ContentingLife

In 2011, I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

My gut, however, was already telling me that my future wasn’t in designing machine parts.

My career hasn’t been a straight line. It’s been a journey of curiosity and discovery that led me to a place I never expected: leading content for major brands.

This isn’t just my story. It’s a collection of five lessons I learned on my non-linear career path, lessons that can help you build a more fulfilling career of your own.

Lesson 1: Your Curiosity Is Your Best Career Compass

At my first job after university, I wasn’t just doing my assigned tasks. I found myself fascinated by our company’s website and its potential.

So, on my own initiative, I learned how to use Joomla and proposed a complete redesign.

That project was my unofficial start in marketing, and it was fueled by pure curiosity.

The Takeaway: The work you’re naturally drawn to in your downtime is a powerful clue. Pay attention to what problems you want to solve, even when no one is asking you to. That’s where your true passion might be hiding.

Lesson 2: Rejection Is a Detour, Not a Dead End

Early on, I dreamed of writing for a major tech publication in my country.

I sent them my resume and was promptly rejected. I had no real portfolio, and my first attempt at a translation was awful.

Instead of giving up, I spent the next two years freelancing, building my skills, and creating a body of work.

When I applied again to the same publication, they hired me.

The Takeaway: Rejection is just feedback. It’s a gift that shows you the exact gap in your skills or experience. Use it as a roadmap for what to learn next, not as a reason to stop.

Lesson 3: You Don’t Need Permission to Create Value

While working as a writer, I saw an opportunity to cover a local startup event.

I wasn’t a journalist, but I pitched the idea to my editor. They said yes.

That single act of initiative led directly to me being promoted to Editor-in-Chief for a new vertical they launched.

The Takeaway: The fastest way to grow in your career is to solve problems and create value without waiting to be asked. Proactively looking for opportunities is a skill that will set you apart.

Lesson 4: True Leadership Is About Support, Not Authority

One of my most rewarding experiences was growing a content team from just 2 people to a full department of 12.

I quickly learned that my role wasn’t just to manage tasks, but to be a teacher and a mentor.

My goal was to create an environment where my team was constantly learning and felt fully supported.

The Takeaway: Leadership isn’t about your title. Your success as a leader is measured by the growth and success of the people you are privileged to lead. Focus on empowering them.

Lesson 5: The Learning Never Stops

After a decade of practical experience, I decided to move abroad to get my Master’s in Marketing Communication and Public Relations.

Even today, with all my experience, I am a beginner on YouTube, learning every single day.

The marketing world changes fast. The only way to stay relevant is to stay curious.

The Takeaway: Expertise has a short shelf life. The most valuable skill you can ever possess is a genuine commitment to being a lifelong student.

Building Your Own “ContentingLife”

These lessons taught me that a career isn’t something you find; it’s something you build, one curious step at a time.

It’s about engineering a life around work that truly engages and fulfills you. That’s the idea behind ContentingLife.

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What’s an unexpected lesson you’ve learned in your own career? Share it in the comments below!

And if you’re navigating your own career path and looking for guidance, learn more about my one-on-one mentorship program.