Balancing one’s career and passion can be a challenging endeavor, yet it is achievable with determination and focus. This is exemplified by 26-year-old Junaid Ali, who works as an ICT professional while pursuing his passion for sports.
Ali’s education journey began with two years in Australia, where he attended kindergarten and Year One before returning to Fiji to complete his schooling. He then pursued a career in information technology.
At the age of nine, Ali started his sporting journey, representing his school and eventually captaining the under-12 team to victories in the southern zone competition. He also excelled in athletics, developing a strong sporting career alongside his academic pursuits. Ali represented Rewa youth and the Rewa district in various competitions and played futsal for Tailevu and Naitasiri before transitioning to Rewa. Recently, he was transferred from Rewa futsal and represented Fiji at the national level.
Balancing his roles as an IT professional and a sportsman, Ali experienced significant personal growth. The dual pursuit sharpened his problem-solving abilities in IT and taught him crucial lessons in teamwork, resilience, and ongoing improvement in sports. These experiences enriched his overall development.
One of the significant challenges Ali faced was balancing his academic commitments with his passion for sports. As he advanced in his education and career, he dedicated considerable time to training and competing in futsal and athletics. To manage this dual focus, he learned to prioritize tasks and manage his time efficiently, adhering to strict study and training schedules, and sacrificing social activities and leisure time.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance has been essential for Ali. Effective time management allowed him to juggle the demands of work and rigorous training schedules. He also emphasized the importance of setting boundaries, staying flexible, and seeking support from mentors and loved ones to achieve a harmonious balance between his professional and personal goals.
Ali’s advice to others is to establish boundaries to prevent burnout and seek guidance from mentors and peers to navigate challenges effectively. This approach ensures consistent progress and fulfillment in both professional and personal areas.