Bohemians meet bohemians. Outside of work, it is unlikely that a Corporate Bohemian decides to spend their time with boring corporate folks, talking about work, networking for the sake of making useful acquaintances, or simply hanging out with people who don’t care about music, art or creativity as much as needed to enable an intriguing discussion. Bohemians go out with other bohemians, who introduce them to fabulous people in their circles. However, whenever you meet someone new, the same question always pops up during the conversation, as if to spoil it intentionally: What do you do?

The problem is: how do you explain what you actually do to people who have dedicated their life to art in its every shape or form? What do Corporate Bohemians do for living? They work in Corporations. The latter effectively means they lend their brains to Corporations in order to earn the big money that pays for their high-profile bohemian lifestyle! But how do you explain that to creative people who have potentially sacrificed opportunities for well-paid jobs so that they can focus on their passions and creative endeavours?

The truth is: there are benefits to both lifestyles – the pure bohemians get the ability to create and freely express themselves, while the corporate employees get the money to pay for expensive pleasures in life. The best thing is to be able to do both. Some people do it, others don’t. The Corporate Bohemians should and must do both. If they fail, then they either aren’t Corporate, or aren’t Bohemians.

Back to the question: What do you do? Imagine it asked by an extremely sexy writer of a yet unpublished novel; or a beautiful cellist who just mentioned how much they despised playing the same popular classical pieces on weddings to earn some extra cash; or a step dancer who also happens to sing opera and has had a show at the Barbican last week; or an actor who took part in one of the best plays you’ve ever experienced; or just another someone who does something really intriguing…

And then you go: I work in Investment Banking. I am a Management Consultant. I am a Programme manager. I work in Finance. I work in HR. I work in Sales. I am a Business Analyst.  I am a Technical Consultant. I am a QA. I am an Operations Manager. I lead business transformations. You what?! Seriously, now start giving them the details, should you dare!

Indeed, there are great things in your job and you should feel very proud. Surely you achieve a lot and make positive impact within the business, but also for society. Other Corporate folks would understand that well, but not Bohemians. Luckily, since you are both a Corporate creature, and a Bohemian, you probably instinctively blend in well within both groups.

Even when you are in your Bohemian surroundings, the Corporate side of you is there and you shouldn’t hide it. You can’t really hide it either, it is who you are. Just make sure you know how to handle the ‘What do you do?’ question highlighting the great parts of your job in a comprehensive, bohemian-friendly way. Share what’s exciting. Say how you make an impact for societies. Mention your hobbies and interests too. Twist the conversation to flow in the direction you wish. Spotlight your interesting bohemian dealings. Listen more, ask questions and let the topic about your corporate job slip between the lines of the poems you’ve written, or else, unattended. Be who you are without getting people bored. Bohemians would have views on economics, finance, politics and everything, without having the desire to have in-depth conversations about business.

So, what do you do? I am a poet who also likes his job in IT. I am an accountant in a big firm who loves arts and diving. I am a Finance Manager and I also play in a band in my out-of-office hours. I am a Sales manager and also a singer in a choir. I work in HR and I am a poet and blogger, and also run a private cinema in a far-away land. I am all that I imagine I want to be.