MEDIA: My Unexpected Journey

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The infamous question has echoed in my mind for years. It follows us from childhood into adulthood, nudging us to ponder our purpose and aspirations every now and then.

The reason I am writing this isn’t to dissect the educational system or debate its efficacy. Instead, it’s a tribute to life’s serendipitous twists and turns, and how an unexpected path led me to where I am today.

Part 1 - Dreams Deferred and Unexpected Turns

I wanted to make movies when I "grew up".

The kind of moving pictures that move you. The so-well-scripted stories that would transport audiences, evoke emotions, and linger long after the credits rolled. Writing scripts, directing scenes, and immersing myself in the magic of cinema. That's what I felt was my purpose.

Yet life had other plans for me, just like many of you.?

Denied the opportunity to study filmmaking and screenwriting abroad (as parents often do with their 'spirited' kids), I found myself pursuing a degree in Accounting. Yes, quite the extreme jump from the creative realm of make-believe to the logical one of cells and numbers.

Accounting wasn’t my true passion, but it spoke to my pragmatic side. And during my rebellious phase (which stubbornly persisted until age 26), it was the one subject that came naturally to me without hours of study.

Part 2 - The Mundane Job and the Awakening

So there I was, working as an auditor at EY and KPMG. I accepted my fate, trying to find joy in the mundane. I even contemplated certifications like CPA, CIA, and CMA, envisioning a future as a partner. After all, in my mind, it was just a job.

It didn't take me more than a year to realize that I was wrong. A job without joy is a jail. So I quit and went back to square one where I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up now that filmmaking was in my graveyard of unfulfilled dreams.

But life has a way of surprising us. In 2010, chance led me to an interview for a Media Sales position. I stumbled through my answers, clueless about what the role entailed. Yet, one of my interviewers saw beyond my awkward responses. He believed I was a diamond in the rough, and against all odds, he decided to prove it. This is how I took a leap of faith and dove into unfamiliar waters, a world far away from my comfort zone.

Part 3 - Media: My Unforeseen Playground

From that day forward, and with a little daily dose of courage, my life transformed. Every morning became an adventure; a fresh canvas waiting to be colored with ideas, challenges, and collaborations. Brands sought diverse objectives, and I was there, navigating the evolving media landscape.

Print media, hybrid, digital - the shifts were rapid and the years went by faster than I could realize I was growing up. Data and technology reshaped the game. But there was never a dull moment. Colleagues became family, agency partners felt like cousins, and brands turned into shared projects.

Media became my playground, a place where creativity met critical thinking. I watched my ideas come alive, achieving success for clients with my favorite people by my side. From strategies, to campaigns, to analytics, I found fulfillment in using both hemispheres of my brain.

The imagination that fueled my passion for making movies helped me with the storytelling of my marketing strategies. My accounting skills allowed me to handle budgets and analytics with ease. It all fell into place.

Part 4 - Answering the Ultimate Question

So, what do I want to be when I grow up?

For me, the answer is unrelated to a job description or a career path. It is about the feeling I get from doing the work I'm doing every day. When I grow up, I want to be happy, accomplished, inspired, fulfilled, and the list goes on. Media gave me all that.

When I say “media,” I don’t mean platforms or channels. It’s the people I encountered: the collaborators, the problem-solvers, the passionate and driven individuals around me. It’s the challenges we tackle together, and the milestones we celebrate.

Media is where I found friendships, kindness, and a true family. It’s not merely pixels on screens; it’s the heartbeat of connections.

Part 5 - Gratitude and Reflection

Before I sign off, I would like to share heartfelt thank-yous:

• To God, my guiding light.

• To my mom, who unwittingly steered me away from filmmaking.
• To every believer who helped me grow.
• To colleagues - past and present - for their support.
• To my media friends - I appreciate you.

I wonder though, why does that childhood question still echo every now and then? Perhaps it’s a gentle reminder: I made it, and I’ll keep making it with a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.

Your Turn!

Now tell me, Does what you’re doing today answer the question: What do you want to be when you grow up?