nan | 楠木

Went back to school today to do a campus workshop. Saw a lot of friends, even a high school friend who’s now entered graduate school.

And of course did a lot of discussions. There was such a strong sense of de javu. Last year I was probably in many similar occasions, only that I was not on stage, a listener instead of a speaker. The change of roles has calmed me, made me more mature perhaps, but many similar feelings are evoked.

So many critical issues to address. And it’s so easy to become really obsessed with the details. So easy to forget whether the career path is suitable or not, just lured to it because of the obvious reasons.

I don’t know last year if I really thought it through that this is the perfect career for me. But I felt it was a chance to redeem myself, get myself back on track. I was not a top performer at school, but I wanted to be a top performer in the next stage of my life.

In that sense, I was lucky, because usually only top performers get offers. But I had my unique strengths, which helped me. And I’m grateful for that, but it also reminds me not to make the same mistakes I made back in school. I should try to be consistent in my efforts.

After the workshop, lots of students came up to ask questions. One student took a long walk with me, as I walked through the campus. I found he faced some of the same issues I did last year, but maybe a bit worse. He was eager to enter the industry, maybe not for all the right reasons. Chances, to be honest, were slim. I tried not to discourage him too much, but to give him as many honest opinions as I could. I hope he can achieve his goal, after working really hard.