Leading with Purpose: A Girl’s Journey to Self-Empowerment

When I was in school, I still remember participating in several events that broadened my knowledge and perspective. Back then, scholarships and the availability of courses were not as accessible as they are today. Now, with just one click, you can find countless opportunities. It was a journey of self discovery, where you forged your own path through different experiences to uncover your purpose in life. When I graduated, I recall feeling that my purpose was to study and become an Environmental Engineer. I believe everyone feels the pressure during that final year, deciding on a major and meeting the expectations of family, friends, close ones, and even ourselves

When I started university, there were moments when I doubted whether it was truly my purpose or not. However, many experiences showed me that I had made the right choice and that my major offered a wide range of opportunities.  Although men tend to outnumber women in most engineering fields, the opposite was true in my faculty. My colleagues came from different parts of Peru, and each of them inspired me to keep working toward becoming the best version of myself.

When I graduated and became an Environmental Engineer, I thought my purpose was clear. Even though I had been an excellent student, with an impressive resume, and had the opportunity to work for a small Peruvian consultancy and a medium-sized international company in Peru, I couldn't help feeling that something was missing in my life. So, in July of last year, I decided to forge my own path. At times, I felt lost and questioned my purpose, convinced that I wasn’t a leader or someone who could not inspire others. Thankfully, one of my dearest friends came to visit me. She had always been by my side and recognized my potential. She 'brought me back to life' and helped me see the opportunity in my situation. Definitely, #GirlPower.

And in that moment, our project ChamVea (which means 'To Work' in Spanish) was born. I promise to share more about the project in another post, but it’s focused on developing Peru’s first green platform that connects green jobs with Peruvian youth ;). That’s when I began my journey at the intersection of climate change and the labor market (Green Jobs and Green Skills), and I am now working as a consultant with the goal of becoming a Green Jobs specialist. It took me 27 years and many experiences to define my purpose nowadays.

Every journey begins with a spark, and I hope to ignite that spark in girls everywhere. My story is a reminder that becoming your best self is a continuous journey filled with diverse paths. There isn’t just one way to become a leader or to discover your purpose. It takes time, risks, opportunities, reflection, tears, laughter and every moment shapes your unique narrative. It's not about meeting everyone’s expectations, it's about challenging yourself each day and actively seeking out opportunities, because they won’t come to you.

Your present may feel uncertain, and that's perfectly okay. Take a moment to reflect on your past and recognize all the progress you’ve made. The only limit to achieving your dreams and goals is you. Finally, work on developing your best version every day, and when the time is right, you will discover your path, your own purpose. In that moment, you'll look back and recognize the beauty of the journey that shaped you into who you are today.