I moved to London and finally landed my dream job, but something felt wrong on the first day. It was time for a career pivot.

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.