What’s your career goal?
This is most managers’ favorite question.
They ask to ensure that our responsibilities in the organization align with our career goals. They want to be helpful in our journey. All good, but I’ve always found it awkward to answer that. It’s not that I have an absurd goal that people would find hilarious. The truth is, I don’t have a career goal at all. Sigh.
When I wondered why, I reflected on my own career path.
I remember my first major career shift from developer to sales engineer. It wasn’t part of a grand plan. An opportunity arose, and I simply went for it. I wasn’t chasing a title or a specific goal, but taking that leap turned out to be one of my best decisions. Joining Freshworks introduced me to the startup world, sparked my curiosity about business, and helped me forge lifelong friendships.
From there, I found myself drawn to product marketing and eventually product management. I didn’t have a career blueprint, but each step revealed new strengths I hadn’t realized before. Every unexpected pivot has added depth to who I am today.
Looking back, if I had stuck rigidly to a single goal, I might have missed out on the unique blend of experiences. The freedom to pivot has helped me build a career that feels exciting, rather than predictable.
It made me curious, though—if I don’t have a traditional career goal, what do others aspire to? And here’s what I commonly hear:
- Become a C-level executive.
- Become a startup founder.
- Make a shitload of money.
- Join a FAANG/MAANG/VC firm/Big Four.
- Open a nice cafe/restaurant/boutique.
- Hit 1M+ subscribers on YouTube/Instagram.
- Build a personal brand or become a recognized influencer.
- Make it to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 or 40 Under 40 list.
And the list goes on.
Though I’ve always enjoyed hearing about people’s goals, it also makes me think, “What happens after they reach it?” The good part about having a clear goal is that it motivates us to work towards it. We create a plan, build the right mindset and skills, and do whatever it takes to achieve it. But that doesn’t mean having a goal is the only way to live life the right way.
It’s absolutely okay to be an opportunist.
Being an opportunist doesn’t mean you’re lost or just coasting along. It’s really about being open and curious enough to seize opportunities as they pop up. I truly believe that the beauty of life lies in the richness of diverse experiences. And it’s perfectly okay not to have everything figured out. Sometimes, embracing the unknown, taking a little leap of faith, and exploring unplanned paths can lead to the most fulfilling outcomes.
It’s all a part of the adventure!
Akkshaya Varkhedi 
True. I think the best way is to look at all these things as a project. You current job is a project. You blog is a project. Each one has its own state and we try to complete it. New projects will open over the time. Instead of asking ‘What you want to do?’ we should be asking ‘What and all you want to do?’ keeping you mental model that your path isn’t a singular one
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That’s a nice perspective, Akash! 🙂
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