How I chose my occupation at 15 years old ??

I know it sounds nonsense. But allow me to explain. Both sides of my family have humble origins. You know, grandparents who grew up in the country, dreaming about moving to the city. And eventually, they did. Going to college, though, was something they didn't even dare to dream about.

Fast forward, they all worked hard, and my parents met each other at a very young age. They also didn't go to college until after their kids grew up (that's a nice story for another post). The point here is: at 13 years old, my mom's young brother graduated in Business Administration.

It was my first-ever graduation party. So, I put it in my mind that I wanted to graduate in Business Administration as well. I didn't even know what I had to do to get there. I also didn't know any other options. Anyway, it's amazing how kids think everything is possible in a very streamlined way, right?

When I was going to high school (Brazilian version of it), my parents worked even harder to put me in a private school so I'd get a better chance of being accepted into my dream school: the Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU).

One day I got my study notebook and went to the internet to research about Business Administration. I remember reading about Finance, Operations, Human Resources, and... well, Marketing. From all of that, Marketing caught my attention. I wrote on the first page of the notebook about Marketing and its definition.

I wish I could find this notebook to see if I still agree with that definition. But, either way, that Wikipedia quote inspired me to study and be accepted into UFU. Also, my uncle (who was living in the USA by that time) sent me a Finance calculator as a gift.

Note: In Brazil, when we finish high school, we take the exam to be accepted in college, and we have to choose what we will study for the next 5 years. So basically, KIDS at 17-18 years old choose what they will do "for the rest of their lives".

I did consider other courses: Psychology, Economy, Accounting, and International Relations. But I figured I could learn a bit of all of them in Business Administration. And, oh boy, I'm happy I did not choose Accounting. I had enough of it. ??

Funny thing is, I was right. Marketing was the best decision. Marketing is my thing. And even though I specialize in a lot of Marketing areas, I'm a generalist. So, choosing Business Administration helped me develop this "overview" skill.

But, I was not 100% right. I thought I'd be going for a job creating new products and advertising for the general public. Working in an office wearing fancy and stylish outfits with high heels.

Instead, years later, after working with B2C marketing for a while, I found myself in B2B marketing. Working remotely, sometimes in my pajamas or workout clothes. I do throw a stylish jacket on top of it when it's time to show up for a video call. ????

I could've started in B2B before, but maybe the story had to be the way it was. Maybe if I got a job in this area before, I wouldn't have moved to the USA and improved my English. Maybe, I wouldn't have had my son at 25. Maybe, I wouldn't love it so much.

This article is more a reflection. There is no lesson. No conclusion whatsoever. Just lose points. It is possible to enjoy your work. However, you may change so much that you don't recognize yourself in the area you first chose.

Even though, I chose Marketing, and I'm still doing it. I had to pivot sometimes until I really found my thing. And I'll probably keep finding new things. So, if you're struggling where you are, or want to totally change your career, go for it. There is always time. Who knows what I'm gonna write about in a few years?

Actually, I do have a conclusion: respect your story and keep pivoting.