Reflecting Inward: Navigating Career Evolution through Introspection 1. What does career success mean to you? Career success, in my perspective, entails pursuing my passions and experiencing genuine enthusiasm when heading to the office on a Monday morning, without succumbing to the usual Monday blues. Furthermore, it entails making a substantial impact on the organization I am employed by. If I have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful and tangible way to the company, I would be immensely grateful. 2. What might get in the way of accomplishing this? A potential concern may arise when working for a company not out of personal desire, but rather due to limited options due to my current qualifications, work experience, or financial circumstances. 3. What’s currently missing or under-expressed in your life, the presence of which would make it more fulfilling? The most effective approach for addressing this concern is by establishing regular communication with others. Currently, apart from my parents, I do not have anyone who consistently keeps track of my daily activities and wellbeing. I feel having regular relations with people will make it more fulfilling 4. What’s going well in your career development so far? I believe that my initial job opportunity has set me on the right path towards a potentially lucrative career in fields such as investment banking and venture capital/private equity. Regardless of any uncertainties that may arise, I am grateful to have this particular career option available to me. 5. What’s going less well? I sense that I am being typecasted as the "numbers guy," and although I aspire to break free from this stereotype, it has become challenging due to the specialization of Chartered Accountancy (CA) in dealing with numbers. However, I am keen on transitioning into a more strategic role within operations, which is a distinct field requiring different skill sets. Despite the expectations for me to leverage my strengths in numbers, I am eager to explore and excel in operational aspects. 6. What did you enjoy most in your past jobs? I found great satisfaction in working within a culture that emphasized the enhancement of my communication skills. The environment demanded clear and concise information exchange, which encouraged me to refine my ability to convey ideas effectively. Additionally, I greatly appreciated the flexibility afforded to me in my previous roles. As long as I could accomplish my tasks, the timing and methods of my work were not restricted, granting me the freedom to work in a manner that suited me best. 7. What did you enjoy least in your past jobs? I was employed in an environment with stringent deadlines, where my average working hours were quite long. Over time, this began to take a toll on me, affecting my well-being. Moreover, due to the work-fromhome (WFH) setup, there was limited opportunity for physical interaction, making the overall work experience less enjoyable. 8. What work do you love doing such that it doesn’t feel like work? Through my various experiences, I have explored different areas, and I have discovered that content creation is a realm where the notion of "work" dissipates. Engaging in content creation feels effortless, and I find myself immersed in it for hours on end. 9. What do you consistently receive positive feedback on? I consider myself to be a diligent and dedicated individual. Whenever I encounter a knowledge gap in a particular area, I devote an extraordinary amount of effort and hard work to compensate for it. My aim is to deliver the best possible technical output, and I am committed to putting in the necessary work to achieve that goal. 10. What steps can you take today to proactively shape your career and pave the way for longterm success? To expand my understanding of business operations comprehensively, I aim to gain knowledge across various functional areas, including finance, marketing, operations, and human resources. By familiarizing myself with these aspects, I can develop a holistic perspective on how different functions contribute to the overall success of an organization.