While many of my Cambridge MBA peers were posting exciting job updates, I was genuinely happy for them – but also a little nervous about my own quiet LinkedIn.
Since leaving the UK, I’ve been constantly trying things, experimenting, building – but without a job title, a company, a fixed sector, or even a clear function. For a while, that uncertainty made it hard to describe what I do. But now, after seeing off 52 MBA students from the Russian Presidential Academy (RANEPA) at the airport, I’ve realised: maybe undefined is exactly how I want to be. And it’s exactly how I like to live.
It all started back in February, with a few spontaneous phone calls that led to an unexpected opportunity – organising a week long study tour to China for RANEPA, one of Russia’s most prestigious institutions. I remember thinking: If this actually happens, I’ll be so proud of myself.
The road was anything but smooth. No big name company behind me. No ready made platform. Just me and a small team, building everything from scratch. Emotionally, mentally, physically – I was stretched in every direction. There were moments I seriously thought about giving up.
But in that pressure, I grew. I became the director, the driver, the guide, the porter, the translator, even a stand in host. I wore every hat. I gave my first ever speech in Russian – baby level phrases, lots of stammering, blanking out mid sentence. But the audience responded with applause, warmth, even tears. And in that moment, I realised: all the struggles were absolutely worth it. I was the one in tears.
And the irony? I didn’t even go on the international business trip organised by the Cambridge MBA team. But not long after graduation, I ended up creating one – for someone else, across the world.
So, do I have the answer now?
Yes. I am proud of myself. And I’m even prouder that I’ve found peace in being undefined.
