I’m not proud of it, but I’ve spent a large portion of my life questioning my decisions and wondering if they’ve put me on the right path.
Am I in the right career? Did I choose the right degree? Am I fulfilling my potential? Should I want something more?
Recently I spent a few weeks working at my old Sixth Form College, where I studied for my A-Levels over a decade ago. My time at the college coincided with a number of open events for prospective pupils, so part of my role involved putting together display materials highlighting some of the things former students have achieved, including the places they have chosen to study.
And that got me thinking: why do we choose to stay close to home our whole lives, or move away?
I don’t know if this is something unique to the North East, but I know a lot of people who opted to attend university locally and build a life close by after graduation.
But traditionally, Teesside is regarded as a place that doesn’t have much to offer. The best and brightest have often had to move south to find fulfilling work, away from the dwindling opportunities at home.
So why choose to stay?
Everyone is different and their stories fascinate me.
But this might be the best time to choose home, now that there are so many ways to build your own career or business, often utilising the internet or digital technologies, something Teesside is becoming known for. Younger people are keen to forge their own path, with control over their own lives, rather than choosing a job that will always leave them responsible to someone else.
And ultimately, we need the best people, those with the drive, passion and skills to make our area great. That’s a good enough reason for me.