Four Years at Meta

Some lessons arrive in a single sentence, from a boss, an editor or a manager, and take years to sink in. These are four that have stayed with me through my years in technology, including my time at Meta, followed by two principles I want to carry forward.

My first job was at a startup. One reason I chose it was the flexibility. I disliked the idea of measuring commitment by who arrived on time or stayed late just to be seen working.

What I discovered was that flexibility did not necessarily mean working less. I often worked longer hours, but I was much happier because I had more control over my time.

My first boss used to say, “The market doesn’t rest.”

At the time, it sounded like a reminder of how demanding the business could be. Looking back, I see it as a lesson about the nature of the industry I chose.

Technology moves quickly. Markets evolve, competition never stands still, and what works today may be irrelevant tomorrow. There are always new things to learn, new problems to solve and new expectations to meet.

When I chose the freedom and opportunity that come with working in technology, I also chose the uncertainty, the pace and the responsibility that come with them.

The freedom to work on my own terms is a privilege. So is the chance to keep learning, building and adapting.

There is no substitute for doing the work. And there is no finish line for learning.

During my final internship at university, I worked with an editor who had spent years building her career across different media organizations.

She once told me how, early on at a smaller publication, every interview and every opportunity demanded tremendous preparation and effort. Later, at a much larger and more established organization, opportunities came more easily.

What stayed with me was her attitude. Despite the stronger brand and greater resources behind her, she prepared for every assignment with the same care and dedication she had at the start of her career.

Over the years, I have been through different stages of professional growth, from the thrill of my first paycheck to the opportunities that come with working at a global technology company. It is easy to grow used to things that once felt extraordinary: a supportive workplace, good colleagues, access to resources, opportunities to learn, and the freedom to do meaningful work. As time flies and the privileges become routine, we forget.

I hope I never forget what first excited me about this industry: the pace, the creativity, the possibilities of technology, and the sense that what we build can make people’s lives better.

I hope I never lose the curiosity I had when I started working: the willingness to prepare thoroughly, ask questions, learn from others and stay humble.

And I hope I keep appreciating every opportunity, big or small, instead of treating it as something I am automatically entitled to.

Fast-paced environments are rarely perfect. People are busy, priorities compete, and collaboration can be hard.

There have been times when I disagreed with how things were done, felt frustrated, or hesitated to speak up because I wanted to avoid conflict.

Over time, I have learned to look at people and situations with more perspective. Everyone has their own strengths, constraints and motivations, and most situations are more complicated than they first appear.

But understanding is not the same as acceptance.

If I see room for improvement, I can take the initiative to make things better. If I have a question or disagree with a decision, I can start a conversation. Waiting for someone else to fix things rarely creates the change I want to see.

Do the right things. Be willing to speak up. Stand up for yourself and for what you believe is right. Because sometimes, if you don’t speak up, nobody else will do it for you.

When I joined a new chapter of my career, I did not feel the excitement I had imagined I would. Instead, I was navigating uncertainty and trying to find my footing again.

I was fortunate to have a manager who gave me patience, encouragement and the confidence to learn at my own pace. One message stayed with me: the company had hired me for my potential, I did not need to know everything from day one, and taking care of myself should always come first.

We spend so much time showing up for our clients, colleagues, teams and responsibilities. We prepare for meetings, deliver projects, solve problems, and try to be dependable for everyone around us.

But we should not forget to show up for ourselves, especially in difficult moments.

Our careers matter, but they are only one part of our lives. Taking care of ourselves is not a distraction from good work. It is what allows us to keep doing meaningful work over the long run.

Two principles I carry forward

Beyond these four lessons, two principles have become increasingly important to me.

My work is not my worth.

In a fast-changing industry, performance, titles and external recognition can fluctuate. It is tempting to measure ourselves by ratings, promotions, compensation, or the status symbols that come with professional success.

I am learning to separate my sense of self from these external measures. I want to play my own game: to build long-term freedom and financial security, rather than constantly chasing comparison or validation.

A career can be an important part of who I am, but it should never become the whole of my identity.

Integrity is everything.

I once asked a former leader what mattered most when hiring for senior roles. The answer was simple: the more senior the position, the more important integrity becomes. Skills can be taught. Integrity is much harder to teach.

The longer I work, the more I understand the value of that answer.

Integrity shows up in everyday decisions: giving credit where it is due, being fair to colleagues, communicating honestly, taking responsibility for mistakes, and doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. A professional reputation takes years to build, but it is ultimately grounded in character.

I want to be someone people can trust, not only because I can deliver, but because they know how I will behave when things get difficult.