Charting your course

Discover and shape your career journey, on your terms

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many young professionals, and one thing became clear—those early career years are absolutely critical to setting oneself up for success. Yet, despite the flood of career advice out there, we felt something practical and tangible was missing. That gap led my co-author, Sunder, and me to write HeadStart: Unlock the Secrets to Career Success, a hands-on blueprint for young professionals.

To create something truly impactful, we drew not only on our own experiences but also on the wisdom of experts, business leaders, and young adults. My daughter Janya, who’s 23, was one of the young people we turned to for insights. I’m delighted she agreed to take on this week’s #monday8am post, building on some of the key messages in HeadStart to share her journey. In her words, she gives you a peek into the choices, challenges, and thought process she’s navigating right now.

Please read on…

The moment of reflection

The train rattled down the New York subway line, with passengers shuffling on and off at each stop. Lost in thought, my eyes drifted to an ad on the opposite wall: Are you ready to try something new? It was just a generic poster, but somehow, the words struck a chord. I kept staring, almost challenging myself with the question.

A year and a half into my first job, a nagging feeling had started to creep in: was I on the right path? And if I wasn’t, how would I even know what ‘right’ was supposed to feel like?”

In that moment, all those career questions that once seemed distant were suddenly right there with me. I felt caught between missing the wild, unpredictable energy of college and wanting to find deeper meaning in my work. That train ride became a moment to hit pause and take stock. Was I really building a life that felt meaningful? Or was I just moving forward without knowing why?

Looking back, my need to explore and understand the world had been there forever. Sundays with my dad meant bookstore trips where I’d dive into the latest fantasy book, and family dinners were a scene of lively debates about everything from Buddhism to the future of AI. With a foundation like that, choosing a liberal arts education at Tufts University felt like the natural next step—a place to keep exploring and stretching myself. But in that subway moment, the question lingered: was I really creating a life that mattered?

The academic playground: chasing curiosity

At Tufts, I dove into everything I could get my hands on. I took seminars on ethics in music, lectures on algorithms, and changed my major five times—eventually landing on a mix of Computer Science and International Relations. Outside the classroom, I got grants for research in places like Tahiti and Nepal, led discussions on South Asian politics, and even tutored writing. Every day felt like a new adventure, something fresh to dive into. But as graduation got closer, I felt this nagging apprehension, knowing that the exciting chapter of college life was closing and a new, less-defined one was about to begin.

Finding my story

The job search that followed was intense. I scrolled through endless postings, often wondering, “Is there anything here that doesn’t look like the same routine every day?” My resume looked more like a patchwork quilt—tech internships mixed with coral reef studies and a thesis on India-Pakistan relations—and it didn’t translate neatly into the single-page summaries recruiters were looking for. Interviewers were puzzled, too, asking things like, “So, why did you intern in software engineering one summer, then switch to computational biology the next?” I started to question whether all these different experiences were holding me back.

One day, after yet another rejection, I realized that while I had plenty of experiences, I hadn’t figured out my story. I needed to piece together the common thread, one that could resonate both with others and with me. After a lot of reflection, I began to see the guiding theme behind my choices: a commitment to sustainability and a genuine desire to understand the connections between technology, the environment, and global challenges. This underlying interest had quietly guided my choices, even when I hadn’t fully recognized it.

With a clearer story, I went back into my job search with a new focus. I landed a role as a Sustainability Analyst at a global real estate company—a place where I could bring my skills, my varied experiences, and my commitment to sustainability. It represented the story I wanted to keep building, and it gave me a foundation to grow from.

Adjusting to life in New York and corporate reality

Moving to New York for this job was a huge adjustment. I was excited to start fresh in a city that felt big and full of possibilities, but it wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined. Living alone, figuring out grocery stores, making my way around the subway, and even learning to budget were all part of the deal. It was fun and frustrating at the same time. I made friends and learned the ropes, but I missed the buzz of college, where every day felt different. Now, things had this predictable rhythm that took some getting used to. I was still trying to find my groove, but little by little, the city started to feel like home.

Learning how to manage up

One of the biggest surprises has been figuring out how to work with a boss. It’s a different kind of relationship, and it’s not always straightforward. Early on, I’d prep for hours, only to get feedback that completely redirected my work. It was frustrating, and sometimes I took it too personally. But over time, I realized feedback isn’t about me—it’s about getting better. Now, I approach meetings with a mindset of curiosity, asking questions to understand what my bosses want and looking for ways to align with the team’s goals.

Something that’s helped me a lot is understanding how to add value in ways that matter to my supervisors. It doesn’t mean changing who I am; it’s about recognizing where I can make a real difference. Building that trust has made my job more fulfilling and helped me feel like I’m contributing in a meaningful way.

Finding my support system while figuring out my own path

During the tough parts of this journey, having a support system made all the difference. My parents have been my go-to when I hit roadblocks or get stuck in my head. Their advice has been grounding, but at the same time, I’m learning to carve out my own way of doing things—building my own approach and values. Having people to lean on is huge, but I’ve realized I also need to make sure I’m making choices that reflect who I am. Balancing that support while staying true to myself has been one of the biggest lessons so far.

Discovering purpose: navigating clarity, validation, and cloudiness

Moving from college into a corporate role was a big shift. In college, every project felt like a step forward, but in my job, impact often plays out over months or even years. It took time to adjust to this slower pace, but I realized I needed to ground myself in a sense of purpose, even if I wasn’t entirely sure what that purpose was. I started asking myself, “How does what I’m doing contribute to something meaningful?” Sustainability became the answer that resonated with me, something I felt strongly about. But, even with this focus, I’m still figuring it out—still wondering if this purpose is really my own.

Some days, the meaning of it all seems to shine through clearly, and I feel like I’m on track; other days, everything feels a bit cloudier. And then there’s this other layer: I still find myself wanting more recognition and questioning whether I’m being rewarded fairly. It’s uncomfortable to admit, but I’m realizing that external validation is a part of what motivates me. It’s not just about ego; it’s about feeling seen and valued for the work I do. I’m learning to accept that these markers matter—they help me gauge my progress and remind me that my contributions count.

And to be honest, I’m still agonizing over what “purpose” really means for me. I’m beginning to see that finding purpose isn’t about a single answer but a series of signals that keep you moving in the right direction. For now, I’m trying to stay open, follow those signals, and trust that each step brings me closer to an answer that feels right for me.

Embracing my unique path—and accepting the unknown

I’ve realized that my blend of experiences isn’t a liability; it’s what makes me unique. All the twists and turns—switching majors, jumping between internships, even the doubts—have built something that’s mine. But here’s the truth: I don’t have it all figured out. I have days where I feel like I’m doing well, and other days when I’m just plain confused. I still worry sometimes about where I’m headed, or if I’m on the “right” path, whatever that means.

It’s been humbling to accept that uncertainty isn’t a problem to fix but part of the journey. There’s freedom in knowing I don’t need to know everything right now. I’m learning to trust that, with time, more of the picture will become clear. And for now, I’m focusing on staying open, learning from every experience, and letting each step teach me something new. Being a “work in progress” has its challenges, but I’m slowly realizing it also has its own kind of strength.

Thank you, Janya, for sharing your story with such openness and heart. We admire how you’re navigating your choices and challenges and the person you’re maturing into. As you continue on your path, know that your mom and I are always here to support you, however you need us. I hope your journey inspires others to trust their unique paths, to believe in themselves, and to find courage in the unknown. Here’s to embracing each new step and to the adventure that lies ahead.

P.S. You can get a copy of HeadStart at https://www.amazon.in/HeadStart-Unlock-Secrets-Career-Success/dp/0143469207 or from bookstores.

Janya Gambhir Roopika Saran Sunder Ramachandran