Pathfinders in Business and Management

Introduction In a future where dialogues through time are possible, 18-year-old students facing many uncertainties about their future personal and professional lives are given a unique opportunity. They can converse with their 60-year-old self, who has navigated these challenges and emerged successful and fulfilled. This conversation provides insights and wisdom that transcend time.

A long time ago, when I completed my master's thesis at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, I was bursting with ambition to continue my academic journey. However, a crushing setback awaited me. Despite my hard work, my own thesis supervisor refused to recommend me for the highly competitive international doctoral scholarship at the renowned European University Institute in Florence (Italy) that I desperately wanted and needed. His reasons seemed petty and small-minded, especially since in those days the  local doctoral program was in shambles with less than 10% of candidates finishing their thesis on time. In that moment, I felt the harsh sting of rejection and had to confront the reality that sometimes, other people's limitations can try to box us in. My supervisor could not see past his own emotional biases to recognize my potential. But after the initial discouragement, a newfound determination took hold. I realized his opinion did not define my capabilities or my ...