CHAD Gooden, assistant cold room manager at The Best Dressed Chicken, knows the pressures college students face when navigating career choices. Deciding on a major, planning a career path, and managing expectations can be overwhelming, but as he’s learned, the journey is rarely straightforward.

Like many students, Gooden entered university with a sense of certainty about his future, only to find that the road ahead was full of unexpected twists and turns. Reflecting on his experiences, he realised that having everything mapped out is more myth than reality. From aspiring accountant to finding his niche in operations and supply chain management, Gooden’s journey offers valuable lessons for students and young professionals navigating their paths.

Gooden initially thought he had a clear vision for his career. With a strong aptitude for maths, he was drawn to actuarial science, lured by the promise of a high salary and job security. However, as he delved deeper into the field, he realised that the type of maths required wasn’t what he enjoyed and the demanding lifestyle wasn’t a good fit for him. He pivoted to accounting, thinking it might be a better option.

“I just wanted to get my bachelor’s in accounting because it was expected of me,” he recalls. He knew he was still searching for a career that resonated with him.

His experience is a powerful reminder that choosing a career isn’t always straightforward. “You might think you know what you want to be, but I think it is better to find your path after gaining experience,” he advised.

Various roles and internships shaped his journey to discovering his passion for operations. Initially, working in auditing at KPMG showed him that it wasn’t the right fit. “It was too boring and repetitive,” he said. However, his next job in cost accounting at Best Dressed Chicken helped him discover a real interest in the operational side of business, which he found much more engaging. Subsequently, pursuing a master’s in logistics and supply chain management at Cardiff University further solidified his passion for operations. His journey underscores the importance of staying open-minded, exploring different fields and embracing every opportunity to discover what truly inspires you.

Additionally, beyond technical skills, he learned the critical importance of networking, a lesson he wished he had grasped earlier.

“Networking is vital anywhere in life,” he said.

While he didn’t focus much on building relationships during his bachelor’s degree, he became more proactive during his master’s programme, where conversations with professors significantly shaped his career perspective.

“Networking isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about creating opportunities to showcase your skills and build lasting professional relationships. It isn’t on your GPA, but it’s what’s necessary. Speak to people from different backgrounds and levels. You never know where it might lead,” he urged.

Gooden’s story is a valuable lesson in staying flexible and embracing the unknown. University isn’t just about getting good grades or following a set plan. It’s about exploring, taking risks and learning from every experience, both inside and outside the classroom. In truth, success comes not from sticking rigidly to a predetermined path but from remaining open to change and seizing opportunities as they come.