What Does It Take for a Successful Career?

I used to think it’s the talented and hardworking who get success in their careers. I am not so sure anymore.

I mean, I am a biotechnology PhD, a life sciences MS, and a bioinformatics MS. I have published over 200 science articles in diverse academic journals.

Yet, I don’t even have a job. I am unemployed!

My previous jobs were underpaid.

Why so? There are solid reasons. Read carefully, if you relate.

If you are born with a silver spoon, with old money and generational wealth, you may not relate.

Otherwise, my situation might resonate with you.

I come from rural India, from a teacher’s family, with a not so smart outlook on career.

I can confirm that very few people I know who are successful in their fields come from poor backgrounds. Maybe Abdul Kalam (past astronaut and previous Indian president) and Narendra Modi (current prime minister) are some people from poor backgrounds.

Even Rama, Buddha, and Gandhi were from rich or aristocratic families. Do I need to remind you of Gates and Musk? They were born rich.

Back to my story. Privilege is not a word in my life. But I put in effort, lots of it, despite my health issues (hyperhidrosis, an excessive sweating condition).

I got a PhD in a top-notch institute with handsome scholarships. I married a decent guy and moved to the USA.

As most folks, I needed to adjust my career to accommodate life phase changes. For a long time, I didn't have work permits, for I was in dependent VISA.

We got two kids. Now, we have no social support.

How does a woman juggle housework, kids and career, without sacrificing her wellbeing?

My parents are either deceased or too weak to come and help me.

I have seen my women relatives in India, who had long careers, having live-in babysitters with them so they could go to work. It’s not India where we can afford babysitters easily. I have no trust in assigning a nanny to raise my kids. I am an educated mother, so why should an illiterate nanny with her own problems raise them?

My biology field and not much job experience give me scanty opportunities for remote jobs. So, staying home and keeping an eye on kids while earning is tough for me, though I have the ability to consult and significantly reduce healthcare costs of people.

Don’t get me wrong, but I live in California, and I see people here who may be wealthier, but their health knowledge is a big zero. I am afraid, my preschool kid has more medical knowledge than them.

These are the people who have disposable money, so they decide to get risky breast implants, lips surgery, get poisoned, and develop multiple sclerosis or cancer, only to die before 60!

Maybe networking efforts will bring some advantages, but these things are based on mutual help and take time to build trust.

So you see, things that help in career success are:

Parental money and guidance

Social support, especially after having kids

Networking

Some people are successful for being at the right time and place.

I know grievances are pointless. I have to be smart to find my solutions.

Share your career woes if you are handling small kids. Do you agree with what I have mentioned?

Is it often parental wealth and networking that get people the job or career success?

So, if you are struggling in your career, don’t be harsh on yourself.

Do as much as you can do practically.

*Also, lately I see the workplaces in California are very scented due to room fresheners and cleaning agents. I see these things as hormone disrupters, the root causes of all disease. So, I’m not even eager to work in such onsite offices anymore.