One of the dark sides of social media has portrayed the typical 9-to-5 job as undesirable and must be avoided at all costs because it traps people in the rat race.
However, being an employee is different from the correct definition of people in the rat race, which is the vicious cycle of income and expenses that traps people in the race.
Personally, I worked as a full-time employee before venturing into other interests, like freelancing, and I can attest that there are merits in starting your career as an employee.
In this post, let’s talk about why being an employee teaches lessons you may not learn as a freelancer or an entrepreneur.
1. You will gain an employee’s perspective.
Before starting at one side of the employee-entrepreneur seesaw, it’s also crucial to understand the other side of the equation. How do most employees think and act?
For instance, if you’re observant enough, you will notice why people spend more than they make. You will understand why people go into debt or become a friend’s co-maker.
You will also see the value of hard work and what motivates employees, so if you ever start your business, you will have an idea of how your future employees feel, depending on your decisions.
However, starting with an escape plan while you’re still an employee is essential.
2. You can learn how to handle money.
Handling money is vital in our adult life, and one of the best ways to learn about it is by receiving a regular salary that you can budget.
If you’re an employee, you know what to expect month in and month out and will never be surprised about sudden drastic changes in your income.
However, money management is very different for freelancers and businessmen/women because of the uncertainty and irregularity of income.
Some people can earn a six-digit income in one month, then less than P20,000 the next.
3. You will learn from different types of people.
The best part of being an employee is the opportunity to work with diverse people, especially if you’re in a multinational company.
Different sets of people come from different backgrounds and, therefore, have different mindsets and perspectives.
You can also work with people of different ages, skills, and knowledge, who can be your mentors or anti-mentors.
4. You can grow your network.
Working with different people as an employee opens doors of opportunities in the future.
You’ll never know when you will meet again or when you’ll need help, so never burn bridges.
Some people you meet at work will be crucial in bridging more connections you never thought possible.
If ever you start a business, they may also be some of your first customers and followers.
5. You will learn how to work as a team and leadership.
The best part about being an employee is being part of a team, whether as a member or a leader.
Working with other people can bring out some of your innate abilities that you never thought you had.
You can also have an insight into how to lead your team if ever you start your own business.
Working with a large group will also cause friction with other members who don’t align with you, so it will be an opportunity to learn patience, understanding, and even compromise.
Since you will experience being under an authority, whether good or bad, you learn what you want to avoid or the best practices you want to implement.
I remember my former team leader and mentor in my first job; he said his seniors were cold and unaccommodating when he was a new hire, making it challenging to work with them.
So he promised himself that if he ever led a team, he would ensure he would be welcoming and helpful to the new hires because he knew what it felt like to be shunned.
So, when he became my team leader, I had a great experience working with him.
6. You will have a point of comparison.
Being an employee in a private corporation versus a small private company will give you a different experience.
Likewise, being an employee in the private sector is very much different than being an employee in the government sector.
So, when you start your career as an employee, you can see different facets of employment that you may use one day if you create your own business, try freelancing, or change careers.
Comparison, if used as a measuring stick against other people, is a thief of joy. However, comparison, with the goal of having a benchmark against yourself, can be a great advantage.
7. You will know yourself better.
Starting your career as an employee may sound uncool today because all the social media influencers are trying to paint employment in a bad light.
However, being an employee can teach you valuable life and professional skills.
You may realize that employment is not for you or your current industry does not align with your strengths, then you can make some changes.
However, there is also a chance that your employment can be the best path you take that will catapult your career and your professional life.
Final Thought:
Being an employee is okay, and so is starting your business early. However, working in a structured business and being an employee can be a different learning path for everyone.
So, if you’re a fresh graduate, still thinking about what to do with your life after college, it makes sense to be an employee. Maybe it may even be perfect for you.
May God bless your journey!