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Jessie Yang 🌸

@jessieyangs

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helping you design your dream career
🍎 Harvard MBA
👩🏻‍💻 PM in big tech -> founder -> AI startup
💌 [email protected]

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I don’t really enjoy traveling as much as I did in my early 20s. And it’s taken me a while to realize that.

I’m 28, and I’ve traveled now to 27 countries (on track to hit 30 countries by 30!). In my early 20s, I loved traveling and even interned at an airline where I got free flights all summer.

But, as I’m getting older, I’m thinking more about how I prioritize my time, money and energy. And traveling doesn’t hit quite the same anymore.

Here are the 3 main reasons why (would love to hear if you resonate):

1. After a certain number of countries, the novelty starts to wear off. Big cities feel the same, outdoor hikes feel the same, and new places aren’t as exciting anymore.
2. I often travel without my fiancé or family, and even though the trip will be great, I really miss them. Is it really worth it to see so many places if they’re not there with me? I feel like I’m choosing between novelty/adventure vs rootedness/relationships.
3. The cost of traveling is not just money anymore. It’s the cost of messing up my sleep and health routines, missing the comforts of home, and the toll on my physical and emotional energy. I can’t do multiple layovers, red-eyes or budget airlines / hotels anymore.

Overall, I feel like I’ve traveled enough. Especially during this MBA program, often times I’m going to a different country every month and it’s exhausting. I’m losing the joy that I had.

I say this, and I still have a few trips planned, but I’m realizing that travel is not a big priority for me anymore. And that’s ok!

It’s so helpful for me now to have clarity about what does make me feel fulfilled and what I think is a good use of my time, money and energy.

Would love to hear what you think! by @jessieyangs

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10 months ago

I’m unemployed, and this is the morning routine that helped me stay sane throughout all the rejections! Graduated from Harvard in May and been job searching for 2 months. My main learning is to prioritize my health so I can manage the emotional turmoil that comes with job searching. Wishing everyone else the best in their recruiting!! #unemployed #mba #harvard #morningroutine by @jessieyangs

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2 months ago

How I ended up unemployed after Harvard Business School

I graduated from HBS in May 2026, and was unemployed for 3 months. It was a really difficult time for me, but not in the way you would think.

Let me explain.

At 25, I was having a quarter-life crisis.

I had spent 5 years working in tech as a product manager - 2 at IBM and 3 at Uber. This had been my dream in college, but I was miserable. I felt stuck and stagnant in my career, my life, and was completely unfulfilled.

So, I decided to change my life.

I applied to business school with one goal: to become an entrepreneur.

I got into Harvard, Wharton, MIT and waitlisted by Stanford. I couldn’t believe it.

I quit Uber, spent 6 weeks traveling around Europe, and moved to Boston to start the MBA.

And for a while, everything was perfect.

At HBS, I launched my startup - a healthy Asian food meal service @thejadekitchen

It took off faster than I expected and I spent my summer in NYC running the business, cooking meals, delivering orders and finally building something of my own.

For the first time in years, I felt alive again. I had my spark back.

But then reality crept back in.

My business was losing money every week. I couldn’t convince investors to back it. And I was physically and emotionally exhausted.

So, in February 2026, I finally shut down Jade Kitchen.

I was devastated.

I felt guilty for letting down my customers. Embarrassed that I’d spent so much time building something that ultimately failed.

And surrounded by classmates building tech startups, I couldn’t help wondering if I’d been stupid to start a food business in the first place.

For the last few months of my MBA, I tried to figure out what was next. I explored new startup ideas, buying businesses and AI.

I interned at a friend’s holding company, and thought I’d found my next chapter.

But then, I graduated in May, got married in June (after two years of wedding planning!), and realized that opportunity wasn’t the right fit.

So, that’s how I arrived July 2026. Harvard MBA. Married. 28 yo. Unemployed.

Was it worth it? Comment ‘Part 2’ if you’re interested to hear more. #unemployed #mba #harvard #lifel by @jessieyangs

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3 days ago

Day in my life working in China :) I’m here for a business trip for two weeks! I’m a product manager at an AI startup, and here to work with our Shanghai product team. It’s been so much fun so far, lots of good food and bonding with the team. Would you guys ever want to work in China? #mba #productmanager #corporate by @jessieyangs

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5 days ago

my first business trip post MBA! I work at an AI startup in the Bay, but we have a large team in Shanghai, so I’m going to meet our engineering and design team. Excited to go back to China and bring you guys along! Comment below if there’s anything specific you would love to see :) #mba #productmanager #shanghai #businesstrip by @jessieyangs

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6 days ago

It’s officially been one month since I’ve been working full-time and it’s been a harder adjustment than I expected. After being a founder, I wanted a bit more balance in my life - but I forgot how hard it is to carve out time for yourself when you’re working full time (vs working for yourself). Curious to hear how you all make time for yourself with work! #unemployed #mba #harvard #productmanager #tech by @jessieyangs

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9 days ago

how I celebrated my 29th birthday!! So crazy this is the last year of my 20s, so I wanted to acknowledge both personalities I feel at this age - the early 20s girl who loved going out and trying new things, and the late 20s girl who loves staying in for a quiet night with friends. #birthdaygirl #29 #late20s #birthday by @jessieyangs

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11 days ago

unwell because I got to see Adéla live last week at Portola on my 29th birthday!! #transition #adela by @jessieyangs

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12 days ago

happy midautumn festival to all who celebrate! 中秋节快乐 🥮✨ by @jessieyangs

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22 days ago

I truly believe if you can dream it, you can do it. The goal for my 20s was to live with no regrets and test my potential. And I’ve learned there really is no ceiling to ambition!

Inspo: @its.angiechen

#manifestations #mba #20something #lifegoals by @jessieyangs

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23 days ago

day in my life as PM at AI startup! Friday from my first week, where I launched my first product :) I’m harvard MBA, just graduated in May and working at OpusClip - an AI video editing company. It’s been so fun so far! #productmanager #9to5 #corporatelife #diml #corporategirlie by @jessieyangs

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25 days ago

first week of work as a PM at AI startup! #productmanager #startup #9to5 by @jessieyangs

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a month ago