I am Muhammad Suhair Ahsan. when I first joined university, I wasn’t the guy you’d expect to see winning competitions or getting selected for exclusive trips Because I am literally a bad one when it comes to academic intelligence. My grades were average as usual, and I didn’t have any particular standout skills. To make the things interesting, cherry on top is that I was an engineering student in IT department.
Yet, I ended up making it Securing 1st in an entire IT graphics exhibition, three EXPOs out of city, and even being one of the four students selected for an exclusive trip to Islamabad and becoming the CR of my class. How did I do it?
It wasn’t luck. It is called personal branding.
Understanding Personal Branding
Through my research, I studied some of the most successful people of all time. (not just financially rich ones but the ones who lived wealthy, fulfilling lives in every aspect (relationships, influence, health, and money)). I found out was simple: these people were not born different. They started just like everyone else (with no clarity, no roadmap). But they had one thing in common: a belief that they were meant for more. They built themselves into the best version of who they could be and they did it by building their own personal brand. According to my Research Personal branding, follows three simple steps:
1. Get Well-Known
The first step is to be recognized. And it does not mean forcing yourself into spotlight. It means doing what you love, mastering it, and providing value in a way that benefits others.
For me, this meant engaging with my classmates, helping them with their studies and projects, and making sure I was always learning and growing in areas that interested me. I wasn’t the best at everything, but I was consistent in refining my skills, especially in IT-related tasks. Over time, my name “Suhair” & “Peter” became associated with value, trust, and problem-solving. That’s when the opportunities started coming in.
2. Build Trust
Being known is one thing. Being trusted is another. Many people make the mistake of chasing visibility without focusing on credibility. If people don’t trust you, they won’t support you.
To build trust, I didn’t just showcase my work (because I did not have any) but I built real relationships. I helped classmates without expecting anything in return. I shared knowledge, connected with teachers, I stood at their side when they were alone and ensured that when people interacted with me, they left feeling valued. This step is where your network begins to grow. More people start recognizing your skills, referring you for opportunities, and including you in important conversations.
3. Monetization (Turning Recognition into Opportunity)
The final step is where most people get it wrong. They either try to sell too soon or wait too long. The key to monetization (or in my case for now, gaining bigger opportunities) is to first prove your value through free impact to build up the perceived value.
I made sure my work spoke for itself. When opportunities like EXPOs or exhibitions came up, I was recommended because people already knew the value I could bring. When the Islamabad trip selection was being made, my name stood out, not because I applied for it, but because I had already positioned myself as someone worthy of the opportunity.
Similarly, if you’re launching anything, i.e. a business, a course, or a project, you must create an offer that genuinely helps people. The best way to do this is through two variants:
- Variant 1: A free solution that takes people from Point A to Point B, proving that you can help them.
- Variant 2: A premium solution that takes them from Point B to C, giving them even greater transformation.
When done right, sales (or opportunities) become natural, because helping people make decisions in their best interest isn’t selling, it’s guiding.
The Impact of Personal Branding:
On Students
A personal brand development initiative functions as an inspirational model which peers can observe for their own achievements. When I built my brand it stimulated my classmates to start developing their abilities. The students observed how I managed to obtain prospects which motivated them to position themselves for similar chances. Personal branding encourages students to improve themselves which inspires them to make higher personal achievements.
Impact on Society
A community develops its best condition through members who both pursue their own development while creating meaningful value for others. Students who focus on personal branding development generate success opportunities for their peers besides creating their own success. I invested my time to mentor upcoming students while teaching them the lessons I had learned which strengthened the entire student community. A society flourishes due to people who take ownership of their development because such individuals become skilled and assertive purpose-driven influencers who drive meaningful transformative actions.
Impact on Yourself
The process of personal branding development changed how I see myself as well as how I feel about myself. Now I viewed myself beyond the standard student label because I recognized my worth to contribute things of value. Every time I assisted others I developed myself into a bigger and more capable person. Through strategic positioning and adding value to suitable recipients I generated robust relationships together with exceptional opportunities which helped me comprehend success comes from activating beneficial relationships rather than depending on chance.
Conclusion: Your Brand can be Your Superpower
Looking back, my journey wasn’t about being the smartest or the most skilled, in fact I was a failure if I go and see myself behind. But it was more about positioning myself in a way that attracted the right opportunities for me. Personal branding isn’t something for just celebrities or just entrepreneurs; it’s for every individual who wants to build a life of impact and success.
If you’re in university right now, unsure of how to stand out, start with these three steps: get known for what you do best, build trust by genuinely helping others, and position yourself for opportunities that align with your strengths.
“Your personal brand is your ticket to success, start building it today.”
~Suhair Ahsan
Wow bro, you nailed it, I never thought it that way, you’ve broadened my perspective. Thank you for sharing this gems.
Looking forward for more from you.
Realy great men & helping