Aarushi Singh Gowrinath

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

One piece of career advice I wish someone had given me when I was younger is to always have confidence in yourself. Confidence and self-belief are crucial in today's competitive world, but they can be challenging to maintain. Even when facing someone who seems more skilled or experienced, projecting confidence can make a significant difference. Confidence not only enhances your own performance but also positively influences how others perceive you. No matter the situation, believing in yourself and displaying confidence will make you appear more capable and resilient.

How did you start building your network?

Getting started is always the hardest part. It can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you don't have a specific interest. For me, I knew I was passionate about medicine and fascinated by anatomy and physiology. When I didn't have any experience to put on applications, I started by joining medicine-themed activities and clubs at school. These initial steps led me to various medical volunteering positions outside of school. From there, I continued to get involved both inside and outside of school, eventually starting my own projects that didn't require a lot of experience, such as independently conducting research and self-publishing a book on the basics of anatomy and physiology. If you're unsure of what field you're interested in, my best advice is to expose yourself to a variety of clubs and organizations at your school and simply pursue what you enjoy. This approach will naturally lead you to bigger and better opportunities that align with your passions and bring you joy in the future.

What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?

The most useful piece of career advice I received as a student came from my counselor. He told me, "You are more than what you are feeling in the moment." These words have stayed with me ever since he shared them during a time when I was feeling particularly low. His advice helped me realize that all the students around me were just like me: ambitious individuals striving to achieve more. In today's competitive world, it's crucial to understand that a single bad moment, rejection, or unexpected outcome does not determine your future success. While setbacks can be painful, they serve as important learning opportunities that contribute to personal and professional growth.