My career is not what I planned, but everything I needed

You know those days when you’re reflecting on your career journey, wondering if you’re on the right path? Well, this week’s “Take Action” is specially crafted for you, and trust me, it might just change how you view your professional journey.

I’ve been sitting on this story for a while, waiting for the perfect moment to share it. After countless messages from community members asking about career transitions and dealing with uncertainty, I realized, that moment is now.

What I’m about to share isn’t your typical “follow these steps to success” story. Instead, it’s a real, unfiltered look at how embracing the unexpected led me to exactly where I needed to be.

Let me tell you about my career journey…

There I was, a bright-eyed pharmacy student, burning the midnight oil, memorizing drug interactions and chemical compounds. Every late night in the lab felt purposeful. Every complex formula mastered was a step closer to my dream. I could vividly see myself standing in front of eager students, breaking down complex pharmaceutical concepts with passion, inspiring the next generation of pharmacists as a distinguished university professor.
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The path seemed so clear, so certain. Five years of dedicated study, countless practical sessions, and a future mapped out in academic journals and lecture halls.

But life? Life had other ideas. And looking back, I cannot help but smile at its sense of humor.

The transition hit me like a pleasant surprise. Instead of lecture halls and lab coats, I found myself diving headfirst into the fast-paced world of management consulting. Gone were the days of measuring precise chemical compounds; suddenly, I was analyzing market trends and business metrics. Those attention-to-detail skills from pharmacy?
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They became my secret weapon in crafting detailed client presentations. The ability to break down complex drug interactions? That translated perfectly into simplifying business strategies for clients. I embraced this new challenge with open arms, setting my sights on becoming a Partner. The academic dream transformed into boardroom aspirations. New dream, same ambitious energy.

Just when I thought I had mastered the art of PowerPoint presentations and strategic frameworks, the universe threw another curveball. Enter: HR leadership. This transition felt like switching from speaking English to learning Japanese, completely different, yet somehow familiar. From crunching numbers and analyzing business metrics, I found myself diving deep into the fascinating world of human dynamics. Those consulting skills of understanding client needs?
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They became invaluable in understanding employee aspirations. My pharmacy background of caring for people’s wellbeing? It found a new purpose in nurturing talent and building strong teams. I dreamed of becoming a global HR thought leader, reshaping how companies approach their most valuable asset – their people.

And today? You will find me in the growth team of a fantastic health tech company. Plot twist, right? But here is where the story gets really interesting – this role feels like the perfect fusion of everything that came before. The scientific rigor from pharmacy, the analytical thinking from consulting, and the human-centered approach from HR – they all converge in ways I never could have planned. I am helping scale a company that makes healthcare more accessible, combining my love for health sciences with business strategy and people development.

Looking back, I can almost hear the questions: “Was this all part of your master plan? Did you strategically plan each pivot?”

Leans in closer

Let me be honest with you, if I claimed this was all meticulously planned, I would be telling a tale so tall it could touch the clouds!

But here is the beautiful paradox I have discovered along the way: Sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones we never saw coming. Each “detour” taught me something invaluable. Management consulting sharpened my analytical skills. HR leadership deepened my understanding of human potential. And now, in health tech, I am combining all these experiences in ways I never could have imagined.

This is where Simon Sinek’s wisdom hits home. “Start With Why” became my game-changer. Through all these transitions, I discovered my core purpose, my ‘Why’ – helping people be better so they can do better. This has been my unwavering North Star, guiding every decision, every pivot, every new challenge.

Think about it: Each role, though different on the surface, aligned perfectly with this mission. In consulting, I helped businesses optimize their potential. In HR, I enabled individuals to grow and succeed. And now, in health tech, I am part of something that directly impacts people’s wellbeing.

So here is what I have learned, and what I want to share with you:

1. Your ‘Why’ is your compass when the map gets blurry
2. Excellence in your current role opens doors you never knew existed
3. Hold your plans loosely – flexibility is your secret weapon
4. Every experience, even the unexpected ones, adds to your unique value

The beauty of it all? When you start with ‘Why,’ you will never end up questioning ‘Why not?’ Each twist and turn in your career becomes part of a larger, more meaningful story.

Remember, the best adventures are rarely the ones we plan. They are the ones that surprise us, challenge us, and ultimately transform us into who we are meant to be.

Action Points:

• The “What’s Working Now” Audit 
  Take sometime to write down everything you’re good at in your current role, even skills you might take for granted. These aren’t just resume points; they’re your transferable superpowers. What seems ordinary to you might be extraordinary in a different context. Remember how my pharmacy attention to detail became invaluable in consulting? Your current skills might be the unexpected foundation for your next big move.
• The Purpose Check-In 
  Answer this question: “If money and credentials weren’t factors, what would I do to help others?” Don’t overthink it. Your first instinct often reveals your true ‘Why.’ Then look at your current role, how can you inject more of that purpose into what you’re doing right now? Start small. For me, it was finding ways to help people improve, whether I was analyzing data or leading HR initiatives. Your ‘Why’ doesn’t need a title change to make an impact.

Remember: The best careers aren’t always built on perfect plans, but they’re always built on authentic purpose. What action will you take today?