Career Curveballs

Career Curveballs

As professionals, we often reflect on the curveballs our careers have thrown us. This reflection led me to a surprising realization about my childhood classmates and myself.

“When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.” The over enthusiastic kid sitting in the first row stood up and said aloud.

Well, half the class had the same answer. There were different answers, but not exactly out-of-the-box ones. Some run-of-the-mill ones like doctor, engineer, cop, pilot; some ambitious ones- President, movie star; some trendy ones as well- dancer, writer and the likes. ?

Three decades later, as I glance through the LinkedIn profiles of some of my schoolmates, I am in for some real twists. The eight-year-old wannabe doctor is now an acclaimed filmmaker. The soft-spoken little girl who wanted to be a dancer is now a cop- a real tough one, I hear. And the over-enthusiastic wannabe teacher? Well, he is an IT professional still struggling to find his groove.

We, the wanderers, took our time to find our way. And have we become something yet? Not really, as we keep becoming something new every day. We keep learning, we keep acquiring new skills, we keep realizing more about ourselves- the titles or the profession might not change frequently, but changes are always happening within.

We weren’t ready to be who we are today five years ago. A few years down the line, or may be in the very next moment, we may wander into unchartered territories again. Life’s agile and growing up is a task in progress.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” the teacher asks.

The kid- now in his forties, answers: “Well, let me grow up and figure it out…”

What have been your career curveballs?

How has your career differed from your childhood aspirations?

Vivek Bhushan

Tax Fusion leader for BDO creating innovative digital products to drive business growth

8 个月

profound thought and in hindsight nothing wrong with having a goal, but less ruminating and more doing is always better. In the end, the universe will help work it out what you become.

ARCHANA S

Software Engineer at Unity Infotech

8 个月

When I grew up, I wanted to be an IAS officer and later a teacher. But, as time moved on I realized it's not my thing. So was continuing without knowing what to become in life. Then I joined BSC computer Science(My aim was different . But ended up here because there was seats available for this course only). When I started studying that, I confirmed I was born to be an IT professional. Then I set an aim to become a Software Engineer by 2020 after MCA. As that, I joined UST on 2020. It was a passion meets profession moment for me.

Parag Kokane

Sr. Delivery Manager | 24+ Years in IT | CSM? & CSPO? | Program & Stakeholder Management | Dynamics 365 | .NET | SQL | Mobile Apps | Agile & DevOps | Global Delivery & Digital Transformation

8 个月

Fantastic write-up! I wanted to be a cricketer, but ended up being an IT professional - still dealing with curveballs, just of a different kind! ??

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