Echoes of the Year’s Lessons

A Crisis of Confidence

Growing up, I believed education was the ultimate key to success. Like a mantra, I clung to the idea that hard work and knowledge would unlock every door. I was raised to think that if I excelled in school, the world would naturally recognize my potential. But as I stepped into the real world, I found myself facing a series of locked gates.

Every rejection chipped away at my confidence, and each "no" echoed louder than the last, until I reached a point where regret began to hold me hostage. Regret over the choices I made—or didn’t make. Regret over opportunities I let slip away. And regret over the unwavering faith I placed in a system that felt indifferent to my passion. I began questioning everything: Was it my talent? My persistence? Or was it simply that the world didn’t need my voice?

For a long time, I couldn’t escape these doubts. They clouded my every step, and it felt like I was stuck in an endless loop of self-reflection and frustration. I began to wonder if I had made a mistake by pursuing this career at all. After all, I had been told that success was just a matter of time and effort. But that belief felt hollow in the face of constant rejection.

The Weight of Regret

The regrets I carry are many, but they all stem from one core truth: while I had the theoretical knowledge, I lacked the hands-on experience that employers value so highly. I had spent years focusing on excelling academically, convinced that my degrees and qualifications would be enough to carve a path forward. I poured my energy into my education life, but in doing so, I overlooked the equally vital "experience life."

When I began applying for jobs, I was met with a harsh reality—companies wanted candidates with 5 or 6 years of experience, something I simply didn’t have. It felt like an impossible loop: I needed experience to get a job, but I needed a job to gain experience.

The more I looked for opportunities, the more I encountered the same catch-22. Even when I applied for internships or part-time roles, employers would often dismiss me for lacking hands-on experience. And I, in turn, began to question whether my years of academic learning had been worth it. I had never considered the importance of work outside the classroom, and I now saw it as the one thing that had held me back.

I also regret another oversight that cost me dearly: the importance of networking. I had always believed that a good resume would speak for itself, that my achievements would be enough to open doors. But I failed to realize just how crucial it was to build relationships within my field, to connect with people who could guide and mentor me. Without that network, I was just another name in a sea of applicants, struggling to stand out.

Finding My Own Path

These regrets haunted me for years, but eventually, they became my teachers. I began to see the cracks in my approach and knew I had to do something to change. I realized that aiming for smaller roles—like internships and part-time jobs—could be a stepping stone. But even in those cases, there were hurdles. Most positions required some prior experience or came with fierce competition.

Faced with these barriers, I decided to create opportunities for myself. I started my own YouTube channel as a way to showcase my storytelling skills and build a portfolio. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. I could share my thoughts, ideas, and experiences through video, reaching an audience that appreciated my perspective. At the same time, I began contributing to digital media platforms where I could publish my writing for free. These media houses sometimes accepted my work if it met their standards, and seeing my articles published gave me a sense of validation. However, this work didn’t pay, and I had to grapple with the reality of creating content without financial reward.

But rather than feel discouraged, I took pride in these small victories. They became my way of gaining hands-on experience, building a body of work, and demonstrating my passion for storytelling to the world. It wasn’t ideal, and the road was long, but it was my first step toward reinventing myself and carving out a space in an industry that often felt impenetrable.

Lessons From the Journey

Through this journey of regret, reflection, and reinvention, I learned several lessons that changed the way I approach my career and life. First, I understood that education alone is not enough. Academic achievements are important, but they must be paired with practical experience and the ability to adapt to real-world challenges.

Second, I realized the value of networking. Building relationships within your industry is not just about getting ahead; it’s about learning, growing, and being part of a community that can support and inspire you. A single conversation with the right person can open doors that resumes alone can’t. Networking is not about taking, it’s about sharing, contributing, and being open to opportunities.

Finally, I learned the importance of perseverance. Rejections are inevitable, but they are not the end of the story. They are simply redirections, opportunities to rethink your approach and come back stronger. Failure is only truly a failure if you stop trying. And the moments when I thought I’d reached the end of my journey often turned out to be the beginning of something new.

A Message to Dreamers

My purpose in sharing this story is simple: I hope to prevent others from making the same mistakes I did. While academic goals are important, they should never come at the cost of real-world experience. The world is changing, and employers value skills that go beyond theory—skills that can only be developed through hands-on work, trial and error, and meaningful connections.

If you feel that you’re on the wrong path, take a moment to pause, reflect, and learn from your mistakes. Don’t let regret hold you back, as it did for me. Instead, use those lessons as stepping stones to move forward. Five or six years of your life don’t have to be lost like mine were.

This story is my way of urging you to find your purpose sooner. It’s a call to action to balance ambition with practicality, to embrace growth, and to pursue a path that aligns with both your dreams and the realities of the world. Your journey might not be easy, but it will be worth it.