Why I'm Choosing an Illiquid Career (Even If It's the Harder Path)

We hear it all the time:
"Pick a clear path."
"Go for the job that keeps your options open."
"Make sure your next move looks good on LinkedIn."

But not every career fits inside a template. And not every person wants to be "easily tradable" on the job market.

That's where the idea of liquid vs. illiquid careers comes in — and personally, I've chosen the illiquid path. Not by accident, but by design.

What Does Liquid vs. Illiquid Even Mean?

Let me explain it simply.

A liquid career is safe, recognizable, and portable. Think: consultant at McKinsey, product manager at Google. Everyone gets what you do. You can switch jobs or industries without having to explain too much.

An illiquid career is harder to define. You might work across different sectors, build things from scratch, or take risks others don't understand. Your experience isn't always "tradable," but it's deep, unique, and meaningful.

It's the difference between working in a well-oiled machine… and building your own machine from the ground up.

Why I Choose Illiquid — and Proudly

Every project I've led — whether it's Cycle, Sani, or Rowad — started without a clear path. We didn't have a roadmap, a big brand, or a playbook. We just saw a gap in the world and decided to build something useful.

• Cycle wasn't just a PM tool — it was a reimagining of how BAs and QAs work together.
• Sani wasn't just a nonprofit — it was a way to show how tech can serve the third sector.
• Rowad wasn't just a student club — it became a movement to push real innovation among youth.

None of that fits neatly into a job description. But it shaped who I am.

I'm not optimizing my career to look good — I'm building depth, perspective, and ownership.
That's illiquid. And I'm okay with that.

My Perspective on Illiquid Careers

Here's what people get wrong:
Illiquid doesn't mean unstable. It means you're investing in assets that take time to mature.

It's like building a startup versus joining a late-stage company. The startup might not sell tomorrow — but if you believe in it and put in the work, the payoff is way bigger (personally, and professionally).

My career might not be "easy to explain" — but I'm building experience that no one else can replicate.

What I've Learned

Your story matters more than your title. What you've built, led, and learned will speak louder than job labels.

It's okay to not be obvious. Some of the most valuable careers are misunderstood until they work.

The goal is not to be liquid — it's to be meaningful.

Final Thought

In a world where everyone is optimizing for what's next, I'm focused on what's worth it.

I'm not building a LinkedIn-friendly resume.
I'm building things that solve problems, empower people, and push me to grow in ways no structured path could.

That's an illiquid career — and I wouldn't trade it for anything.