Chapter 1: The Unexpected Turn

On the first day, I received the news: I was let go from my job.

This decision didn't come as a complete shock; my recent performance review placed me in a precarious position, indicating that I needed to demonstrate clear improvement within three months or face termination. I had been working for BCG, a highly respected management consulting firm that I had long aspired to join. Despite my relentless efforts and weekly progress, it simply wasn't sufficient.

In a way, I bid farewell to BCG, or perhaps it was more accurate to say that BCG ushered me out the door.

To understand how I arrived at this point, let's rewind to 2019, Singapore.

During this time, I was engulfed in uncertainty. After spending two years at a startup that ultimately collapsed, I transitioned to McLaren, which was a significant highlight of my career, only for them to shut down their Singapore branch. For two years, I wrestled with the question, “What should I do with my life?”

I explored every personality assessment available, some of which delved into concepts of past lives. I sought guidance from mentors I respected, most of whom encouraged me by saying, “You have immense potential; you just need a larger platform!”

I reflected deeply, asking myself a multitude of questions designed to unearth my true self:

• How do I typically spend my Saturday afternoons?
• Where do I find myself most organized?
• What advice do others often seek from me?
• Which aspects of my job do I enjoy more: engaging with people or working independently? Creativity or structured systems?

Ultimately, I realized that Management Consulting was my calling. It offered client interaction, intellectual challenges, and rapid professional growth.

I promptly set my sights on pursuing an MBA, as I had been advised that this would facilitate entry into the “Big 3” consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain).

Within two weeks, I took the GMAT and, despite a less-than-stellar score, I had something to submit with my applications. In the following three weeks, I crafted six essays and applied to various schools. Duke University welcomed me, and I am eternally thankful for that opportunity.

Upon starting at Duke, I received an outpouring of encouragement. Professors and career coaches remarked, “You possess remarkable storytelling skills!” and “I can envision you on television someday!”

In just two months, I felt I had gained more self-awareness than I had in the previous two years. I excelled in recruiting, receiving offers from top-tier tech and consulting firms, including BCG—my dream realized.

However, less than a year into my tenure at BCG, I faced the unexpected layoff. I had believed that Management Consulting was my path, one I envisioned pursuing for at least five years. Now, I found myself questioning my abilities and opportunities.

What would I do next?

I began searching for jobs that piqued my interest, such as Product Marketing and Business Development. Yet, I quickly discovered that most listings demanded qualifications like “5+ years of Product Marketing experience” or “experience managing large, complex contracts,” none of which I possessed.

Given the current job market, where positions received over 200 applications on average, I felt a wave of despair wash over me.

After seven years of work, I found myself lacking relevant experience, and my aspirations seemed to crumble.

I was back to square one, feeling confused and lost, but now with added years to my journey.

To be continued...

Chapter 2: The Road Ahead

In the aftermath of my layoff, I began to reflect on my experiences and the lessons learned...