Despite years of education and prestigious positions, I realized that my identity extended far beyond my job title. It's a lesson I've carried with me into my current role. While our careers are undoubtedly important, they're not synonymous with our identities or our purpose.

Today, I find myself working alongside colleagues with impressive credentials – PhDs and master's degrees galore – and I wholeheartedly applaud their achievements. Yet, it's crucial to acknowledge that we all arrived at this destination via two distinctly unique journeys, each offering something valuable.