Embracing Discomforts

A Valedictory Speech for University Canada West Fall 2024 Convocation

To our distinguished university officials, esteemed faculty, honored guests, supportive families, and my fellow graduates, Good Morning! Congratulations to everyone who’s powered through! We’ve all made it to this moment despite the trials, the tears, and maybe even some extra caffeine. Today is a day of celebration, and while we are all beaming with pride, let’s not forget that we didn’t get here without a bit of discomfort along the way.

We all love our comfort zones. They’re safe, warm, and familiar. But former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty once said, "Growth and comfort do not coexist." It's so true. Just like a seed that needs to break through the soil, pushing against the dirt and darkness to become that big shady tree. Discomforts are the soil we grow through.

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I landed a job in the banking industry. You see, I had it pretty good. Comfortable job, stable career. Everything and everyone turned out to be very familiar! So, there was this nagging feeling that I could do more. So, what did I do? I started volunteering for projects that had nothing to do with my actual job. You know, the kind where you're frantically Googling terms during meetings, pretending you know what’s happening? Yeah, that was me. But those moments of 'I have no idea what I'm doing' led to some of the biggest growth and significant learnings in my career. I didn’t know it then, but I was expanding beyond my comfort zone and building skills I never thought I’d need—or use.

Then came the big one: moving to Saudi Arabia. Imagine leaving behind everything I knew and stepping into a completely different world. At first, I felt like a fish out of water. Actually, no—more like a fish in a desert! It was a huge culture shift, and to be honest, I had moments where I thought, “What did I get myself into?” But with every challenge, I grew more resilient. I learned how to adapt and discovered that the things that make us uncomfortable also make us stronger.

Fast forward, and here I am in Canada. Another big leap, another fresh start. Now, I know Canada is supposed to be all polite and friendly—and don’t get me wrong, it is—but starting over is no joke. Building a network from scratch, learning new systems, navigating a different work culture... it’s not exactly a walk in the park. More like a hike—uphill, in the rain, without a map. Each one of us experienced discomfort during this journey, haven’t we? Whether it was juggling school, family, and work responsibilities, or the mere sending tons of CVs to various employers but not getting a callback! The sleepless nights, the group projects, sacrificing our social lives for a few extra hours of study, and, let’s not forget, adjusting to the new cultures, lifestyles, work environments, and, of course, the cold Canadian winters.

All of these stretched us in ways we didn’t anticipate. But here's the win: embracing that discomfort transformed us. I’ve become more efficient under pressure, adaptable in any environment, and, more importantly, confident that I can handle whatever challenges lie ahead. That struggle didn’t just build my resilience—it opened doors to new opportunities I never saw coming.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned three important lessons:

1. First, seek discomfort on purpose. I know that sounds like terrible advice. Thus, continue to challenge yourself. Take that project you’re not sure about. Move to that city you’re curious about. Discomfort is where growth happens. It allows us to discover more about ourselves and what skills we can still do.
2. Second, embrace uncertainty. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, the unknown will always be part of life. You won’t always have all the answers, and that’s okay. Trust yourself to figure it out as you go. Sometimes, the best opportunities come when you least expect them.
3. Finally, stay adaptable. Life doesn’t go according to plan. And thank goodness for that because if it did, I’d still be back at that desk, staring at paperwork and spreadsheets and wondering what might’ve been. Be open to change because that’s where the best things happen.

We don’t have to face discomforts alone – we have our support systems to rely on. Whether it’s our family, friends, or professors, some people help make the discomforts bearable. So today, let’s take a moment to thank all those who’ve helped us along the way—our families who supported us, our friends who kept us going, and, of course, University Canada West, which has spent 20 years nurturing future leaders. Thank you to the mentors and professors who guided us through each uncomfortable moment and pushed us to be the best version of ourselves.

As we move into the next chapter, remember that growth doesn’t happen when things are easy. It happens when things are hard, when you’re a little unsure, or when you're a little out of your depth. And trust me, you’ll look back and realize those moments made all the difference.

And if nothing else, remember—you survived UCW. You’ve already proven you can handle more than you think.

Congratulations and Mabuhay, Class of 2024! We did it!