Have you ever watched Dragons’ Den? It’s that TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to wealthy investors. In our latest Careers project, we did something similar—but instead of pitching products, we pitched ourselves to a panel of “dragons.” This journey of self-discovery required us to dig deep, uncover our unique qualities, and learn how to present our best selves to the world. Here’s how it transformed me.

The project began with a deep dive into understanding who we are, who we want to become, and strategies to help us get there. Reflecting on my core values, I identified my five guiding principles: balance, reliability, continuous improvement, generosity, and adaptability. Recognizing these values gives me a clear sense of direction and purpose, ensuring that my actions align with what truly matters to me.

To further understand myself, I took various assessments and quizzes. I discovered that my personality type is INTJ—Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging. As an INTJ, I thrive on independence and deep thinking, preferring small groups and thoughtful conversations. My decision-making is driven by logic and fairness, always aiming for efficiency and structure. This newfound understanding of my personality traits provided valuable insights into how I approach life and helped me recognize both my strengths and areas for growth.

Image: Skye Gould Business Insider

We also explored the distinction between hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are task-specific abilities like coding or using a particular tool, while soft skills pertain to how we interact with others and handle situations. I realized that my key strengths lie in creativity, work ethic, adaptability, communication, and leadership. Recognizing these skills helped me understand how they shape my interactions and contribute to success in various environments.

One area I want to improve is goal setting. I know it’s a crucial strategy for personal and professional growth. I am a driven person, and writing down my goals regularly will help me achieve more success and satisfaction. This process of defining and pursuing goals ensures that I stay focused and motivated.

The climax of our project was preparing a pitch to present ourselves to a panel of “dragons.” The dragons were PLP parent volunteers with business and human resource experience. Initially, seven minutes seemed like a long time to fill, but as I started writing, I realized there was so much to share. I had to carefully select the most relevant experiences and accomplishments that best represented me.

Practicing the pitch was challenging. Reading it aloud multiple times helped, but speaking without a script was intimidating. With a few days of practice, I grew more confident. It was my story, after all, and no one could tell it better than me. You can read my pitch here!

The day of the pitch arrived. My pitch was the first one after lunch. I walked the halls in my professional outfit, feeling both nervous and ready. It’s funny how you can feel both at the same time. I took a deep breath before entering the room where I was going to pitch myself.

The experience was over in what felt like seconds. The dragons were surprisingly kind and offered constructive feedback. This experience was invaluable as it provided a glimpse into what a real-world job interview would look like. One key takeaway was that it’s okay to be nervous. Admitting my nerves can actually help relieve some of the pressure. The dragons provided excellent feedback on areas for professional growth, emphasizing the importance of exploring various career paths and not feeling pressured to decide my future at a young age. One of my dragons reminded me that the job I want may not even exist yet.

Something both the dragons and I noticed was that I was much more relaxed during the feedback portion of the pitch, where it was more of a conversation and less of a presentation. Keeping it conversational makes your interview way more engaging for both you and your potential employer.

This project was a profound journey of self-discovery and growth. It helped me realize that it’s okay not to have everything figured out at 17 or 18. Pursuing something I’m genuinely passionate about will lead to a more fulfilling life. Learning about the vast opportunities out there and the strategies to seize them has been eye-opening.

In science class, we’re learning about the universe. It’s a crazy, incredible miracle that we’re alive amidst billions and trillions of stars. You only get one life. Make it extraordinary. Seize the day while it’s yours. I will too.

Thanks for reading!