I'm a Big Tech executive. My journey here has felt like falling forward — painful stumbles and detours, yet still progress.

Wainwright Yu, a technology executive, describes his career at a Magnificent 7 company as a series of near-misses and unexpected detours. Despite facing setbacks, including not landing a return offer after an internship and being passed over for promotions, Yu remained determined to make a difference. Initially, he was rejected for a summer internship, then received an unexpected offer for a full-time position, which he accepted.

However, the real job was not what he expected, and he quickly adapted to his new responsibilities. Over the course of eight years, Yu experienced multiple reassignments and shifts in roles, but each time, he found growth and impact. Eventually, he was promoted to a director position, despite initial setbacks. Yu emphasizes the importance of not letting fear, shame, and disappointment hinder one's progress, and instead, running towards them to earn trust and grow.

Through his experiences, he learned that staying through challenging times ultimately leads to more significant opportunities.