It will always be New York or Nowhere

I visited New York for the first time in 2024, and the first time I stepped out into the city, I knew I had to be here and get the best of it. It wasn’t just the skyline, noise or the glitz and glamour — it was the feeling that something was always happening, and somehow, I wanted to be part of it. It felt intimidating and exciting in equal measure, which, for me, is usually a good sign.

After that first visit, I started thinking more seriously about how I could build a real path here — not just visiting, but growing, working, and challenging myself in this environment. When I learned about the MIP Program, I immediately felt like it was the right opportunity for me to push my career to the next level. It wasn’t just about professional development on paper — it felt like a door into a bigger conversation: leadership, global exposure, and learning how to operate at a higher level, not just technically, but as a professional overall.

I placed a bet on myself and applied for the program. And once I was accepted, coming to New York stopped being this abstract dream and became something very real, which I also long manifested (literally). A little fun fact to make this blog sound less corporate: I was visiting NYC with my family, and took a picture at the Summit One Vanderbilt observatory. Before taking that picture, my relative told me to place my hand on the window glass and make it look as if I’m touching the Empire State Building. 3 weeks later, I get interviewed by Skanska and get accepted (hint: their offices are in the Empire State Building). 

Living and working here is never just one experience. Some days feel like you’re running a marathon before lunch. Other days, you realize how much you’ve grown without even noticing it. The pace is fast, expectations are high, and opportunities show up in places you don’t always expect. Professionally, it pushed me to trust my knowledge more, speak up more, and make decisions faster — which, as it turns out, is a great (and sometimes brutal) teacher.

But the biggest surprise has probably been the personal growth. Living here means constantly learning — not only about your field, but about people, cultures, and perspectives. You become more adaptable, and more honest with yourself about what you actually want long term.

One thing I’m still learning is balance. Ambition is everywhere here — it’s contagious. But I’ve also realized that long-term growth only works if you protect your energy, your creativity, and your sense of self outside of work. Sometimes the biggest wins are not professional milestones, but realizing you can handle more than you thought you could.

Looking back, this experience hasn’t been about one big defining moment. It’s been about continuous growth — small wins, hard lessons, unexpected opportunities, and a lot of learning along the way.

And honestly, I feel like I’m still at the beginning of understanding what this journey will become. And that’s probably my favorite part.

Ledia Libohova