I would love to be able to reassure my past self that everything would work out.
My last post was in January 2018, and things were feeling a little bleak while I was searching for a graduate job. I continued temping in a few different admin roles until July 2018, when I moved to Lincoln for 6 months to work for Siemens Gas & Power. It proved to be a great stepping stone, working in engineering roles covering both design and quality for gas turbines. These have a significant crossover with jet engines so it suited my aerospace engineering background well. I settled into a new city, a new house, a new job and was fortunate to make some lovely friends too. I even played badminton! (Racket sports are not usually my forte so this was a pleasant surprise). The old part of Lincoln is a lovely area with quaint shops, the castle and cathedral, and the arboretum. My favourite coffee place was Basecamp Coffee which had a lovely rooftop terrace, though sadly it’s since closed. I’d also recommend Angel Coffee House which is tucked away in a renovated part of an old church. It was a treat to sometimes spot the Red Arrows practicing over the city too!
During my time in Lincoln I was successful in my application for an aerospace graduate scheme, and after some decent time off over Christmas I moved back to Bristol in January 2019. The first few weeks I couldn’t quite believe I’d managed to find my way back as it had been a goal for so long. I’m now on my third placement and have already gained a good breadth of experience, though I’ve found that adapting to workplace environments and situations takes time and isn’t always straightforward.
Bristol harbourside
I moved into a recently refurbished houseshare with several other graduates, which has a lovely garden and is where I still live currently. I made new friends both in work and out (shoutout to AE Dance & Fitness for bringing people together). My highlight of the summer was performing in St Paul’s Carnival in July, a huge annual event in Bristol. The streets were packed and we danced for nearly 3 hours straight! It was so much fun, and I was able to participate through World Fusion with Movema and Rise, a great weekly class offering styles from Reggae to Dancehall to Bollywood.
Looking ahead, my next goals are to finish the graduate scheme and work towards becoming a Chartered Engineer, as well as continuing to save for a house deposit. I want to remain open minded about the future, and do more things that really make me happy. Whether it’s small things like drawing or choreographing dance, or visiting new countries and experiencing new cultures.
Cliftonwood, Bristol
So what have I learnt over the past two years? For one, it’s important to remember that everyone does things at their own pace. Comparison can swiftly hinder progression and motivation, and this can feel increasingly tricky in a world dominated by social media, which too frequently shows the highlight reels of our lives and omits the struggles going on behind the scenes. It’s essential to take time to step back and be proud of what you’ve achieved so far, in between setting goals and looking for the next step forward.
Have you reflected on the past couple of years or even the past decade recently, and what would you like to say to your earlier self?
Alexa
ALEXA ELIZABETH 