info@englishschool.ac.cy +357 22 799 300 0 Presidential Palace Road and Kyriacou Matsi
Strovolos 1082 Nicosia Cyprus
On 16 January, the Economics Society welcomed Mr Eros Nicolaou (Qualified Advocate) for an engaging talk that blended career guidance with a thoughtful discussion on what it means to live well. Drawing on real-world experience from the legal profession in Cyprus, Mr Nicolaou invited students to look beyond the traditional “ladder” of achievement and consider a bigger question: how do happiness, purpose, and success actually fit together?
Rethinking “success”
A key starting point was Mr Nicolaou’s challenge to the idea that success has one fixed definition. Students explored how success can look different depending on personal values, life stage, and context. The conversation moved naturally into the tension many people feel between building a career and building a life—and how the two don’t always develop in a neat, predictable way.
Career pathways: Cyprus, abroad, and the value of investment
Mr Nicolaou spoke openly about career decision-making and the realities behind different pathways, including the question many students consider: Should someone pursue opportunities in Cyprus or abroad? In discussing law specifically, he touched on the commitment required to build a legal career locally, and the importance of understanding the long-term “investment” of time, training, and persistence.
Alongside the practical elements, he highlighted the role that society plays in shaping expectations—particularly in academic and professional environments—where external measures of “achievement” can sometimes overshadow personal fulfilment.
Law in Cyprus: society, politics, and change
The talk also placed law within its wider context. Mr Nicolaou discussed how social and political developments in Cyprus can shape legal practice and public life, reinforcing the idea that law is not just about rules and procedures, but also about people, institutions, language, and change.
Happiness, mindfulness, and purpose
One of the most impactful themes was the distinction between success and happiness. Mr Nicolaou encouraged students to think about enjoyment, mindfulness, satisfaction, and purpose—not as “extras,” but as essential components of a sustainable and meaningful life.
He also emphasised a reality that many people only learn later: in the real world, the “next step” is often unpredictable. Opportunities can appear unexpectedly, and progress is rarely linear. Rather than viewing uncertainty as a threat, students were encouraged to see it as a space where growth and new directions are possible.
Goals, setbacks, and the non-linear journey
Mr Nicolaou offered a balanced perspective on short-term and long-term targets, encouraging students to plan with intention while staying flexible. Importantly, he normalised setbacks, stressing that failure can lead to success and that careers often develop through turns, pauses, and unexpected learning moments.
At the heart of this message was a simple point: progress is easier to sustain when it’s fuelled by genuine interest. For Mr Nicolaou, passion for law—and the willingness to keep learning—was presented as a key driver of professional development and resilience.
Student Q&A: from corporate law to communication skills
The session ended with a lively Q&A, where students asked thoughtful and wide-ranging questions. Topics included:
Thank you
The Economics Society would like to thank Mr Eros Nicolaou for a meaningful, honest, and inspiring session, and Ms Antoinetta Diola Skordi for capturing the key themes of the talk. We look forward to welcoming more speakers who can help students connect classroom learning with real-life choices, challenges, and opportunities.
