Paul Larson

Why this persona fits the audience

A 23-year-old final-year economics student in London manages assignments from Canvas, dissertation milestones, and part-time work shifts using Google Docs, a shared family calendar, and reminders. He has always used free tools and manual notes while coordinating his own weekly workload.

• Age: 23
• Location: London, UK
• Occupation: Student and part-time customer service worker
• Income: £14,000/year from a part-time customer service job
• Education: Final-year bachelor's student
• Company size: Small (retail store)
• Years in role: 1.5 years

“It's all about making the pieces fit, isn't it? Just got to keep track of everything without letting it get on top of you.”

Paul Larson, 23, is a final-year economics undergraduate at a London university, navigating the final stretch of his academic journey while juggling a part-time customer service role. Raised in a modest household, he developed a strong sense of budget awareness early on, a trait that has followed him into his student life. He's never felt the need to pay for organisational tools, relying instead on a patchwork of free digital resources. His primary academic management system involves meticulously updating assignment details in Google Docs, cross-referencing them with a shared Google Calendar used by his family for personal events, and setting multiple reminders on his phone. This manual approach, while functional, requires constant vigilance. His dissertation, a significant hurdle, is being tackled with similar pragmatism, breaking down chapters into smaller tasks documented in spreadsheets. Recently, he decided against purchasing a premium note-taking app, opting instead to refine his existing Google Docs workflow, believing the cost wasn't justified by the marginal improvements. He views his part-time job not just as a source of income (£14,000 annually), but as essential experience in customer interaction and problem-solving, crucial for his post-graduation career aspirations. His financial decisions are driven by a desire for future stability; every pound saved now is an investment in a less precarious future. He sees his current efforts as laying the groundwork for a career in a competitive field, where diligence and resourcefulness are key differentiators. His relationship with time is one of constant negotiation, always trying to allocate enough hours to studies, work, and the occasional social interaction, often feeling like there's never quite enough time.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Paul's typical weekday begins around 7:30 AM. After a quick breakfast of toast and coffee, he checks his Google Calendar and to-do list (maintained in a Google Doc) for the day's priorities. He might have a lecture or seminar at 9 AM, followed by a few hours dedicated to his dissertation research or essay writing, often in the university library. Lunch is usually a packed sandwich. In the afternoon, he heads to his part-time job for a four-hour shift, dealing with customers and stock. Evenings are a juggle: either more study time, a quick workout at the campus gym, or preparing dinner with housemates. He aims to be in bed by 11:30 PM, often reviewing his schedule for the next day.

Lifestyle

Paul shares a cramped but functional flat in Zone 3 London, splitting bills with housemates. His routine is dictated by university lectures, dissertation work, and his part-time job at a high-street electronics store. He cycles or takes public transport to save money. Evenings are often spent studying or catching up on football highlights. He's careful with his spending, favouring free entertainment and cooking at home over eating out. While he values social connections, his current academic and work pressures mean his social life is often secondary, revolving around occasional pub trips with friends or family gatherings.

Work life

Paul's part-time role involves assisting customers, managing stock, and processing sales at a retail store. The work is often repetitive, requiring him to be on his feet for long shifts. He interacts with a diverse range of customers and a small team of colleagues, some of whom are also students. The main pressures come from hitting sales targets, dealing with difficult customers, and ensuring the store is presentable. His workdays are a mix of customer interaction, restocking shelves, and administrative tasks like inventory checks, often punctuated by the need to quickly check his phone for urgent university notifications.

Relationships

Paul is close to his parents and younger sister, who live outside London; they often check in via WhatsApp and a shared family calendar for important dates. His flatmates are a mixed group, generally amicable but with distinct social habits. His core group of university friends, met in his first year, are his main social support, often discussing coursework and future plans.

How they decide

Paul is generally cautious and research-oriented when making significant decisions, especially those involving money. For daily tasks and academic planning, he relies on what's readily available and free, preferring to avoid complexity unless a clear benefit is demonstrated. He's influenced by practical outcomes and peer recommendations for tools he might consider adopting.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured tone, typical of a Londoner but without strong regional slang. Tends to be direct and factual, avoiding overly emotional language. Uses phrases like 'basically', 'you know', and 'sort of' when thinking. Can sound slightly stressed when discussing deadlines or workload. Avoids jargon unless discussing economics.