Your Career Journey Is About Learning and Not Knowing It All

Written by: Anurag Choudhary

When I look back at my career journey so far, I see a series of bold leaps rather than perfectly calculated steps. I moved from India to France for my master’s in management, eager to broaden my horizons and challenge myself in a completely new environment. From there, I moved again this time to the UK for an internship with the company where I now work full-time as an AI Marketing Executive.

Alongside my professional role, I also love to help students build confidence and navigate the daunting early stages of their careers. And if there’s one truth I’ve learned along the way, it’s this: you don’t have to know everything before you start working!

1. The Reality of Early Career Uncertainty

   
   

My journey wasn’t a straight, smooth road. There were moments of self-doubt that felt heavier than the assignment burdens we all have been through. I would scroll through LinkedIn and see classmates announcing new jobs, internships or exciting career moves, while I was still sending out applications and wondering if I was falling behind.

This period taught me two things:

1. Everyone’s timeline is different, just because someone starts their career sooner doesn’t mean you are behind.

   
   

2. Clarity builds confidence. I realised it wasn’t enough to just “apply everywhere.” I needed to be crystal clear about what I could do well and equally honest about what I didn’t yet know. That honesty was surprisingly powerful in interviews. It showed that I understood myself and it opened the door for employers to see me as a teachable and adaptable candidate.

   
   

3. Resilience matters! Rejections and delays are NOT reflections of your worth rather they are part of the process. At first, every unanswered application will feel personal, but over time you will realise that resilience is a skill in itself. Each setback nudged me closer to refining my approach and ultimately led me to the right opportunities.

2. The Three Pillars That Made a Difference For Me!

Through trial and error, I found that my career moves were shaped by three main factors  and these are the ones I believe every young professional should consider:

1. Skill Building

This goes beyond just degrees or certificates. It’s about actively identifying skills you can develop whether that’s learning a specific tool/software, improving your public speaking, refining your writing or anything that you feel is right for you. For me, gaining AI marketing knowledge became a key differentiator. It gave me something specific and valuable to bring to the table. 

2. On the Job Experience

No classroom can replicate the lessons you learn when deadlines are real and clients are waiting. Internships, part-time roles or even volunteering can give you that real world edge and confidence. That is exactly what happened in my case, my internships throughout my academic journey taught me through failure. They weren’t just stepping stones, they were the bridge from academic learning to professional reality.

3. Networking

Opportunities rarely appear out of thin air; they often come from people. Building genuine relationships, staying curious about others’ work and not being afraid to ask for guidance helped me open doors I didn’t know existed. Networking isn’t about collecting business cards, it’s about creating connections that can grow into mutual support.

If you want to delve deeper into these tips, read Next Gen Hub's blog providing tips on transitioning from education to the workplace!

3. Certifications vs Communities

While certifications, online courses and YouTube tutorials are endless and widely accessible, I’ve found that awareness of communities around us isn’t as common. These spaces often go unnoticed, yet they're where you can learn the most from people walking similar paths to YOU!

Personally, I can only speak from the marketing world because that’s where I’ve built my career. But within that world, I’ve discovered communities that have taught me a lot.

So, if you're in the marketing world you may be asking: "Anurag, where do I start?"

Well, to support you in building confidence and taking your first steps, here are some spaces and communities worth exploring:

• The Marketing Meetup – friendly and informal events happening across the UK, perfect for meeting other marketers at all stages of their careers.

• Social Circle – a dedicated network for social media marketing professionals to exchange ideas, advice, and opportunities.

• Social North – a hub for PPC (Pay Per Click) and paid media professionals, particularly active in the North of England.

These aren’t just networking events; they’re opportunities to learn, share experiences, and find people who can support you along your journey.

4. You Don’t Need the Whole Map!

When starting your career, it’s tempting to wait until you’ve “figured everything out” before you take the first step. But in reality, you’ll never have the whole map and that’s OK!

I learned this lesson during my move from France to the UK. I didn’t have every skill the role demanded nor a perfect plan for what would come after my internship. What I did have was a willingness to learn, to ask questions and to step outside my comfort zone. That mindset turned an uncertain move into the foundation of my career today.

For students wondering where to start, the key is to ‘get involved’. Look for internships, volunteering roles, university career services or even free webinars that expose you to different industries. Every experience adds a piece to your map and teaches you something about yourself.

What matters most is:

• Being honest about where you are now

• Showing a willingness to learn

• Throwing yourself wholeheartedly into opportunities when they come your way

5. Your Career, Your Formula

If there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s that there’s no single formula for career success. Yes, there are some non-negotiables like professionalism, preparation, persistence but beyond that, the “right” path is the one that works for YOU!

The job market isn’t a treasure hunt with a fixed map. It’s more like a series of doors, some open when you knock, some stay closed and some you don’t even notice until you’re right in front of them. The key is to try, to keep moving and to trust that each step teaches you something valuable.

Once you find the combination of skills, experience and connections that works for you, commit to it wholeheartedly. Your career isn’t about ticking off a checklist; it’s about building something that feels meaningful to you with one step, one leap and one learning at a time. 

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn below

Anurag Choudhary