In learning to follow my curiosity, this past year I have reached out to different people to hear their stories and collect new perspectives. One standout moment was when I met someone working as a business analyst during a company tour. He had the same background as me — accounting and information systems, with internships in audit — and, like me, had just graduated. I reached out to schedule a coffee chat to hear about his journey and how he made the pivot.

In our conversation, I learned when he graduated he had no clue what he was going to do. But through a referral, he applied, landed the analyst role, and was already enjoying his new work. His story showed me how quickly life can shift — and how, even when the path feels uncertain, there is always potential for hope.

That conversation expanded beyond careers into community and faith, and it left me with a lasting insight: opportunities often appear when you stay curious and open. Hearing people’s journeys reminded me that, even in times of turmoil, hope and opportunity are always out there for those who keep moving forward. That’s what drives me to keep learning — to be ready to take the helm when the moment comes, whether by carrying momentum from success or by finding new strength in failure.

At the same time, I felt friction in my own path. I had chosen accounting because I believed it would allow me to “defend” people — to help prevent another 2008-style crisis by strengthening systems and rules. But I also realized fear and stability had played just as much of a role in my decision. As the son of immigrants, choosing lower-risk paths always felt safer, even if it meant sidelining passions like content or music creation.

By the time I stepped into my internship, the mismatch became clear. Without a sense of deeper purpose, excelling in public accounting wouldn’t make me happy. I knew I could do the work and even thrive at it, but it wouldn’t challenge me in the way I wanted. What I was really seeking wasn’t defense — it was the chance to create something meaningful.

That shift became clearer once I started experimenting in tech. Building projects and teaching myself new skills showed me that I didn’t have to wait for opportunities, I could create them. Each small step reinforced the idea that the greatest value I could bring wasn’t in shielding others from harm, but in giving them the chance to grow and build for themselves.

I’ve seen this theme play out beyond tech as well. When I was 18, I wanted to start investing after learning about the power of compounding interest. My first attempt, through a broker who skimmed fees, ended in loss. But I pivoted, opened my own account, and learned by doing. Over time I saw why diversifying into index funds made more sense than chasing single stocks. That hands-on approach not only built my own financial habits but now lets me help friends who are just beginning their journeys.

Today, that same mindset shapes my work. My AI-powered fitness assistant project is designed to help newcomers build sustainable habits through action and small nudges — because I believe the best way to learn is by doing. Whether in finance, tech, or fitness, my north star is the same: creating opportunities that help people help themselves.

Until next time,