In a world of polished LinkedIn profiles and carefully curated success stories, I want to share something different: my failures.
Behind every success story lies a mountain of unseen setbacks. By sharing mine, I hope to provide perspective and remind you that setbacks aren't just normal – they're an essential part of any career journey. Are you struggling with job application rejections? Being furloughed? Unemployment? Drowning in student debt? You are not alone.
And these challenges do not define you or your worth:
These "failures" taught me:
- The social impact career journey is unpredictable and nonlinear.
- After years of hustle, I value quality of work-life above all and will no longer provide unpaid labor.
- Don't rely on organizations to take care of you, always be creating options for yourself (interviewing, building relationships, growing your savings, starting a side hustle, etc.)
- Making pivots is easy once you learn how to pitch yourself.
- Experience > education.
- Side hustles need to meet demand, not attempt to create it.
Failure isn't a mark of shame but a natural part of any meaningful journey. Each setback carries its own lessons, and there's profound wisdom to be found in the paths that didn't go as planned – they're as much a part of our story as our successes. As a changemaker, you care about others and already have a lot to be proud of - and no rejections or "failures" can change that.
In solidarity,
Katie
P.S. This idea was inspired by Melanie I. Stehan's article in Nature.
