Md Saif Riaz Ansari

My professional life began during the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. After completing my engineering degree, I was filled with the same hopes and ambitions as any graduate. I was even fortunate enough to be placed with a renowned company, Nestlé. It felt like my path was set. However, life often has its own script. For personal reasons, my father did not permit me to take the job, and I had to let that opportunity go.

Rather than being discouraged, I chose to pivot. I pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Tea Management and soon found myself working in the vast, beautiful tea gardens. I dedicated a full year to this industry, immersing myself in a world so different from engineering. But this experience came with its own hard lesson. I witnessed firsthand how nepotism can create an environment where merit and hard work are overshadowed. It was a deeply unsatisfying reality, and I knew this was not my final destination.

It was in searching for a more fulfilling path that I found my true calling. I became an Abacus proprietor and trainer. In teaching and empowering young minds, I finally found the satisfaction that had been missing.

Reflecting on my winding journey—from engineering to the tea industry and now to education—I realized something crucial. The confusion, the dissatisfaction, and the obstacles I faced are the same struggles many young people encounter when starting their careers. My experiences gave me a unique empathy and a deep understanding of how difficult it can be to navigate the professional world.

This is why I have decided to become a career counselor. I want to use my own story—my struggles and my triumphs—to guide others. My goal is to help them avoid the pitfalls I faced and to empower them to make informed, confident choices about their future.

My journey has taught me that a career is rarely a straight line. It is about resilience, the courage to change course, and the pursuit of work that truly satisfies you. Now, I am committed to helping others find their own unique path and build a career that brings them not just success, but also a profound sense of purpose.

Thank you.