The Bean Voyage session on Thursday (26.09.2024) was a heartfelt and wide-ranging discussion centred on helping Cléa, an 18-year-old French girl living in Seoul, navigate her career choices and university options. Facilitated by Frank, the conversation included contributions from women of varying backgrounds—Sylvie, Babette, Monica, and Cléa herself—who shared their experiences, offering advice, perspective, and provocation.
Cléa began by expressing her confusion over what direction to take. While she’s passionate about communication, journalism, and event planning, she’s unsure whether to study in France, the UK, or Canada. She is also torn between studying in English or French, feeling the weight of making the right decision. “It was supposed to be easier for me because I was in a school with a lot of pressure… everyone goes to very elitist schools around the world,” she said, reflecting on the intense academic environment in Seoul that pushes students towards prestigious global universities. “I don’t really know what I want to do in the future. I need to stop thinking too much, but I’m anxious about what will happen.”
Sylvie, who works in Germany but is from France, offered a story that mirrored Cléa’s current uncertainty. Her eldest daughter, now finishing a bilingual childcare program in Germany, initially struggled with the language barrier. “At the beginning, it was very, very hard for her because she is not bilingual,” Sylvie explained. Despite her daughter’s doubts, she persevered, and Sylvie is now proud of her progress. “Now she will finish… but after, she doesn’t know what she wants to do either. That’s the big question.” Sylvie emphasized that finishing the program gave her daughter a foundation, even if she wasn’t sure about her next step.
Sylvie’s advice was rooted in patience and resilience. Sometimes, she implied, the act of finishing what you start provides stability for future decisions. “I understand how hard it is to decide at 17 or 18 what you want to do with your life… but finishing something gives you a foundation to work from.” Her tone was encouraging but practical, underscoring that uncertainty is normal, but perseverance through challenges offers valuable outcomes.
Monica, speaking from Adelaide, Australia, emphasized the importance of happiness in career decisions. She shared her daughter’s journey, who initially aimed to be a veterinarian but ended up studying corporate sustainability. “Even the day before she left for university, she was unsure whether to do veterinary science or economics. She ended up changing to corporate sustainability, and she’s happy now.” Monika’s message was simple but profound: “You have to do something that makes you happy. It’s not like the old days when people stayed in the same job for 50 years. Now, you can start somewhere and end up somewhere completely different.”
Monica’s advice highlighted how important it is to follow what brings you joy. “Follow what you enjoy because if you’re stuck doing something for years that you don’t love, it’s hard. But also, remember that your likes may change, and that’s okay. You have time to change.”
Babette, who also faced a career shift, added another layer of practicality to the discussion. After working briefly as a legal assistant, she transitioned to the hotel industry, despite it not being her original dream. Then, she left the industry and now works as a Customer Care Agent. “It wasn’t my plan, but I was happy to get training,” Babette admitted. “Now, I’m working with customers, solving problems, and it makes me happy. I enjoy talking to customers and helping them.” She emphasized that sometimes happiness comes from the small victories and simple tasks. “I get satisfaction from making an unhappy customer happy, and that makes me feel good.” Her story underscored the importance of practicality, suggesting that finding fulfilment in work often comes in unexpected ways.
Frank, as the facilitator, wasn’t content to simply listen. He challenged Cléa to think more critically about what she’s good at, rather than focusing on what seems glamorous. “Cléa, maybe the question isn’t what you want to do, but what are you good at?” This question struck a chord with Cléa, prompting her to reflect on her strengths. “I’m good at organizing things, I’m creative, and I like talking to people… I really enjoy listening to people’s stories.”
Frank didn’t stop there. He pushed Cléa to consider that many jobs in her generation don’t even exist yet, and she may end up in a completely different field than she envisions. “You’re focusing on the big names—Dior, Chanel, luxury management… but why not focus on the skills you already have? You can use those in countless ways.” He also posed a challenging question: “Do you really think the glamorous jobs will make you happy?”
Cléa appreciated the advice but remained overwhelmed by the number of possibilities. “I just feel like I need stability. I don’t see myself moving every year like some of my classmates. And studying in English… it’s not my native language. Can I really do it?”
This led to an insightful conversation about the importance of learning English. Cléa’s uncertainty about studying in English revolved around whether she could handle the challenge. “English is not my first language… I like the language, but I’m not sure I’m ready to study at university level in it.”
Monika reassured her, explaining that language learning, like any learning, is a progressive journey. “You won’t always feel uncomfortable. At first, yes, it’s hard, but after a year of studying in English, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve improved.” She emphasized that the initial difficulty is part of the learning process, but persistence leads to mastery. “When you’re in the middle of something difficult, like learning a new language, it feels like it’s going to last forever. But it doesn’t. You grow into it, and what seemed impossible at the beginning becomes natural over time.”
Frank reinforced the point, stressing the long-term benefits of mastering English. “English is the international language of business. If you can master it, you’ll have access to opportunities all over the world, not just in Europe. It’s a tool that gives you flexibility.” He encouraged Cléa to focus on the outcome rather than the initial challenge. “You can do it. Yes, it’s difficult at the start, but what’s important is the outcome, not the initial struggle.”
The conversation about English became symbolic of Cléa’s larger journey. Whether it’s mastering a language or choosing a career path, the message was clear: learning is progressive. The struggles at the start don’t define the entire experience, and the focus should be on the growth and opportunities that come with perseverance. Cléa herself acknowledged this, saying, “I know I’ll improve, I just need to be patient with myself.”
Throughout the discussion, a recurring message was the balance between passion and practicality. While Cléa worried about choosing the “right” path, Frank, Monika, and Babette emphasized that it’s more important to follow what you’re good at and what makes you happy. Frank’s concluding thoughts encapsulated the group’s advice: “You’re young. You have time to explore and change your mind. The most important thing is to take the first step and let yourself grow from there.”
The session left Cléa with a lot to think about but also reassured her that she doesn’t have to have it all figured out just yet. “Thank you all so much,” Clea said gratefully. “Your advice is really helpful. I’ll definitely be thinking about everything you’ve said.”
The session ended with Frank posing a final, thought-provoking question: “What are you going to do next, Clea? And how will you start finding what truly makes you happy?”
This question lingers, leaving Clea—and perhaps all of us—to reflect on the complexity of choice, fulfillment, and the winding paths of our own lives.
Bean Voyage meets Thursdays 12 noon CEST (10 am UTC). Men are welcome, but only if approved by the female members of the group.