Losing My First Job Out Of University
Hello everybody,
Context for the following can be found in the link below:
I Need Advice Please - First Job Out Of University : r/auscorp
TL; DR: I am a 21M graduating in a Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology) and a Cert IV in Cybersecurity in June. I am fortunate and privileged enough to be living with family who offered to cover all expenses.
It's been four months since I've made that post and I'd just like to say; I am grateful that I stuck around - I've learnt so much and have gained experience in so many things in the HR space! I recently had a conversation my boss - the CPO for our company and my supervisor - and they've said I've developed so quickly, and my technical and soft skills have improved so much (to the point that they've trusted me with so many executive-facing responsibilities).
Saying that, its EOFY and due to unforeseen political and economic factors (obviously) that has had a direct impact in our business (missing revenue targets for the past few months) this next FY26 budget might be the company's first financial contraction after 4 years of extreme growth. I was pulled aside yesterday by my boss and the supervisor, and they've briefed me with the situation - my role may be facing redundancy as the budget is dictated by the board and they have no influence in it unfortunately. I am grateful that they've extenuated the fact that it MIGHT happen - not a certainty, and that if it does it has nothing to do with ME personally, fit or competency wise, as they've said that I've lit up the office with my presence ever since I started. Especially as a new grad who still struggles with imposter syndrome - this has been very self-confirming. I find it odd though because in my entire time here work has only been slow in the past few weeks. I've also been recently added on LinkedIn by a bunch of my stakeholders oddly enough.
They proposed the opportunity to move horizontally to a customer-facing / operations / finance role that has nothing to do with what I've been learning or I'm passionate in as they've stated that they want me to stay in the business regardless. Saying that, I'm only four months in and only recently been refining the new skills I've obtained. I know the objectively pragmatic best decision would be to take this opportunity but as a 21M who's only ever done that it feels like if I take this - I'd be letting life happening to me instead of coming from me; like I'm not even fighting for what I want - betting on the odds. I know it's irrational in this unforeseen economic situation, and I'm really grateful to have a role, but in a subjectively emotional sense, it feels like a dangerous precedent to set for myself at this point of my life - to give up on what I want before I call it quits. I understand that career pivots are necessary - that's why I've upskilled myself with a Cert IV in Cybersecurity at the same time as my degree and working full time. I FEEL like I've done enough for the moment.
I don't know what I'm looking for with this post - it FEELS like articulating these emotions has grounded me in some way and I believe that seeking perspective from the OTHER (Reddit) confirms my reality. If you were me, a 21M at this stage of my life, what would YOU do?