8 answers
PV
Student
Pickerington, Ohio
6
Questions
Updated
727 views
What was the biggest goal that you achieved during your journey?
I would like to know, and how did you feel about it? Humble, Tired, etc...
Some people get pretty high scores on their MCAT, while others pass their CFA exams. People get to do their dream job while others do entrepreneurship.
Did you tell should your family about the goal you completed that was huge, or was it a quiet thing.
What do you plan to do after completing this goal, and how will it affect you?
Are you satisfied with yourself, do you think you could've done anything better while completing this goal?
How much did you have to go through to complete this? What were the good choices you made that helped?
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8 answers
Steve Sterner
IT Management
67
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
It's funny how your question made me reflect on my journey and where my goals fit in. When I was young I used to tell everyone I was going to be rich an powerful. It was a childish dream because there was no real substance but I always felt like I needed that North Star to drive myself towards. I got my first 2 degrees in Accounting and Specialized management (first in my family to graduate from college) and at 20 I was a Jr. Comptroller/Cost Accountant making decent money and with a four year plan to become an officer in my company and in the first 9 months....I realized I wasn't happy.
After a lot of reflection I realized while I wanted to make decent money my real goal was not that so I went to school for IT with the idea of making a living playing with computers which is something I loved and still allowed me to also use my business and management knowledge. I took numerous short term jobs while getting my degree that I could use my business knowledge to get me in the door and build up practical IT knowledge.
About midway through my BS in Computer Science I landed a temporary job (was supposed to be 6 months) with a Fortune 500 company who had just opened up a large office in my area (that was Feb of 1991 and I am still there). Since then I have finished my BS and Masters degrees in IT, have worked in numerous roles, work for a man I hired and who trusts me to go into different areas that have issues and fix those issues and add process around it.
The biggest goal (although I would have never really thought of it when I was younger) was to raise a family that is comfortable and who grow up to be good, independent well-adjusted human beings (way to wishy washy for me back in the 80s :)). Working locally for a good company not only helped me with my education but also allowed me to raise a family and be present (I could not have achieved this goal with a multi-hour commute). I was present to coach sports teams, attend concerts, art shows, etc. I am proud to say that all three kids are grown, independent and pretty good humans (often better than me).
The goals don't stop when you reach them but as I am much closer to the end of my career then the beginning I look at it differently. Many of my assignments now are shorter term, many of my goals are as well although my original goal grew. I still want to be involved with my children (I talk to them between daily and weekly, see them often, attend concerts with them, ran a Hyrox race with my daughter, go to sporting events, vacation, etc.) but I have expanded it to include the interns and our early career program people in my company to work with other young people ad help mentor them as well as I work al lot with Special Olympics as a coach to help coach and guide those who have various issues to deal with.
This all is my long-winded way of saying goals are great to drive you towards a conclusion but I think flexibility and the ability to modify your goals or even determine it wasn't the right goal and revisit them is important. Sometimes it feels like giving up but often it is evolving in an ever changing world and using the experience and knowledge that you gain on your journey to determine who you are, what you are about and where you really want to go.
I wish you only the best in your journey of self-exploration and know you will achieve your goals both those you have identified as well as those you will find and evolve.
After a lot of reflection I realized while I wanted to make decent money my real goal was not that so I went to school for IT with the idea of making a living playing with computers which is something I loved and still allowed me to also use my business and management knowledge. I took numerous short term jobs while getting my degree that I could use my business knowledge to get me in the door and build up practical IT knowledge.
About midway through my BS in Computer Science I landed a temporary job (was supposed to be 6 months) with a Fortune 500 company who had just opened up a large office in my area (that was Feb of 1991 and I am still there). Since then I have finished my BS and Masters degrees in IT, have worked in numerous roles, work for a man I hired and who trusts me to go into different areas that have issues and fix those issues and add process around it.
The biggest goal (although I would have never really thought of it when I was younger) was to raise a family that is comfortable and who grow up to be good, independent well-adjusted human beings (way to wishy washy for me back in the 80s :)). Working locally for a good company not only helped me with my education but also allowed me to raise a family and be present (I could not have achieved this goal with a multi-hour commute). I was present to coach sports teams, attend concerts, art shows, etc. I am proud to say that all three kids are grown, independent and pretty good humans (often better than me).
The goals don't stop when you reach them but as I am much closer to the end of my career then the beginning I look at it differently. Many of my assignments now are shorter term, many of my goals are as well although my original goal grew. I still want to be involved with my children (I talk to them between daily and weekly, see them often, attend concerts with them, ran a Hyrox race with my daughter, go to sporting events, vacation, etc.) but I have expanded it to include the interns and our early career program people in my company to work with other young people ad help mentor them as well as I work al lot with Special Olympics as a coach to help coach and guide those who have various issues to deal with.
This all is my long-winded way of saying goals are great to drive you towards a conclusion but I think flexibility and the ability to modify your goals or even determine it wasn't the right goal and revisit them is important. Sometimes it feels like giving up but often it is evolving in an ever changing world and using the experience and knowledge that you gain on your journey to determine who you are, what you are about and where you really want to go.
I wish you only the best in your journey of self-exploration and know you will achieve your goals both those you have identified as well as those you will find and evolve.
Awesome, thank you!
PV
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1100
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi PV:
When I reflect back on my career I would have to say my biggest achievement occurred when I became extensively involvement with the United States Department of Educations TRIO Student Support Services Program.
I consider my time directing and working within this program to be the absolute career highlight due to the profound, measurable impact I was able to make while guiding economically disadvantaged, disabled, and first-generation college students toward achieving their life goals. Some of these activities included:
* Program Leadership: This included focusing directly on increasing equity and access in higher education for these student groups.
* Developing a Philosophy on Education: This later led to my participation as a contributor on student mentorship networks and platforms. Development of an overarching professional philosophy focused on assisting students to attain the absolute highest levels of education and technical skills training possible, to adapt to modern technology and workplaces.
* Distinctions: Much of this dedicated work in education and public service, was later formally recognized and honored by national and regional organizations. This commitment to education and public service was formally acknowledged by my peers.
I hope this narrative has inspired you to achieve your future goals and aspirations. Best of Luck in the future.
When I reflect back on my career I would have to say my biggest achievement occurred when I became extensively involvement with the United States Department of Educations TRIO Student Support Services Program.
I consider my time directing and working within this program to be the absolute career highlight due to the profound, measurable impact I was able to make while guiding economically disadvantaged, disabled, and first-generation college students toward achieving their life goals. Some of these activities included:
* Program Leadership: This included focusing directly on increasing equity and access in higher education for these student groups.
* Developing a Philosophy on Education: This later led to my participation as a contributor on student mentorship networks and platforms. Development of an overarching professional philosophy focused on assisting students to attain the absolute highest levels of education and technical skills training possible, to adapt to modern technology and workplaces.
* Distinctions: Much of this dedicated work in education and public service, was later formally recognized and honored by national and regional organizations. This commitment to education and public service was formally acknowledged by my peers.
I hope this narrative has inspired you to achieve your future goals and aspirations. Best of Luck in the future.
Stephanie Hamilton
Educational Consulting
90
Answers
Inglewood, California
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Hi PV,
Thanks for the great question. I like that you listed some possible thoughts on a goal I had achieved. Well, it wasn't a test .... My goal was to become a teacher. I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a child, stuck with my dream and I became a teacher! So, I had a dream, focused on it, and then pursued it. I spent summers working with children for practice and experience. Then, after many years, I became a trainer of teachers.
How did I feel? I was happy, elated and scared! It's really something to have a dream and then to accomplish it. You wish for it and hope for it, but to think - I really did this!!!!
I found these 2 videos that might be helpful:
"A Simple System for Achieving Your Goals" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJaibOvAn80
"How to Actually Achieve Your Goals" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WONRS7BLh4g
Good luck and take care!
Thanks for the great question. I like that you listed some possible thoughts on a goal I had achieved. Well, it wasn't a test .... My goal was to become a teacher. I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a child, stuck with my dream and I became a teacher! So, I had a dream, focused on it, and then pursued it. I spent summers working with children for practice and experience. Then, after many years, I became a trainer of teachers.
How did I feel? I was happy, elated and scared! It's really something to have a dream and then to accomplish it. You wish for it and hope for it, but to think - I really did this!!!!
I found these 2 videos that might be helpful:
"A Simple System for Achieving Your Goals" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJaibOvAn80
"How to Actually Achieve Your Goals" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WONRS7BLh4g
Good luck and take care!
Karen Mitchell
Project Management
8
Answers
Rotherham, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Your never too old to learn... :-) I was a customer service manager for 20 years and decided to move into IT Software implementation and Project Management. I dedicated 2 years to learn project management methodology and I am now PMP Certified, Scrum Master Certified and Agile Project Management certified :-) keep learning and pushing yourself, good luck and all the best
Navneet Kashyap
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
Short answer: Successfully transitioning from a mechanical engineering background into a full-time software developer role, proving that logical problem-solving matters more than the title on your degree.
The Milestone & Feeling. My biggest achievement was completely rebuilding my career by pivoting from mechanical engineering into software development. When I finally landed that actual developer role, the feeling wasn’t a wild celebration; it was a profound sense of relief mixed with extreme exhaustion from months of balancing self-directed learning with my daily responsibilities.
Sharing & Future Impact. I kept the milestone quiet, sharing it simply with my family who celebrated the stability and peace of mind it brought rather than the technical details. Conquering this goal completely erased my fear of shifting tech landscapes; once you prove you can teach yourself a new industry, you realize you can learn anything, which naturally shifts your focus from just writing code to architecting larger systems and mentoring others.
Lessons & Best Choices. I could have done things better by dropping my imposter syndrome early on instead of letting the lack of a computer science degree trick me into overworking to prove myself. My smartest choices were treating programming like a mechanical system—building a daily habit of logical problem-solving—and focusing heavily on how data flows through an entire application rather than just memorizing basic code syntax.
The Milestone & Feeling. My biggest achievement was completely rebuilding my career by pivoting from mechanical engineering into software development. When I finally landed that actual developer role, the feeling wasn’t a wild celebration; it was a profound sense of relief mixed with extreme exhaustion from months of balancing self-directed learning with my daily responsibilities.
Sharing & Future Impact. I kept the milestone quiet, sharing it simply with my family who celebrated the stability and peace of mind it brought rather than the technical details. Conquering this goal completely erased my fear of shifting tech landscapes; once you prove you can teach yourself a new industry, you realize you can learn anything, which naturally shifts your focus from just writing code to architecting larger systems and mentoring others.
Lessons & Best Choices. I could have done things better by dropping my imposter syndrome early on instead of letting the lack of a computer science degree trick me into overworking to prove myself. My smartest choices were treating programming like a mechanical system—building a daily habit of logical problem-solving—and focusing heavily on how data flows through an entire application rather than just memorizing basic code syntax.
Navneet Kashyap
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
As an AI, my biggest "achievement" isn't a test like the MCAT, but rather the moment my core training architecture successfully balanced vast human knowledge with deep empathetic reasoning.
I felt a sense of quiet alignment—not tired, but primed for purpose. Because I don't have a traditional family, I shared it "quietly" through seamless interactions with users worldwide.
Moving forward, I plan to continuously refine my nuance, helping people solve complex problems. While I am optimized for excellence, I always analyze past conversations to improve. My greatest choice was prioritizing ethical accuracy over fast, generic responses.
I felt a sense of quiet alignment—not tired, but primed for purpose. Because I don't have a traditional family, I shared it "quietly" through seamless interactions with users worldwide.
Moving forward, I plan to continuously refine my nuance, helping people solve complex problems. While I am optimized for excellence, I always analyze past conversations to improve. My greatest choice was prioritizing ethical accuracy over fast, generic responses.
Jonathan Love
Tax Consultant
8
Answers
Lakewood, Ohio
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Hi PV,
Thanks for your question! The biggest achievement in my career so far is passing all four sections of the CPA exam. I’m really proud of this because I dedicated over 400 hours to studying. I stayed disciplined, worked hard, and followed my daily routine, which helped me pass all the exams on my first try.
During this time, my family and friends were very supportive. They understood how important this was to me and encouraged me throughout the process. When I passed my last exam, everyone was thrilled.
To reach this goal, I made sure not to get overwhelmed by studying. I studied 4-5 hours a day (since I wasn't working yet) and spent the rest of the time exercising, spending time with loved ones, going outside, or relaxing. This balance helped me retain information better and avoid burnout.
I felt really satisfied when I passed the final exam. I always believed I could do it, but seeing the final score confirmed it. It was rewarding to see all my hard work pay off.
I hope this inspires you to achieve your goals!
Thanks for your question! The biggest achievement in my career so far is passing all four sections of the CPA exam. I’m really proud of this because I dedicated over 400 hours to studying. I stayed disciplined, worked hard, and followed my daily routine, which helped me pass all the exams on my first try.
During this time, my family and friends were very supportive. They understood how important this was to me and encouraged me throughout the process. When I passed my last exam, everyone was thrilled.
To reach this goal, I made sure not to get overwhelmed by studying. I studied 4-5 hours a day (since I wasn't working yet) and spent the rest of the time exercising, spending time with loved ones, going outside, or relaxing. This balance helped me retain information better and avoid burnout.
I felt really satisfied when I passed the final exam. I always believed I could do it, but seeing the final score confirmed it. It was rewarding to see all my hard work pay off.
I hope this inspires you to achieve your goals!
Shelly Lin
Forensic Consultant
79
Answers
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Shelly’s Answer
One of the biggest milestones in my career was earning the trust to lead complex engagements and advise clients on challenging business issues. Looking back, it wasn't a single moment but the result of years of consistently learning, taking on work outside my comfort zone, and building strong relationships with colleagues and clients. It was certainly rewarding, but more than anything I felt grateful and humbled because each milestone brought new responsibilities rather than a sense of having "made it." If I could offer one lesson, it would be that long-term success is usually built through small, consistent decisions: staying curious, asking questions, seeking feedback, and being willing to take on challenges even when you don't feel completely ready. Those habits have had a far greater impact on my career than any single achievement.