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- I couldn’t get a job after graduating from college. I moved in with my grandfather, and we became best friends. (businessinsider.com)
Recent grads facing a tough job market might find themselves back home with family. While this might seem like a setback, sometimes it’s the best thing that can happen. One recent college graduate shares her experience of moving in with her grandfather after her grandmother passed away and how it unexpectedly transformed her life.
Following graduation, she faced a difficult job market and turned down her only offer on the advice of her grandfather, a successful ENT surgeon. With no job lined up, she moved in with him temporarily.
What she thought would be a few weeks turned into three years. She quickly learned her grandfather’s rules and routines, from strict house rules to his unwavering work ethic, even at 80 years old.
Living with her grandfather provided structure and discipline, shaping her in ways college hadn’t. His advice, though sometimes tough to hear, was always what she needed.
Beyond the rules, a deep bond formed. They shared stories, watched TV shows together, and supported each other through life’s ups and downs, including the pandemic and her grandfather’s recovery from a car accident.
She credits this time with her grandfather for her personal and professional growth, leading to increased confidence and self-assuredness. While moving back in with family after graduation might feel like a step back, this graduate found it to be a giant leap forward, thanks to the unexpected gift of time spent with her grandfather.