I, at 30, was suddenly fired after earning an international certificate

Today was supposed to be a special day. I finally earned my certification after months of studying. Holding the certificate in my hands, I thought all my efforts had finally paid off—until an email from my company arrived. "We regret to inform you..." it read.

My whole world collapsed. I sat there, gripping my certificate tightly, my heart heavy. At 30, I am not young enough to start over easily. What should I do now?

I stepped into my 30s full of hope. I spent nearly a decade working hard, believing I was building a stable career and climbing a ladder to success.

But today, I lost my job. No income. No stability. I feel like I am free-falling into an abyss. My peers already have homes, families, and steady careers, while I stand here, empty-handed, wondering if I still have a chance to start over.

This certification was not easy to earn. It is more than just a piece of paper. It represents a journey filled with sacrifices, late nights, and exhaustion. I remember when I had to push through fatigue to study at night after a long workday. At 30, my body is not as resilient as before. Every sleepless night came at the cost of headaches and sluggish mornings.

Losing your job at 30 also means losing your sense of security and confidence. I am no longer a fresh graduate who can switch jobs or start over without worry. I have responsibilities, expenses to cover, and people who rely on me. I feel like I am standing in the middle of a storm with nothing to hold on to.

For me, 30 is a difficult age. Not young enough to recklessly chase after dreams, but not old enough to abandon all hope.

But then, I stop and look within myself. Life is not always fair. Some days, you feel like you are on top of the world. Other days, you hit rock bottom.

I have endured long nights of studying, painful failures, and moments when I thought I could not get back up. So why should this setback be any different? The certificate in my hands proves that I am persistent, skilled, and determined. Losing a job is not the end. It is a new beginning. At 30, I still have my health, my experience, and, most importantly, my confidence. As long as I do not give up, I will find a way.

It is true that those in their 30s no longer have the endless opportunities they used to have. But they are far from being too old to keep going. I remind myself of Colonel Sanders, who started KFC at 65, and J.K. Rowling, who wrote Harry Potter in her 30s as an unemployed single mother. They proved that age is not a barrier but a driving force.

I do not dream of becoming that successful, but I believe that I still have time for a change. I have years of experience and the maturity that my 20-year-old self lacked, as well as enough strength to keep learning and adapting.

I share my story not to complain, but to reach out to others my age facing the same struggle. Today, I have nothing but an uncertain future. But I will not let this defeat me. I am proud of my journey, and I am determined to move forward, even if it is just one small step at a time. And I believe you can too.

Every effort matters. Every time you rise after falling, you get closer to success. I believe that as long as I persist, opportunities will come someday.

Do not compare yourself to others as everyone has their own journey. Focus on yourself and push forward every day, even if it is just a small step.

Every day is a new opportunity. No matter how tough the journey is, believe that one day, you will look back and be proud, not because you lost your job but because of what you overcame.

Thirty is not the end. It is the start of a new journey if you dare to take the first step. Even on the toughest days, there are still good things waiting in the future. Persistence and effort are our strengths at 30.

*The opinions were translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.