It’s so easy to scroll through Instagram to see what went right in my life. But you will almost never see the obstacles that I overcame on my perfectly curated feed. Every failure is another opportunity to learn.
I got the idea of creating a failure resumé from the book “What I wish I knew when I was 20” by Tina Seelig. My failure resumé both humbles me and helps me see how far I’ve come. I’m finally able to see the beauty in my failures. I can honestly say that I’m proud of how I’ve turned my failures into successes over the years by not giving up.
When you’re feeling down and find yourself saying “I just envisioned myself being more and doing more at my current age”, I suggest you write down your successes and failures. Then write down SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) goals for your future and a killer plan on how to execute them.
Colleges I wasn’t accepted to
2009 Harvard University
2009 Princeton University
2009 Yale University
2009 Brown University
2009 University of Pennsylvania
With a super low ACT (24) score, what did I expect? The average accepted ACT score at Harvard was 32-35. I was always one who went for what I wanted and landed amongst Cornell University (average accepted ACT score 31-34) with a 4-year full ride scholarship. Who cares if you don’t meet all of the “requirements”. Believe in yourself and GO FOR IT!
Medical schools I wasn’t accepted to
2013 ALL OF THEM
Once again, with a super low MCAT score (21), what did I expect? I can honestly say I didn’t study as rigorously as I should have. Medical school wasn’t my true passion. But I thought the only acceptable career options were to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.
Post Baccalaureate Program I didn’t successfully complete
2014 The Ohio State University
I had to score a 24 on the MCAT to gain automatic acceptance into The Ohio State University Medical School in addition to a year of successfully completing advanced science courses (you know, special requirements for the “underserved"). (The average accepted MCAT score at The Ohio State University Medical School in 2014 was a 34). I scored a 19!!!!! How in the world did I score lower on the second try? =)
Paper rejection from academic journal
2016 Journal of Human Factors
It is important to publish your research in graduate school. After earning my Master’s I submitted my master’s thesis for publication. It was rejected, but I received great feedback from the editors of the journal. I was so discouraged that I stashed it away. I dusted it back off this year. With the help of another advisor, I’m planning to submit to another journal this summer.
Research grant funding that I wasn’t awarded
2018 National Institutes of Health
My advisor and I worked really hard on this grant. It was a grant to fund my doctoral research. I wasn’t awarded the grant and received no feedback regarding why it wasn’t funded. I shrugged it off as “I guess someone needed it more than me”. I’m currently fully funded in my program by other means.
Businesses that failed
2018 The Fancy Success - Special Occasion dresses by Jovani
April 2018 I launched The Fancy Success Special Occasion dresses by Jovani. I remember how special my prom day was to me. What made the day extra special was my gorgeous prom gown by Jovani. I also purchased Jovani gowns for 3 consecutive birthdays. I had an aha moment “I should sell prom gowns online”. Good idea, but poor execution. While millennials make purchases online, our parents don’t like to. Not having a storefront made it difficult to generate sales. I should’ve thought that through, but I’m one to execute expeditiously as soon as I have an idea.
2018 InspoChic-
Designer-inspired fur fanny packs
July 2018 I thought I had a very bright idea. I saw that designer inspired fanny packs were becoming increasingly popular. I decided to launch an e-commerce site selling them. If I say so myself, the products looked amazing. But all money isn’t good money. In my opinion it wasn’t ethical to sell designer inspired merchandise when I aspire to be a world renowned luxury fur designer. I guess I didn’t think that through properly before launching the e-commerce site.
I hope my failure resumé inspires you to keep going after you "fail" and to apply to positions and programs that you think you aren't "qualified" for. Don't be afraid, take that risk.
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