Failure is not the end—just reroute

She dreamed not just of making something of herself, but of making her father proud by following in his footsteps into the defence services. Priyanka Karale trained relentlessly, but despite her best efforts, the uniform remained out of reach. Where many would have paused, Priyanka pivoted gracefully. Refusing to let one closed door define her, she reimagined her path, pursued an MBA, and secured a coveted position at EY Global Delivery Services (GDS), Pune, as their Product Analyst. Let's uncover her inspiring story

We live in a world that idealises the pursuit of a single and alldefining ambition. But, what happens when that dream, the one you’ve cradled since childhood, fails not once, not twice, but three times? “When your dream doesn’t materialise, you don’t stop dreaming,” says Priyanka. “You refine yourself,” she calmly adds.

There was no self-pity in her tone, just quiet resolve. It was the kind of response that made us pause at her thoughtful, composed, and unexpectedly maturity. We couldn’t help but ask the inevitable, and perhaps the most difficult question — does that mean you’ve figured out life?

“Life isn’t something to be figured out— it’s a dream to be lived, as it unfolds,” she said gently. Now that we know Priyanka well, the woman who refined her dreams, let's rightfully circle back to her quieter childhood days, which laid a strong foundation for her.

Back to the beginning

Like many children of servicemen, Priyanka proudly embraced the title of a ‘defence brat’. “As a matter of fact, I was way too studious and dedicated,” she proudly says. Her father, a Navy officer, was not just a role model but a personal blueprint. Born in Mumbai, to a family rooted in Ahilyanagar (previously Ahmednagar), Priyanka’s childhood unfolded across India’s coastal belt, from Vizag to Karwar and Goa, courtesy of her father’s postings. Each city shaped her, subtly refining the grace and resilience that define her today. “I always aspired to become a Navy officer, just like my father. Discipline, commitment, and service were values embedded in me since childhood,” she says, matter-of-factly. It’s a foundation that still anchors her, even as her dreams evolved.

Of broken dreams

With relentless determination, Priyanka was all set to chase her dream of joining the defence forces, just like her father. She left no stone unturned. “But, even after all that hardwork, I narrowly missed it,” she said with utter honesty. “First, I fell short by four marks in the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). Then I missed the Navy’s graduation cut-off by just 3 per cent. And then, there was another time,” she adds. “I was devastated, yes. But not broken,” her voice was steady and reflective, but not bitter.

Instead of crumbling, she pivoted. Years of moving from one coastal city to another had taught her to adapt, to rise. “It helped me let go of a dream when it didn’t work out,” she says, with quiet clarity.

"Life isn’t something to be figured out—it’s a dream to be lived, as it unfolds. When your dream doesn’t materialise, you don’t stop dreaming—you refine yourself"

— Priyanka Karale

Priyanka 2.0

The loss, though painful, gave Priyanka the space to rediscover her dreams and her calling. It gave her the space to recoup herself and reimagine her dreams. During the pandemic, a friend introduced her to Oriflame, a beauty and wellness brand built on direct sales. “Nothing was casual for me,” she recalls. “This wasn’t just a side hustle, it was a chance to find new meaning, a new goal, and it was transformative,” she said. Through it, she learned the art of pitching, connecting with people, and most importantly, how to present herself with confidence. “That’s when I realised, I enjoy branding,” she adds. It was this spark that led her to carve a new path, one that took her to Pune to pursue an MBA in Marketing Management. Her graduation in Civil Engineering from AISSMS College of Engineering, added tremendous value to her resume and knowledge.

No stopping her

The shift to Pune city gave Priyanka wings, along with courage, perspective and confidence. Though independent in spirit, the moment her father dropped her at college and drove away, she couldn’t hold back tears. “The college experience was life changing,” she shares. “My goal was simple — gain knowledge and the right placement would follow”.

During the MBA, she immersed herself in campus life. “Joining clubs, volunteering, even walking the ramp during college fests, gave a boost to my personality,” she says, while adding, “I had already lost 20 kgs while preparing for the defence exams. So, health, confidence and fashion, were part of my evolution. College gave me the space to express that.”

Her proudest academic moment though was scoring a perfect 50/50 in a marketing test. “The marketing skill that I picked up during my Oriflame stint truly paid off,” she smiles.

Preparing for placements, Priyanka unleashed her best self. “Top of my list was to attain an AI certification, learn more in SAP Courses, a sharp focus on Gen AI trends, and participate relentlessly in mock GDs and interviews. My internship was an eye-opener as well, since it gave me clarity and confidence,” she reminisced. And the outcome was splendid. She applied to just one company and landed the job. “I couldn’t contain my happiness,” she beams. Priyanka got place with EY GDS as their Product Analyst.

Today, she’s just begun her corporate journey, ready to explore the world, “Later down the line, I want to open a cozy community café where people can just breathe and belong,” she smiles as she signs off.

Priyanka shares how to prepare for campus placements

Stay curious

Being curious helps students to stay agile, motivates them to explore the world, and pushes them to ask genuine questions. This builds a strong foundation and makes their path to success crystal clear. Keep exploring, never stop learning.

Consistency is the key

What students often forget is, you are what you repeatedly do. Becoming great at something is not an act but a habit. Consistency and discipline lead to success.

Stay updated

We live in a VUCA world where trends change every day. To stay relevant, one must remain abreast of the latest industry developments and strive to master them. Doing so can help you earn better grades, land your dream placement, and bring you closer to your goals. Learning AI in and out, GenAI and industry-specific tools, will take you a long way.

Be yourself

Be so bold, be so knowledgeable, be so confident, that you can truly be yourself during the GD and PI rounds. Don’t copy others, carve your own path. Believe in yourself, and the rest will follow.

Never stop, rebuild yourself

Friends, remember that failure is not fatal, and success is never final. When you stumble, don’t be harsh on yourself. Reflect, learn, and rise again—stronger, wiser, and more focused. Rebuild yourself with purpose and set your sights once more on the goal. And, if your dream doesn’t materialise, don’t stop dreaming, simply redefine it.