Are you confused about your career?

When I was in grade 10, I thought choosing between medical and non-medical would be the biggest decision of my life!

I chose non-medical.

When I was in XII, I was clueless what to do next as I wasn’t one of those hardcore kids who dreamt of IIT.

People said engineering is the best in terms of job prospects. I agreed and pursued it.

I aced all my exams and was the topper not because I loved the subjects but because I had a strong work ethic and the zeal to be the best.

At the same time, I dreaded a core ECE or a coding job.

And I wasn’t ready to pursue something I didn’t love.

During my 3rd year, I decided to act on my childhood dream of studying abroad.

I wanted to see how the other side of the world lived and to get the best academic experience possible.

Maybe that’s the reason I did not cry at the airport as I was excited and this was my own decision.

Or perhaps the fact that I reached just in time before the gates closed!

For my Master’s, I switched my field to business.

After graduating, I got the role of a Project Leader at a pharma giant.

I was elated until the work started lol. 2 years into the role, I was damn sure this is not for me. I didn’t love the industry and felt I wasn’t leveraging my strengths.

Once again, I switched. I got the role of a Social Media Marketer with the Ontario Government.

I like the work and love the culture here!

But is this it? Have I figured it all?

NO

But for a change, I am completely fine with this uncertainty!

If you are confused, here are 3 key reflections from my journey:

✅ Don’t try to figure out how to climb to the top of the ladder. Figuring out the next step is enough. See, we don’t even know all the roles that exist. It’s only once we try things that we are exposed to different possibilities. I didn’t even know a role like Social Media Marketer existed in grade 10. How could you or I have decided then!?

✅ Don’t get complacent. You have the power to carve your own life. It takes effort to switch but I can assure you, it is totally worth it! Had I been in India doing a coding role or still in my Project Leader role in Canada, I might have been dreading my job and regretted that I didn’t dare to pursue my dreams.

✅ You won’t figure it out in a day. For me, it took 11 years (after grade 10) to get to the first role that I love! As you try more things, you will understand yourself more. Trying takes time. Give yourself that time.

Keep blooming,

Bani Singh