Beyond the Crystal Ball: Navigating the '5 Years' Question and Embracing the Power of 'Why Nots' in My Career Journey

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" I have a confession to make – I hate that question. And truth be told, I'm not alone in this sentiment; it's a question that many of us find challenging, frustrating, and often misleading. Throughout my career journey, I've encountered this same question numerous times. However, if I were to reflect on where I am now compared to where I envisioned myself five years ago, the contrast is striking. I'm nowhere near the place I imagined I'd be.

Upon introspection, I've identified a recurring pattern: my tendency to underestimate my potential and ambitions. Case in point: during my high school years, the concept of pursuing engineering as a career wasn't even on my radar until my senior year. It took the encouragement of a teacher who saw something in me that I hadn't recognized myself. That nudge made me ponder, "Why not?" And that simple question altered the trajectory of my life. It's a testament to how sometimes our aspirations are limited by our exposure and imagination. But once we dare to entertain the possibility of the 'why nots,' unforeseen doors swing open, revealing paths we never thought to explore.

Fast forward to the brink of graduation with a bachelor’s in industrial engineering, I had a solid plan in place - a job offer from a company where I'd completed an internship. It seemed like a logical next step until another professor posed a question that would once again alter my course: "Why not consider graduate school?" To be honest, the idea of pursuing further education beyond my bachelor's degree hadn't crossed my mind. Yet, there it was again – the 'why not' moment that beckoned me to consider a path I hadn't imagined for myself. Grad school? Me?

Upon exploring this unexpected option, I got an opportunity that was too good to pass up. A chance to pursue my PhD with all expenses covered, plus a stipend – it was a game-changer. Despite never envisioning this path for myself, the logic behind seizing this opportunity became crystal clear. This decision wasn't part of my scripted response to the notorious question, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" In fact, it wasn't even a dream I had ever entertained until it presented itself, wrapped in the simple query of 'why not?'

And yet, it's moments like these that have shaped my journey – instances where I dared to entertain the unexpected, where I challenged my own preconceived notions of what I could achieve, and where I allowed myself to dream beyond the confines of my existing plans.

Graduating with a PhD in Engineering was now a goal I had set my sights on, but the path that unfolded afterward was markedly different from my initial vision. During that period, academia wasn't even on my radar—I was set on a career outside of the university realm.

Instead, I ventured into the world of healthcare systems engineering, working at a hospital, envisioning a trajectory firmly rooted in this field. It seemed like the perfect answer to that persistent question of 'where do you see yourself in 5 years?' My career in healthcare systems engineering appeared set.

Life had other plans, personal reasons led me to Boston, but there I was able to continue down the healthcare systems engineering path with a postdoc at Northeastern University's Healthcare Systems Engineering Institute. If you had told me then that five years from that point, I'd be in a teaching position, I would have chuckled at you.

Teaching? Me? The thought hadn't crossed my mind until a professor and mentor, at a crucial juncture where I had to decide my next move, presented an unexpected opportunity. A faculty position had opened in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering department. And yet again, the question resurfaced: "Why not consider a faculty position?” The unexplored realm of academia called out, challenging my assumptions once more. I took a leap of faith, applied for the position, and embraced the unfamiliar path that had unexpectedly unfolded before me.

I spent a little over 6 years as a faculty member, a period in my career that I hold dear. It was during these years that I recognized the significant impact I had on the lives of my students, particularly as one of the very few Latinas in the department and college. At that time, I genuinely believed this was my path – a career in academia that I thought would unfold with me right there, teaching. If you had asked me then where I saw myself in 5 years, my response would have been firmly rooted in the world of teaching, perhaps aiming for promotions, and taking the traditional steps. I even entertained the idea of stepping into an administrative role where I could broaden my impact. Academia, I thought, was my destination.

However, life took an unexpected turn with the onset of the pandemic, and my family decided to relocate to Florida. This 'why not' moment was distinct from the others; it wasn't a seed planted in my mind like the previous instances. I was certain I wanted to engage in work that made a meaningful impact on students or my community. Initially, I envisioned finding a new position at a local university, and the notion of non-profit work hadn't crossed my mind until one night, as I scrolled through various job opportunities, there it was – the position of Manager, Research & Innovation at SHPE. An organization intimately familiar to me, one that had profoundly shaped my undergraduate and graduate experiences. The idea of working with SHPE was never in my wildest imaginations, yet, this time, I posed the question to myself: "Why not?"

I've been with SHPE as part of the staff for a little over two years now, and what a remarkable journey it has been. Every day, I engage in work that holds immense significance, and I find myself occasionally pinching to confirm the reality of the opportunities this organization has granted me.

The motivation behind writing this article stems from a recent encounter with the question, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Once again, I found myself without a clear answer. Here's the thing: life is this unpredictable, winding road. 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?' might as well be a crystal ball for all its accuracy. Instead, embracing those 'why not' moments, questioning the expected, and exploring the unexplored – that's where the magic lies.

So, when faced with a 'why not,' lean into it. It might just steer you towards unexpected and incredible opportunities, shaping a journey beyond your wildest dreams.