Turning Setbacks into Karaoke Triumphs

To this point, I’d built so much of my identity around my education and career. I am the child of immigrants with degrees from both University of California, Davis and University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business . I’ve worked at some of the top tech companies where I developed my interest around big data and analytics. My maternal grandmother would always ask about my job and would gloat to her friends about my education and career because my success was her success. Unfortunately, I was quickly reminded that there is so much more to life than work as my grandmother’s Alzheimer’s approached its last stage. I spent all of my time visiting my grandmother and family until the inevitable occurred. Her departure left an aching void, a stark reminder of the delicate nature of life.

My grandmother was my rock and helped mold me into the person I’ve become. As an immigrant, she instilled in me that having a hard work ethic and perseverance is the key to success. In spite of the drive she instilled within me, she never let me forget to enjoy life with my loved ones. After her passing, I had to reevaluate my priorities, prompting within me a profound realization that life’s meaning extends far beyond the confines of professional success.

Faced with an existential crossroad, I made a radical decision. Instead of succumbing to the abyss of unemployment and loss, I chose to embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. I decided to join my friend Sam Tate‘s USC Marshall School of Business class trip and tour Asia.

From the bustling streets of Singapore, to the serene temples of Kyoto, the trip proved to be therapeutic. Traveling across the world with USC Executive MBA’s was one of the most fulfilling and inspirational weeks of my life. They were curious as to how I had ended up joining their class trip. I told my story and they offered uplifting advice. One doctor in the program said, “F**k work, these experiences are what make life worth living! But seriously, we need to find a job when we get back.” We bursted out laughing and I came to the realization that I need to live my life in the moment. So, I enjoyed my Pho and bánh mì in Saigon and sang my heart out at karaoke in Tokyo.

I returned to San Francisco with a fresh mindset. Armed with a newfound purpose, I delved into free training courses in AI and big data. My typical workday now shifted into free Google Cloud online courses, workshops and immersive learning experiences. The world of algorithms, machine learning and big data were all initially daunting, but the challenge only fueled my determination.

I went from someone who had seen a setback as a defeat, to emerge as a resolute competitor. I have very recently re-entered the job searching landscape with a testament to my resilience. Armed with a reinvented skill set, I have navigated interviews with a newfound confidence. The narrative of my journey, from loss to reinvention, has resonated with employers who were able to see beyond the traditional markers of a simple CV.

Today, I stand at the intersection of past challenges and future possibilities. I carry with me the lessons of resilience, the richness of diverse experiences, and the transformative power of embracing life holistically. Last year steered me on a path I never thought I would go down and I couldn’t be more excited.

My journey reflects the intricate dance of fate and choice, illustrating that sometimes the most profound transformations arise from the ashes of what once was.