9 Years of My Professional Journey: From 2016 to Today

21st November 2016 — the day I officially stepped into the professional world.

I still remember that morning clearly.
A freshly printed offer letter, a mixture of nervousness and excitement, and a mind full of ambition. I didn’t know what the next few years would bring, but I knew one thing for sure: I was ready to learn, build, and grow.

Today, as I complete 9 years of work experience, I feel grateful for this journey — the roles I have played, the people I have worked with, and the challenges that shaped me.

Year One: The Beginning

The first year was all about understanding how the corporate world really works —
learning processes, absorbing feedback, and figuring out how to contribute effectively.

Little did I know that these early lessons would stay with me throughout my career.

Growing Through Roles, Teams & Companies

Over the years, I have worked across multiple functions — product, project delivery, platform development, insurance tech, digital transformation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Every role brought something new:

• The ability to manage complexity

• The confidence to lead

• The patience to listen

• The courage to experiment

• The curiosity to keep learning

I discovered that I enjoy solving problems, simplifying workflows, and building digital systems that genuinely help teams and customers.

What These 9 Years Have Taught Me

1. Learning never stops

Every project teaches something — sometimes it's a skill, sometimes it’s resilience.

2. People matter more than processes

The right mentors, colleagues, and teams can accelerate your growth.

3. Ownership builds leaders

Taking accountability shaped me far more than any title ever could.

4. Growth comes from discomfort

The toughest phases pushed me into my biggest leaps.

5. Consistency beats talent

Showing up every day matters. Even small progress compounds.

The Product Mindset

As I moved deeper into product management, I learned how to balance:

• User needs

• Business goals

• Technology constraints

• Operational realities

This is where I found my core strength:
building digital platforms that simplify complexity.

From integrating APIs to managing releases, improving UIs, driving growth, collaborating with tech teams, and ensuring seamless customer journeys — every challenge has added a new layer to my skillset.

Gratitude

I want to thank every colleague, manager, mentor, and team member who contributed to my growth.
Every interaction — big or small — has shaped me into the professional I am today.

And most importantly, I’m grateful to myself — for the persistence, discipline, and willingness to evolve.

The Road Ahead

9 years is a milestone, but it’s not the destination.

I look forward to:

• Building impactful digital products

• Solving bigger problems

• Taking on leadership responsibilities

• Learning new technologies

• Creating value at scale

The journey is far from over, and the next chapter feels more exciting than ever.

Closing Thought

When I started on 21st November 2016, I didn’t know where I would end up.
Looking back, the journey makes sense — the struggles, decisions, leaps, and transitions all shaped a path I’m proud of.

Here’s to growth — past, present, and future.
9 years down. Many more to go.