At 20, I was lost.
I had no clear direction, no big dreams, and definitely no clue about my career, what I wanted to do with my life. I was just going with the flow — following the crowd, making decisions based on comfort rather than courage.
Looking back, I wish someone had told me this: It’s okay to be confused, but don’t let confusion stop you from taking action.
If I could restart my career at 20, here are the 5 things I’d do differently:
1. Stop Following the Crowd, Start Following Curiosity
At 20, I chose to prepare for IIT just because my friends were doing it. Truth? I wasn’t even ready to leave the comfort of my home.
I wasted a whole year trying to fit into a path that wasn’t meant for me. If I could go back, I’d ask myself:
What excites me?
What am I naturally curious about?
What problems do I enjoy solving?
Instead of chasing what everyone else was doing, I’d focus on discovering my strengths and leaning into them.
2. Take Risks Sooner (Even If It Scares You)
My first real risk? Leaving Electronics Engineering after realizing I suck at coding and semi-conductors.
Switching to Mechanical Engineering felt like starting from scratch, but it was the first time I chose what felt rightover what felt easy. And that decision changed everything.
If you’re 20, take the risk. Start the side hustle. Explore that new skill. Fail fast and learn faster.
Because playing it safe might feel comfortable, but it won’t take you anywhere new.
3. Learn High-Income Skills Early
When I graduated, I realized a brutal truth: College doesn’t prepare you for the real world.
I dreamed of working at Mercedes or BMW, but the gap between what I learned and what the industry needed was massive.
If I could start over, I’d invest time in learning high-demand, high-income skills like:
Digital Marketing (the skill that changed my life)
Copywriting (persuasion = power)
Video Editing (content is king)
Public Speaking (confidence opens doors)
These skills pay dividends for life—and no one can take them away from you.
4. Embrace Failure as a Teacher, Not an Enemy
One of my biggest mistakes? Letting go of an internship at Mahale Pvt. Ltd. in R&D just because the stipend was only ₹5000/month.
I was so focused on the short-term pain that I missed the long-term gain.
What I learned later: Every failure is a tuition fee for your future success.
If I could start again, I’d embrace every mistake as a lesson and every setback as a stepping stone.
5. Bet on Yourself (No One Else Will)
When I shifted from Engineering to becoming a German Language Trainer, people thought I was crazy.
But that risk led me to start my own language institute—and within the first month, I earned ₹1.5 lakhs. Something no engineering job could have paid me back then.
When the world shut down during COVID, I pivoted again. I learned video editing, digital marketing, and personal branding—skills that helped me reinvent myself and build a business online.
If I could go back, I’d remind myself daily: You are your greatest investment.
Final Lesson: Reinvent. Build. Grow.
Your 20s aren’t about having it all figured out. They’re about trying, failing, learning, and evolving.
So if you’re feeling lost, confused, or stuck—remember this:
Follow your curiosity.
Take risks before you’re ready.
Learn skills that pay forever.
Let failure teach you.
Always bet on yourself.
Because the most rewarding paths are often the ones you carve yourself.
If this post resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’re ready to take the next step, drop a “READY” in the comments.
Let’s reinvent, build, and grow—together.