Insights: National Careers Week Panel – Own Your Future

A panel hosted by Rachel Keane, Founder at Digdata during National Careers Week 2026 brought together early-career professionals to share honest reflections on how their careers actually unfolded.

The session, themed “Own Your Future”, featured

• Archie Flynn, Technology Consultant Degree Apprentice, HSBC
• Medha Khurana, Business Intelligence Specialist, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)
• Aliyyah Mohammed, Government Science and Engineering Fast Streamer, Department for Transport

During the session, panellists emphasised that there is no single “perfect” career path. As one put it, “There isn’t one perfect path there,” with careers shaped instead by uncertainty, experimentation, and unexpected opportunities. Another summarised the central message of the event: “Your career is not one decision. It’s a series of decisions.”

Exploring paths, not perfect plans

The panel opened with reflections on how difficult it can be to choose a career early in life when many roles are not widely understood. Archie explained that at school he had “no clue” what he would end up doing, despite an early interest in computers. Medha reflected on a similar experience, saying, “I definitely wasn’t aware that this data industry even existed back then,” adding that her ambitions ranged from fashion to medicine before choosing engineering as a “safer” option.

Aliyyah also described changing aspirations frequently, noting that she had a “very vivid imagination” and considered multiple career paths before discovering engineering and later data. Across all three stories, a common theme emerged: clarity often comes later through exposure rather than early certainty.

As Medha explained, “When you can’t see something clearly, it’s just harder to commit to it.” For all three, their careers emerged through exploration rather than a fixed plan, with Medha adding, “I discovered data a bit later through curiosity… through saying yes to opportunities that felt slightly scary.”

Setbacks, resilience, and unexpected turns

The panel also explored how setbacks often become defining moments. Archie shared a powerful example of losing an apprenticeship after missing his A-level grades, describing the experience as “heartbreaking.” However, after a year of varied work including bricklaying and bartending, he reflected: “After rejection after rejection… I eventually got a job offer. And that just proves you have to keep going.”

Aliyyah described graduating without a clear plan, saying, “I finished my degree and I didn’t know what I wanted to do.” She took a job outside her field before exploring opportunities, short courses, and university support services. Her experience reinforced the idea that career uncertainty after graduation is common rather than unusual.

Setbacks were consistently reframed as part of development. One speaker summed this up simply: “No experience is ever wasted.”

Skills beyond the technical

While all three panellists now work in data-driven roles, they emphasised that technical skills alone are not enough. Medha explained that in consulting she initially focused on technical ability but quickly realised the importance of people skills: “What really set me up for success was listening deeply, asking good questions, and adapting.”

She added that success often depends on understanding what people actually need: “Understanding what someone actually needs and not just what they’ve asked for is half the job.” Communication and adaptability were repeatedly highlighted as essential across all roles.

Archie reinforced this from a technical perspective, noting that confidence and communication matter just as much as coding ability, while Aliyyah emphasised the value of curiosity and problem-solving in applying data to real-world transport systems.

Culture, confidence, and growth

The importance of workplace culture was a key theme, particularly in Medha’s experience at JLL. She described being inspired during the recruitment process by colleagues who were “visionaries” and actively invested in learning and development. She explained, “The ambition and curiosity is embedded in their day-to-day environment,” highlighting how culture can shape motivation and ambition.

This environment, she said, encouraged her to expand beyond her core role, including starting personal projects and challenging herself with new goals. Meanwhile, Archie reflected on early imposter syndrome in corporate life, admitting he initially wondered if he belonged, before realising: “I was hired for me.”

Relocation and new environments were also discussed as important growth experiences. Archie, who moved from Essex to Sheffield, encouraged students to be open to change, while Aliyyah noted that working across different cities and teams helped build confidence: “Get out there and speak to as many people as possible.”

Final reflections: owning your future

In closing, each panellist offered advice for students navigating their own paths.

• Archie encouraged curiosity: “Be infinitely curious… try and find the little things that interest you.” He added, “There is no wrong career choice. Everything is an experience.”
• Medha echoed this, emphasising that careers evolve over time: “Your first decision doesn’t define your entire life. It just defines your starting point.” She also stressed that no experience is wasted and that growth comes from every stage of the journey.
• Aliyyah reinforced the importance of openness and flexibility, saying, “You just have to stay open-minded,” and reminding students that it is always possible to change direction.

Overall, the panel reinforced a consistent message: careers are built step by step, not in one fixed decision. “Owning your future” is not about having every answer early, but about staying curious, learning from setbacks, and continuing to move forward with each opportunity.

You can watch the full recording here.