Know Who You Are Before Building Your Career

The Advice Most Students Skip

During our interview with senior aerospace engineer Baktash Hamzehloo, one statement stood out because of how direct it was:

If you don't know who you are, I can't do much for you.

At first, that might sound harsh.

But the deeper point was extremely important: many students spend years trying to become what they think employers want instead of understanding themselves first.

And according to Baktash, that creates major problems later in careers, interviews, and even personal growth.

Why Students Lose Direction

Today, students are constantly influenced by:

• Social media success stories
• Other students' achievements
• Family expectations
• Salary comparisons
• Trending industries

As a result, many students begin chasing careers without asking:

• What am I actually good at?
• What kind of work environment fits me?
• What motivates me long-term?
• What strengths do I naturally have?

Instead, they copy what appears successful from the outside.

And eventually, that creates disconnect.

There Is No "Perfect" Personality

One of the most interesting points from the interview was when Baktash explained that companies need different kinds of people.

Not everyone needs to be:

• Extremely extroverted
• A leader
• The loudest person in the room

Teams also need:

• Analytical thinkers
• Quiet problem-solvers
• Technical specialists
• Creative personalities
• Strong communicators

According to him, students often make the mistake of trying to fit into a generic image of "success" instead of developing their natural strengths.

And that usually becomes unsustainable.

Real-World Example

Imagine two students entering the same industry.

Student A

• Chooses a path only because it sounds prestigious
• Tries to imitate others constantly
• Builds a personality around what seems impressive
• Loses motivation quickly

Student B

• Understands their strengths
• Chooses opportunities aligned with their personality
• Builds confidence naturally over time
• Learns in ways that fit them best

At first, Student A may appear more polished.

But long-term, Student B usually performs better because their path is authentic and sustainable.

That's the type of self-awareness Baktash was emphasizing.

Why Self-Awareness Matters in Interviews

According to Baktash, experienced interviewers can quickly recognize students who:

• Don't really know themselves
• Follow scripted answers
• Pretend to be someone else

Meanwhile, students who understand:

• Their interests
• Their habits
• Their goals
• Their weaknesses

tend to communicate more naturally and confidently.

And that confidence feels real—not forced.

How Students Can Apply This Today

Students do not need to have their entire life figured out.

But they should start paying attention to patterns:

• What work energizes you?
• What kind of environments help you perform best?
• What problems do you enjoy solving?
• What are people naturally complimenting you on?

Self-awareness develops gradually through:

• Experience
• Reflection
• Projects
• Failure
• Observation

And according to Baktash, that process is critical for long-term career growth.

The Bigger Lesson

Success is not about becoming a copy of someone else.

It's about understanding your own strengths deeply enough to build a path that fits you.

Because careers become much harder when students spend years pretending to be people they are not.

And in competitive industries, authenticity combined with self-awareness becomes a major advantage.

Credit & Interview Source

This article is based on insights shared during our interview with Baktash Hamzehloo, where he discussed hiring, self-awareness, student development, communication, and long-term career growth in engineering and professional industries.