Why should your first job be at a startup?

It’s your last semester at university, you make a checklist of various recruitment drives happening at your campus and eagerly wait for your career service officer to send you emails about a job opportunity. Your life basically revolves around getting that most sought-after gold star corporate job where you stress yourself over excelling at their gamified assessments and pray that you are selected for the next round.

You are still unsure about what you want to do in life and where you fit in the overall corporate picture- you’re unsure about what your calling is in life,? but thinking about getting an entry-level high paying job with a fancy office and numerous benefits is something that gives you an instant dopamine rush. To be honest, I was the same but the emerging startup space in Pakistan really intrigued me as well. My Linkedin would be bombarded with different startups being launched -- everywhere I would see a new idea being introduced,? a new vision and new problem being solved to help ordinary people in the realest sense - solving their money problems, transport issues and empowering SMEs to count the least.?

As a confused undergrad, I decided to enter into this chaotic yet celebrated startup world, to explore and see what it really takes to make magic (read: real impact)? happen. Therefore, I took a leap of faith in the idea and hopped onto one; so as to surround myself with mentors who fuel my growth, nurture me, spark my creativity and push me towards achieving my eureka moment.?

One thing you should know about getting into the startup world is that everyday is going to be exciting, everyday a new challenge will be posed in front of you,? and you'll be empowered to solve it , in essence see real life impact being created. So, if challenging yourself and pushing yourself to your limits, going an extra mile and willing to grow at a lightning speed is something which galvanizes you then you should surely onboard this journey

Here are some lessons I have learned and want to share with you all about taking the plunge and diving into the startup world - any startup whose mission, vision, and values align with yours

• Ask yourself if you have entrepreneurial spirit and are impact driven.

This question is essential before breaking into the startup world - it will give you clarity, courage and perseverance which will help you settle and? reach heights?

• Your personal and professional growth will be exponential?

Startups are chaotic and less structured therefore your job description does not wholly define your role. One has to? play the jack of all trades card? and that comes with taking on ownership and contributing towards the company’s overall mission?

• You’re inspired by innovators and want the chance to seek their mentorship?

As teams are small and lean, founders directly work with you even if you are an intern. The experience to learn from these curious and brilliant individuals is? remarkable. You will learn a tonne and will make a tonne of mistakes too. But here, your mentors will nudge you to think more strategically and turn your mistakes into learning opportunities?

• Culture?

Culture is one of the major reasons why one should opt working for a startup. You should be surrounded by people who motivate and inspire you. You should feel happy waking up in the morning and showing up to work, give your high fives to peers and work together, approach challenges together, and solve problems together with determination and one goal in mind - to create impact?

So, this is all folks - my two cents on why you should give startups a chance. My name is Umaima, and? I kickstarted my career with Oraan to embark on their mission to make money simple for everyone, especially women. Currently,? I am working in their People Operations department - trying to bring order to the chaos, one step at a time