Find My Own Way
I went two years without landing a role in healthcare and pharma PR. It’s a brutal industry. I remember those early days — networking on LinkedIn like a spring chicken, all wide-eyed and enthusiastic — until that energy slowly turned into exhaustion.
Once, I even got reprimanded by an agency executive for reaching out to people she said were “too senior” for someone just starting out. I didn’t know any better. I was just trying to connect, to learn. And honestly, I remember thinking, what kind of day did she have to come off that harsh to someone just trying to get a foot in the door?
Then last Friday, the tides shifted. I got a call from one agency’s HR department:
“We were impressed by your application and are pleased to present you with an offer.”
My heart woke up. For once, I felt seen — not just another name buried beneath a pile of hundreds of applications. I spent the weekend in a daze, feeling like things might finally be breaking my way.
And then came Monday. I woke up to a New Jersey number I didn’t recognize. Normally I’d let it go to voicemail, but something in my gut told me to pick up.
It was another recruiter. She told me she absolutely loved my application — especially the way my website shares my story about living with a disability and navigating the healthcare system. She said it stood out. She said it mattered.
Suddenly, I had two offers in front of me. After months of doors slamming shut, I found myself facing an actual decision. A good problem. I was at a crossroads, but for once I had the upper hand. I could finally start asking important questions — about accessibility, culture, mentorship. I asked if the office and restrooms were wheelchair accessible, and if not, what could be done to ensure they’re ADA-compliant. I asked about standout interns who’d gone on to full-time roles. I started mapping out what the next chapter of my career could actually look like. I set up calls with people who’d helped me along the way to weigh the pros and cons of big agency vs. small, salary expectations, mentorship programs, and long-term growth. It was surreal — like I’d stepped out of the fog and could finally see a few feet in front of me.
And through all of it, one lyric from Wiz Khalifa’s "Find My Own Way" kept echoing in my head: “If you work hard for it, then it comes to you. All it takes is time and patience. Just gotta set your goals and you'll make it there.” Those words kept me going during the toughest moments. It wasn’t easy, but it was always about that steady grind — the belief that if I kept pushing, kept showing up, success would eventually follow.
Through all the rejection, the setbacks, and the waiting, I’ve learned that sometimes you have to make your own way — trust your instincts, take that leap, and give it your all. So here I am. Finally with a foot in the door. And I’m going to keep pounding that foot on the pavement until it leads me deeper into this wild world of press releases, pitches, and capstone projects. No looking back. No shrinking down. Forward, always.
