A Candid Story of Growth

A senior colleague once told me this:

“From what I’ve seen, your 30s define everything. Mess up then, and you won’t see meaningful growth in your 40s or 50s.”

That stuck with me. It’s not about joining a big company—it’s about finding a place with people and systems that help you learn.

You Learn the Most When People Care Enough to Teach

In your 30s, your career is more important than ever.

That’s why starting in an environment that supports you—via mentors, structure, and feedback—can make a huge difference.

Early on, I joined a small startup where nobody had much experience.

I ended up doing everything: small tasks, odd jobs, and mostly learning surface-level tricks. There was no one to hold me accountable.

That company didn’t grow. And neither did I—at least not in any meaningful way.

In contrast, at a larger organization, I landed a IT project manager role despite knowing very little about technology.

Someone believed in me and trusted me with the responsibility.

That tiny phrase changed my life:

“How about you take this project?”

The Journey Was Brutal, But That’s How Growth Happens

I didn’t know backend from frontend, or what "API architecture" meant.

I scribbled notes during technical meetings and spent evenings Googling everything. I learned to ask questions, no matter how uncomfortable.

To designers, I asked to see flowcharts. To developers, I asked for explanations.

I translated technical docs into simpler terms. Some days I felt like a burden—but helpful teammates patiently guided me.

That project taught me:

• - End-to-end architecture

• - Cloud/server basics

• - Project planning under pressure

• - How to manage external teams and budgets

• - Handling unexpected delays and risk

My weekends disappeared.

My weekends were for reading and practicing. I questioned whether I could keep up—but I never gave up.

From Chaos to Confidence: Here’s How I Changed

We eventually launched. Not perfectly—bugs remained, features weren’t ideal—but I was transformed.

I could now describe server specs, wireframes, backend logic.

I understood the importance of early requirements, communication, and risk mitigation. And I owned it all—every challenge and every fix.

Looking back, that experience was mine because no one else could do it for me.

I had to learn fast, ask relentlessly, and lead when no one else would.

Why This Means So Much in Your 30s

• You can imitate 10-year vets by operating like one in your 5th or 6th year

• You may feel incompetent at first—but that's part of growth

• You emerge stronger, faster, and wiser for your next challenge

You’re not expected to know everything. But you are expected to learn fast, own your mistakes, and lead silently—even when scared.

Final Thought: Not Knowing Became My Growth Engine

I wasn’t a tech expert, nor was I an experienced PM.

But that ignorance forced me to ask, to learn, to take responsibility. It was painful—but that's where the real growth came from.

Every meeting, every bug, every sleepless night built my confidence.

And today?

I don’t fear complexity anymore.

I don't shy away from ambiguity. I know I can figure it out—or find someone who can.

I wasn’t perfect. I was persistent.

Your 30s aren’t just a decade. They’re your foundation. Build it wisely.