Career Lessons I’ve Learned (So Far)

I used to plan extensively because it gave me a sense of security. However, I later realized that this behavior stemmed from societal pressure—where being unsure of your path is often seen as a lack of ambition. I feared being perceived as someone without direction. But despite my best efforts to map out my career, my journey took unexpected turns, teaching me that growth often comes from exploration.

As a freshman, I initially pursued accounting. While I appreciated the field, I quickly realized it wasn’t my long-term path. That realization led me to shift to business management, where I also slowly discovered my passion for creativity and marketing. This shift made me realize the importance of being open to change because sometimes, balancing passion and paycheck isn’t about choosing one over the other but finding ways to merge both.

Early in my internship, I thought career success was about climbing the ladder as fast as possible. However, I’ve realized that focusing on developing technical and interpersonal skills has been far more valuable than chasing job titles. Adaptability, problem-solving, and communication are among the top skills employers look for in fresh grads—skills I have strengthened through hands-on experience. Learning to analyze campaign performance, create engaging content, and optimize SEO has given me a strong foundation. Still, unexpected skills, such as storytelling and time management, have made the biggest difference in my growth.

Looking back, I’m glad I prioritized learning rather than worrying about titles because skills open doors that a title alone never could.

I used to think networking occurs at formal events or the workplace, but one of my best career opportunities happened at a beach in El Nido during my vacation. Before heading to the shore, my sister and I visited a café. Later, while watching the sunset, I struck up a conversation with a fellow cyclist as we had the same bike setup. This guy turned out to be the café owner. He had noticed me working on graphic design earlier and offered me a chance to collaborate on marketing materials. Aside from that, he had also invited me to go biking in El Nido the next time I came back. This moment made me realize that meaningful connections can happen anywhere, often when you’re just being yourself. I made not only a connection within the business setting but also a friend within the biking community.

As a Gen Z professional, I’ve learned that networking is about building genuine relationships, not just making connections. Engaging in online and offline communities by sharing your work and interests can lead to unexpected opportunities. A simple conversation can sometimes open doors you never anticipated.

Contrary to popular belief, feeling incompetent at the start of your career is completely normal. As fresh graduates, we often want to prove ourselves, believing we must show our superiors and colleagues that we’re capable despite our lack of experience. Because of this, I hesitated to ask questions, fearing it would make me look incompetent. Ironically, avoiding questions led to more mistakes. Over time, I realized that acknowledging what I didn’t know and being open to learning made my work easier and improved my skills.

Many of us fear making mistakes because the school system conditions us to associate them with failure—like getting a bad grade on a test. But in the workplace, mistakes aren’t the end of the road; they’re part of the learning process. Instead of seeing failure as something to avoid, we should view it as an opportunity to grow. Some of the most valuable early career tips and advice I’ve received emphasize learning from mistakes, and I now understand why—it’s how we refine our skills and grow as professionals.

Beyond learning from mistakes, I also realized that setting boundaries is equally important for long-term career growth.

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make when I started working was enforcing boundaries between work and personal time. As a student, working on projects outside class hours was customary, sometimes even pulling all-nighters on weekends to meet deadlines. But I quickly realized this habit doesn’t translate well into the workplace. Unlike school, where work often spills into personal time, professional environments expect tasks to be completed within designated hours. Learning to respect these boundaries was a crucial shift in my mindset.

Prioritizing work-life harmony isn’t just about avoiding burnout; it’s about creating a sustainable routine that fosters productivity and well-being. Surrounding myself with work 24/7 only led to stress, lack of sleep, and declining motivation. However, when I allowed myself to enjoy activities outside of work, whether exercising, spending time with family, or pursuing hobbies, I noticed a significant boost in my creativity and efficiency. Setting boundaries doesn’t mean doing less; it means working smarter and recognizing that rest is just as important as productivity.

During college, I experienced unexpected shifts in what I truly wanted to pursue. Even though I had meticulously planned my career path, I remained open to new experiences that helped me understand myself better. Change can be intimidating, but it’s completely normal to pivot—just like how I shifted from accounting to business management before realizing my passion for marketing. Many people, even in their 30s or 40s, discover new passions—whether it’s shifting to law, medicine, or an entirely different field.

I encourage embracing change rather than fear it. While planning our careers is essential, we shouldn’t close ourselves off to opportunities in other fields. We can excel in more than one area, which is why adaptability is one of the most valuable skills in today’s job market. The most successful professionals aren’t those who stick rigidly to one plan but those who can navigate change with confidence and curiosity.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that no career path is ever set in stone. From embracing uncertainty to prioritizing skills over titles, building genuine connections, learning from mistakes, setting boundaries, and staying adaptable—each experience has shaped my growth in unexpected ways. The truth is, we’re all constantly figuring things out, and that’s perfectly okay.

Navigating one’s career is a journey of growth, learning, and adaptability. The twists, challenges, and opportunities all shape who we become. If you’re looking for a career that offers both purpose and flexibility, consider becoming a Life Changer—it’s a role that empowers you to grow while making a meaningful impact on others’ lives.