Hi guys! Welcome to the new official day for Guyset episodes, TUESDAY.

For this very special occasion, I'm launching a brand new part of the podcast, conversations with guys in their 20s. Since I want this to be the guy's guide to what should be talked about in your 20s, it's important to get a breadth of perspectives from, well, guys in their 20s. 

My experience only encapsulates that of one guy in their 20s. There are so many other stories and perspectives that need to be spotlighted to create this broader resource guide for guys in their 20s. 

I'm starting this with my friend Patrick Kelly, who has a pretty different experience than me right now. He decided to go to grad school and move back home after college which is something a lot of people do, we just aren't talking about it. I wanted to bring him on to hear about his experience living at home after college to give advice to other guys in a similar situation, he's got some great stuff to say!

Living at Home After College: One Guy's Honest Take on the Transition from Student to Professional

Patrick Kelly shares his experience staying home for an extra year, studying for the CPA, and preparing for his first "big boy job" at a Big Four accounting firm

The transition from college to the "real world" hits everyone differently. For Patrick Kelly, 23, it meant moving back to his parents' basement in Pennsylvania to complete his MBA, study for the CPA exam, and prepare for his role at PwC in Philadelphia.

His story offers a refreshingly honest look at what many young guys experience but rarely talk about: the reality of moving back home, the social adjustments, and the challenge of maintaining independence while accepting family support.

The Strategic Decision to Stay Home

Patrick's path wasn't typical. After graduating from Lehigh with an accounting degree, he needed 150 credits for his CPA certification—25 more than his undergraduate degree provided.

"I had the option of just doing random classes at community college or getting an MBA," he explains. "I thought, if it's going to cost the same amount of money, why not go for another degree?"

He chose West Chester University for its flexibility—mostly online classes that let him study for the CPA while earning his MBA from his parents' basement. Within a year, he'd completed both goals and landed a full-time offer at PwC.

The Career Strategy: Patrick's approach shows the value of playing the long game. By staying home for an extra year, he:

• Completed his MBA

• Passed his CPA exams

• Secured a Big Four accounting job

• Saved money for his move to Philadelphia

Landing a Big Four Job: The Campus Recruiting Advantage

Patrick's job search began four years before graduation—a timeline that might surprise some. Here's how he navigated the process:

Campus Recruiting is Key: "Campus recruiting, especially for accounting firms, is how you get an internship and then your internship turns into a full-time offer," Patrick emphasizes.

The Process:

1. Applied to two Big Four firms (PwC and KPMG) through campus recruiting

2. Participated in leadership programs and externships

3. Completed internship after senior year

4. Received full-time offer

His Advice: "It's better to be early than late because there are many other opportunities you don't know that are out there."

The Social Reality of Living at Home

Patrick doesn't sugarcoat the social challenges of moving back home after college independence:

"Definitely a lot less of a social life than I had at Lehigh. It's for sure a wake-up call going from college, which is a lot of fun and games, to reality sets in."

The Good:

• Financial support from parents

• Access to old high school friends also living at home

• Family support system

• Home-cooked meals and help with chores

The Challenging:

• Loss of college-level independence

• Parents still treating you like a kid

• Limited social opportunities

• Transition from college schedule to 9-5 reality

"I try to do my laundry, but my mom takes it out of my room whenever she can. I'm like, 'Mom, let me do it. I want to take care of myself. I want to be independent.'"

Building Structure and Discipline

Without the built-in structure of college, Patrick had to create his own routine. His strategies for staying disciplined:

Morning Routine Hacks:

• Two-alarm system: Regular alarm + favorite song as second alarm

• One snooze rule: Hit snooze once maximum, then get up

• Get moving immediately: Shower, walk, run—no phone scrolling in bed

Daily Structure:

• Treat studying like a full-time job

• Set specific rewards for completing work (movie night, going out with friends)

• Take regular breaks outside to combat screen fatigue

• Use app time limits (30 minutes max for TikTok/Instagram)

"Every now and then, if I crack a beer at the end of the day, might get a little bit of a side eye from the mother, but hey, sometimes you got to sweep that under the rug."

Managing Stress and Staying Sane

Patrick's toolkit for handling stress while studying intensively:

Get Outside: "You don't realize how much built-up anxiety you have when you're sitting behind a computer until you step away from it."

Find a Dog: "Petting dogs can release a lot of stress. I love being at home so I can walk my dog around the block every time I finish a unit."

Set Phone Boundaries: Use Do Not Disturb mode and app time limits to avoid mindless scrolling

Physical Movement: Stand, walk, bike ride—anything to break up desk time

Looking Forward: Ready for Independence

Despite the challenges, Patrick sees this year as valuable preparation. His plans:

• Moving to Philadelphia with a friend for his PwC job

• Declining parents' offer to help him buy a house (preferring to rent)

• Maintaining family connections while establishing independence

"I'm excited to be on my own, have a real paycheck, real money in the bank. I am excited to work, start working, but also I hear all the horror stories from other starting accountants."

Practical Tips for Guys in Similar Situations

For Those Living at Home:

1. Create structure even without external requirements

2. Set boundaries with family while respecting their support

3. Maintain social connections but accept they'll look different than college

4. Use the time strategically for career advancement or skill development

For Anyone In That Transition Period:

1. Take advantage of campus recruiting early and often

2. Build relationships with mentors and advisors

3. Stay connected with internship colleagues via LinkedIn

4. Treat yourself occasionally, but stay disciplined about saving

The Bottom Line: It's Okay to Take the Unconventional Path

Patrick's story challenges the narrative that you must move out immediately after college. His strategic year at home positioned him for long-term success while providing time to adjust to post-college life.

"Live in the moment," he advises current college students. "Don't try to get too caught up. School can be stressful, but it's a great privilege."

For those already graduated: "Treat yourself after a long, hard day or week or month, but don't treat yourself too often. Your future self will thank you."

The transition from college isn't one-size-fits-all. Sometimes the best path forward includes a temporary step backward—as long as you're using that time intentionally to set yourself up for future success.

Feeling stuck in your post-college transition? You're not alone. Subscribe to Guyset for more honest conversations about navigating your twenties, from career moves to living situations to everything in between.

Timestamps:

3:40 Interview begins

6:04 We talk about the transition from college to life after

7:09 We talk about applying to grad school during college/ grad school

9:05 How he found his internship in college

10:03 We talk about using college resources for internships 

11:34 We talk about networking during college and LinkedIn

13:24 We talk about staying in touch with previous coworkers/ employers

14:53 We talk about social life after college

19:08 We talk about sleep

20:11 Tips for staying scheduled and on top of priorities 

22:55 We talk about the difficulties of living at home after college and Pat’s plans for next

26:44 We talk about dating life while living at home after college

29:00 Hacks for staying sane when stressed

30:38 I give my best productivity and mindset hack

33:13 We talk about what Pat wants to keep with him and what he hopes changes when he moves out

34:35 Easy meals for dinner

37:19 Pat talks about his summer job

38:23 Pat gives advice for guys in college

38:44 Pat says the word tender

39:44 We give advice for guys out of college

Thank you for listening!

Send in any questions, things you want me to talk about, or things that should be talked about for guys in their 20s to josh@guyset.com  

Click HERE to follow Guyset on TikTok

Click HERE to follow Guyset on Instagram

Click HERE to check out Guyset.com

Subscribe, give this episode 5 stars, and leave a review! 

See you next TUESDAY!