Two months after moving to London, I received the offer I had always dreamed about: I would work in news publicity at the BBC.
I couldn’t believe my fortune. It was one of those “pinch me” moments that made all the sacrifices, visa paperwork, and career risks feel worth it.
I had grown up watching the network from across the globe and imagined what it would be like to walk the halls of such a prestigious institution. My vision board had the BBC logo front and center.
On my first day, I walked into that historic building with a mix of excitement and nerves. Everyone was lovely. The team was smart and collaborative. The office was buzzing with creativity. I got my BBC lanyard, which I wore with excessive pride, and updated my LinkedIn profile. And yet, something felt off.
I eventually learned that my dream job could evolve as I grow.
My job at the BBC just didn’t feel right
I couldn’t explain it. I walked out of that building feeling despondent. It wasn’t nerves. It wasn’t imposter syndrome. I’d worked hard for this moment. But something in me whispered: “This isn’t it.”
I bought myself a burrito and a cheap bottle of wine and sat on my couch in my tiny London flat.
Instead of celebrating, I stared at the wall, wondering: “What’s wrong with me? What have I done?”
The job itself was still good: challenging and exciting. It came with prestige and opportunities I never imagined. I met prime ministers. I met the Backstreet Boys, which my teenage self was ecstatic about. I got to work on campaigns that made global headlines.
But after a few months, that “not right” feeling didn’t go away. It grew louder.
True success isn’t about a title or organization
I had gotten everything I thought I wanted. But somewhere along the way, what I actually wanted had changed. My values were shifting. I still loved storytelling, communications, and the media — but I was beginning to dream of something different.
The thing is, there was no way I would leave the BBC. It felt like such a key part of my identity, who I wanted to be, the type of people I wanted to be around. How could I let this go after working so hard to get to this moment?
Still, I started exploring the world of online business by listening to business podcasts on my lunch breaks.
I slowly built a coaching and PR business side hustle. One client turned into two, and then a workshop here and a speaking gig there. I wasn’t entirely sure where it would all lead, but for the first time in a long time, I felt aligned.
That sense of dread I couldn’t explain on my first day? It was the earliest whisper of intuition, telling me a new chapter was coming.
One year later, life intervened, and due to visa issues, my hand was forced, and I had to leave the BBC. I left the job, the brand, and the dream I had once clung to. It was terrifying and liberating at the same time.
When everything stops, something new starts to emerge
Years later, I’ve built a business helping entrepreneurs and emerging leaders get media coverage without needing a huge budget or a PR agency.
I teach them what I had to learn the hard way — how to publicize themselves with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.
If I could offer any advice to someone feeling the same quiet discomfort I once did, it’s this: Your version of success will evolve. And that’s not failure; that’s alignment.
Just because something was your dream five years ago doesn’t mean it still fits. It’s OK to change. It’s OK to outgrow the vision you once had. That’s not quitting — that’s honoring your growth.
Sometimes the dream job isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the beginning of a new one.
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