A couple of years ago, right after finishing my degree, I found myself in a really fortunate yet stressful position where I had to choose between two fantastic job offers. One was a role at a boutique design studio in Edinburgh, and the other was a graduate position at a large multinational consultancy based in London.
Both paths had enormous appeal, but for completely different reasons. The studio in Edinburgh was quite small, which meant I would be thrown in at the deep end straight away. I loved the idea of having genuine creative freedom, working closely with the founders, and living in a picturesque, walkable city. On the other hand, the London firm offered an unbeatable starting salary, structured career progression, and the chance to work on high-profile global campaigns. It felt like the sensible, ambitious move that most graduates would leap at.
What made the choice so agonising was that picking one felt like closing the door on a completely different version of my future. I was essentially torn between lifestyle and rapid career prestige. For about a week, I was pacing around my flat, making endless lists of pros and cons, and constantly changing my mind every time I spoke to friends or relatives.
In the end, I decided to go with the smaller studio in Edinburgh. I realised that at that stage in my life, hands-on mentorship and a healthy work-life balance mattered more to me than corporate perks. It was tough turning down the London position, but looking back, I'm genuinely glad I backed my instincts, as the experience I gained in Edinburgh was second to none.