Finished studying, what am I now?

[tertius]

It just dawned on me.

I just finished studying full-time. And I'm not self-employed. (Will be independent in about 4 months.

My occupation isn't student anymore. What do I call myself? Self-employed?

[kthdsn]

You are who you are, why do you need a label?

[RT Wolf]

is that a "now" or "not self-employed"?

Well, I'd suggest not attaching yourself to labels like that. A word can't even hope to define the totality of all that is you. A few months ago I stopped defining myself by that sorta thing and today I'm doing a lot more diverse things and having a lot more fun than when I was before. It was a good belief shift for me, it might help you, as well.

That and I believe that everyone always remains a student, just the teacher changes to life, and/or themselves.

HTH

[David Hausladen]

Self-identification is useful when it's empowering, but it can also be very problematic.

For example, I call myself a writer, even though I'm fairly new in the field and haven't published anything yet. It's a way of telling my subconscious and the universe that I am primarily defining my career around writing and I am fully capable of making writing my career. One effect of this is that as a writer, I feel like I should spend a significant portion of my time writing (which could be a benefit or a disadvantage, depending on the situation).

Identifying myself as a writer affects my reactions as well. If someone says, "Teachers suck," I may disagree with what they're saying, but my ego doesn't encourage me to attack (verbally or otherwise) the person who said it. If someone says, "Writers suck," then my ego is likely to tell me to fight back, even if they didn't intend to insult me.

All I'm saying is that self-identification can be useful or disempowering, depending on how conscious you are of how it affects you.

[mustard76]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

Well, I'd suggest not attaching yourself to labels like that.

I've found that you often need to describe your occupation to people regardless of how difficult it is.

A couple of years ago I was separated from my job after my employer went bankrupt. I used the opportunity to start a small business out of my apartment. At the same time, I set out to find a new day job by attending networking events and other professional/social gatherings.

Everywhere I went people would ask, "what do you do?". At first I told them I was a laid off programmer, but that was a real downer and conversation killer. So, I quickly learned to tell people that I was an entrepreneur. Not only did the "entrepreneur" label help me make contacts, but I began to see myself in a new light. Once I realized that I wanted to be an entrepreneur, I started looking for a day job where I could learn from experienced entrepreneurs. I found a job that allowed me to learn entrepreneurial skills and build my business on the side. I continue to tell people I'm an entrepreneur, even though I work as a programmer during the day.

Conclusion: I think it _is_ important to stop and think about how you would describe yourself. For me, it helps to describe myself as an entrepreneur who happens to have a day job.

[Leonard]

Originally Posted by tertius

It just dawned on me.

I just finished studying full-time. And I'm not self-employed. (Will be independent in about 4 months.

My occupation isn't student anymore. What do I call myself? Self-employed?

Well, there are only 3 names you can give yourself. If you are working for someone, you're an employee. If you are working for yourself, then self-employed. And the last, which is also the worst of all 3, is unemployed. So take your pick.

Lastly, why do you even care?

[Holden McNeil]

I'd be tempted to respond to "What do you do?" with a Brad Pitt impersonation of "You are not your job..." but doubt it would go well.

"Entrepreneur" is totally versatile, and it goes great at parties. Even if it's not an official business yet, you just say what you're planning on doing and people will be interested.

[tertius]

Firstly, I wasn't being as serious as some of you might have thought.

Eg. "Oh no! I don't have a label, I can't continue living because my label is my purpose!"

On the one hand, I was sharing that I am not a student anymore, and I've been studying for 5 years, so it is exciting and I didn't even realize it until I thought about it!

On the other hand I do have to write down something when I'm asked, and I also need to be able to tell people what I do. Like mustard76 said.

And I don't really know what to tell people, maybe I should actually write it down. Be able to give my "job description" or rather "venture description" in 30 seconds.

That kinda thing.

This is not about finding my identity in a label, this is just knowing what I'm doing.

And also knowing what I'm gonna write down, largely due to not really having thought about being on my own now...

[tertius]

Also I've noticed people getting really excited when I say that I will be working for myself...

It's nice to see that, but I don't get it. I really could never work for anyone and not have a business myself!