The Sparks & The Ashes: Wide Awake #5
“What is one thing you are most proud of?”
I could talk about my decision to resign without a back-up job. I’m proud of that - I honestly didn’t know I had it in me to be that brave.
Instead, I want to talk about my career. I built my path with a Diploma rather than a Degree. I started as a junior research assistant, weathered a few setbacks, and slowly worked my way up the corporate ladder. Sure, a Degree might have made it a faster climb, but I’ve never been in a race with anyone other than myself.
One ability I’m genuinely proud of is how quickly I adapt and learn - something my father pointed out about me years ago. Whenever something sparks my curiosity, I dive in, take the time to understand it, and pick it up fast. There’s just something inside that drives me to explore. People like to say curiosity killed the cat, but they always forget the second half of that phrase: satisfaction brought it back. Besides, cats have nine lives - and it hasn't killed me yet.
It might sound like I’m saying education doesn’t matter. In many ways, it does - especially here in Singapore, where paper qualifications are still so heavily prioritized. God knows how many job listings I’ve browsed where a Degree is listed as a hard requirement before they even look at your experience. The government is working to shift that mindset, but real cultural change takes time.
What matters even more to me, though, is drive. The drive to learn, the drive to dream, and the drive to keep moving forward when things get tough. That is what sets you apart. Without the will, there truly is no way.
And that drive applies to everything in life, not just a career. It can be as simple as waking up early to start your day - or sometimes, just waking up at all. It sounds straightforward, but on heavy days, getting out of bed can be someone's greatest victory. If that's where you're at today, you deserve to be proud of that, too.
It’s about honouring the small wins.
Source: The Sparks & The Ashes: Wide Awake #5
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