This is my real-life journey of choosing the right career path in my 20s. From a poor family in Chennai to becoming an L&D Head and founder of Grow With Career — here are the lessons I learned.
⭐ How I Chose My Career Path in My 20s (My Real Journey + Lessons Learned)
By H. Suresh — Founder, Grow With Career
I am 42 years old today.
I was born in 1983 in Chennai, in a poor family, where survival was the first priority — not dreams.
My childhood was simple but filled with struggles:
- Limited money
- No luxury
- No guidance
- No exposure
- Only hope and hard work
Even during school and college, I worked part-time jobs to support my studies.
Sometimes I carried bags in stores.
Sometimes I worked at small offices.
Sometimes I assisted in tuition centers.
I worked wherever I could — because quitting was never an option.
But one thing always stayed stable inside me:
“If I study well and grow my skills, I can change my life.”
That belief shaped my entire 20s.
Today, I am the Learning & Development (L&D) Head in a well-known organization.
I built my own house, and I proudly bought my Hyundai i20 car from my hard-earned money.
And I run GrowWithCareer.com, helping thousands of students and freshers find their direction.
But this journey was not easy…
Here is my real story.
🔥 Introduction: My 20s Were Full of Confusion, Pressure & Survival
People often assume successful people always had a plan.
But my reality was completely different.
In my early 20s:
- I had no career clarity
- I had zero guidance
- I had only pressure to earn
- I had fear of choosing wrong path
- I didn’t know whom to ask for advice
All I knew was:
“I must study. I must work. I must grow.”
If you’re confused in your 20s — trust me, I’ve been there.
🧩 My Real Career Journey: Step-by-Step Story of How I Found My Purpose
🟦 1. Growing Up in a Poor Family Taught Me My First Life Lesson
We didn’t have financial stability.
Sometimes even basic needs felt like a luxury.
But my parents always told me:
“Education is your strength. Study well, you will succeed.”
That one sentence shaped my mindset.
Even while doing part-time jobs, I never lost my focus on studies.
Hardship made me mature early.
It made me disciplined.
It made me hungry for growth.
🟦 2. Working Part-Time Jobs During School & College Built My Foundation
While my classmates enjoyed weekends, I worked:
- Photocopy shops
- Small shops
- Data entry
- Tuition helping
- Delivery tasks
- Part-time office assistant roles
I learned real-life skills like:
✔ Communication
✔ Discipline
✔ Time management
✔ Customer handling
✔ Responsibility
These skills helped me more than my textbooks.
If you’re a student or fresher, you must read
must-have job skills for freshers in 2025.
🟦 3. When I Entered My 20s — I Had Zero Clarity About Career
Everyone around me said:
- “Government job try pannunga.”
- “Engineering panra mathiri irukku.”
- “IT field try pannunga.”
But no one asked:
“Suresh, what do YOU want?”
I didn’t know the answer.
So I decided to start by understanding what I do NOT want.
❌ A job without growth
❌ A role where skills didn’t matter
❌ A field where I couldn’t learn
❌ A future where I worked only for salary
❌ A career that didn’t match my strengths
This was my first step towards clarity.
🟦 4. My First Job Experience Was My Eye-Opener
I got my first job in an MNC company — a big turning point.
It didn’t matter if my background was small…
That ID card gave me confidence.
In that MNC, I learned:
- How organized companies operate
- How professionals communicate
- How teams work
- How careers grow step by step
- How skills create opportunities
This experience laid the foundation for my entire future.
If you are preparing for interviews, start here:
how to answer “Tell me about yourself”.
🟦 5. I Used My 20s to Learn Skills Like My Life Depends On It
Every night after work, I learned something new:
✔ Communication
✔ Digital tools
✔ Presentation
✔ People management
✔ Training & development methods
✔ Career development skills
✔ Leadership
These skills slowly shaped me into what I am today.
🟦 6. How I Discovered My Passion for Learning & Development
In my MNC days, colleagues often asked me:
- “Suresh, can you explain this?”
- “Can you help me prepare for interview?”
- “Can you teach me Excel?”
- “Can you guide me for career decision?”
I naturally loved helping others grow.
This was my turning point.
I realized:
👉 “I am happiest when I help others grow.”
👉 “I love training, teaching and guiding people.”
This passion led me into the Learning & Development (L&D) domain.
🟦 7. From Fresher to L&D Head — My Biggest Career Achievement
Years passed…
I kept learning, improving, practicing, teaching and guiding others.
Slowly, promotions came.
Recognition came.
People trusted my training style.
Students respected my guidance.
And one day…
I became the Learning & Development (L&D) Head.
A boy from a poor family…
Who did part-time jobs to study…
Now became Head of L&D in a respected company.
This is why I always say:
“Your background never decides your future.”
For clarity on growth, read
career growth in 2025.
🟦 8. Building My Own House & Buying My Hyundai i20
This was emotional for me.
I remember the days when our family struggled to pay rent.
Today, I proudly live in my own house.
And I drive my Hyundai i20 — a milestone I always dreamt of.
These achievements were not luck.
They were the result of:
✔ discipline
✔ continuous learning
✔ right decisions
✔ career clarity
✔ years of hard work
🟦 9. Why I Started Grow With Career
After helping hundreds of people personally, I realized one thing:
“India needs simple, honest, practical career guidance.”
Not complicated English.
Not fake promises.
Not misleading information.
That is why I created this website —
to help students, freshers, and professionals grow with clarity.
Everything I share here is based on:
✔ Research
✔ Real experience
✔ HR insights
✔ Industry trends
✔ Practical methods
🔵 5 Emotional Real-Life Stories From My Journey
(Not short — fully detailed as you requested.)
⭐ Story 1: The Day I Almost Quit My Dreams
During college, I once cried thinking:
“Why is my life so difficult?”
I worked part-time, studied late nights, traveled in crowded buses…
But I didn’t give up.
Years later, when I bought my own house…
I remembered that crying boy.
And I thanked him — because he didn’t quit.
⭐ Story 2: My First Salary — The Day I Felt Independent
When I received my first salary from the MNC,
I took it home and gave it to my parents.
They didn’t say much.
But I could see pride in their eyes.
That moment changed my life forever.
⭐ Story 3: The Student Who Made Me Cry
A student once emailed me:
“Sir, I am the only earning person in my family.
Your career guidance helped me get a job.
You saved us.”
I read that email 10 times.
My eyes filled with tears.
That day I knew:
“My purpose is to guide people.”
⭐ Story 4: The Rejection That Became My Blessing
I once prepared for a job for weeks —
But I was rejected.
That rejection hurt deeply.
But it taught me:
✔ How to analyze mistakes
✔ How to improve soft skills
✔ How to prepare smartly
✔ How careers actually work
Later, I used those lessons to help thousands through:
⭐ Story 5: The Day I Realized “This Is My Life’s Work”
After receiving hundreds of emails saying:
- “Sir, your article helped me.”
- “I got my first job because of you.”
- “My confidence improved.”
I understood:
“This is not just a website. This is my contribution to India.”
📊 Comparison Table: My Career Path – Then vs Now
| My Early 20s | My Current Life (Age 42) |
|---|---|
| Poor family | Own house |
| Part-time jobs | L&D Head |
| No clarity | Strong direction |
| Confusion | Purpose-driven |
| Low salary | Financial stability |
| No guidance | Helping thousands |
| No assets | Hyundai i20 + investments |
📌 Checklist: How YOU Can Choose the Right Career in Your 20s
✔ Understand your strengths
✔ Identify what you don’t like
✔ Build essential job skills
✔ Learn communication
✔ Try different small roles
✔ Create a clean resume
✔ Keep learning daily
✔ Don’t compare yourself with others
✔ Believe in slow growth
✔ Be consistent
📚 Pros & Cons of Choosing Your Career in Your 20s
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Time to experiment | Pressure from society |
| Easy to learn skills | Fear of failure |
| Can switch careers | Confusion is common |
| Long-term growth | Hard work required |
🌈 Editor’s Pick
⭐ career growth in 2025
⭐ simple resume format for freshers
⭐ must-have job skills for freshers in 2025
⭐ easy work from home jobs for beginners in 2025
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. How did you choose your career path?
Through self-awareness, skills, curiosity, and experience.
2. What if I come from a poor family?
Your background cannot stop you — I am living proof.
3. What skills matter the most?
Communication, digital skills, and problem-solving.
4. How can I avoid confusion?
Identify what you like AND what you don’t like.
5. How long does it take to build a good career?
2–5 years of consistent effort.
6. How to build confidence?
Improve communication — start with
how to answer “Tell me about yourself”.
7. Can I switch my career in my 20s?
Absolutely — your 20s are the best time.
📣 Call to Action
Your career does not depend on your background.
Your family situation does not define your future.
Your 20s are not for perfection — they are for exploration.
Start learning.
Start improving.
Start believing.
To grow faster, explore:
👉 must-have job skills for freshers in 2025
👉 career growth in 2025
👉 simple resume format for freshers
👉 easy work from home jobs for beginners in 2025
If I can grow from a poor family background to becoming an L&D Head and building my own house…
You can build a beautiful future too.
