#Classof2020 - Through an Insider's Lens
To answer "What's it like to graduate in the middle of a pandemic?" - A record of my thoughts & experiences as a graduate from NUI Galway's MSc. Business Analytics
TL;DR It’s tougher than you think, but I’m still hanging on :D
Little did I know when I made the decision to pursue my Masters that I would be pushed out into a harsh professional landscape.
It feels like a game whose levels progressed with exponential difficulty.
Level 1: Online Classes
The shift to online classes took place rather smoothly at NUIG thanks to Blackboard -the online learning management system already in place. Perhaps we did not face the challenges of online classes as it was almost the end of the semester.
Level 2: Group Assignments & Capstone Project
The comfort of meeting in an empty classroom, a cafe on campus or the library meeting rooms was dearly missed. Microsoft Teams proved to be the next best thing. The number of group assignments seemed excessive as we experienced the issues of working remotely and learned from them. The rocky road was good prep for the capstone project which was worth 20 credits.
Level 3: Online Exams
For the MSc. Business Analytics programme, all exams were converted into individual assignments that could be worked on at our own pace. It avoided the pressure of timed online tests which can lead to the opinion that the online exams were lower on the difficulty scale. Personally, the exams were more stressful as I had to motivate myself everyday in the midst of the lockdown. I set tighter deadlines for myself so that I did not become complacent. In retrospect, I should’ve given it more time.
Level 4: Job Hunt
Only a handful of peers wouldn’t label the job hunt the toughest phase yet. The current situation has challenged every job seeker out there. Not just the class of 2020. It is a tough scenario for those starting out in their careers. Rejection emails, ghosting, lack of responses, hanging conversations and the occasional promise of hope let down due to some reason or the other have made us impervious to the emotions that follow. Sometimes I’m full of energy to give it my best. Other times, I’m dragging myself to the weekend. This is an ongoing phase and I’m more than 2 months into it. Perseverance is the key to success. So, I shall continue to curate my CV, network virtually and work towards finding a place where I can be an asset.
The lines of demarcation between hours and weeks may have blurred for many of us, but it is all about proactively getting back on track. The circumstances have pushed our limits far beyond our imagination. It has expanded our resilience and boosted the will to better ourselves. Onwards and upwards! #ClassOf2020
