In Africa, a lot of people have little or no interest in the career they pursue because they choose without considering some very important factors.
Some career paths were chosen by parents, some wanted to keep up with friends, and some followed the path that seemed ‘easy." What was common was that most young people lacked Clarity.
Today in Africa, 70% of the situation is due to people choosing a career based on what other people think.
In my case, I wanted to become a Medical Doctor but I migrated to the Art department because I hated mathematics.
Since I was in the Arts department, I thought I would become a lawyer until my mother told me I would become a Mass Communicator.
Well, I am neither a doctor, a lawyer, nor Mass Communicator.
I am an HR Professional and I wouldn't trade this profession for anything.
My journey started as a fresh high school graduate, where I organized talent acquisition programs and enjoyed coaching high school students to help them figure out a suitable career path based on their abilities and potential.
I did not have any knowledge of business and management until after my university education, where I got a bachelor's degree in Linguistics.
I understand that there are different formulas for choosing a career path you love.
However, as I was reminiscing about my life and how I ended up here, I decided to sum them up into 3 Ps.
3 Ps to guide you through choosing a career path you love
Purpose: This is what a lot of people call your ‘WHY’, remember the saying that if the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable.
As a child, you might not have clarity, Every African Child wants to become either a Doctor, A lawyer, An engineer, or a Pilot.
Growing up, it is important to know what gives you a sense of fulfillment. I guess I did not want other young people to get stuck while choosing their career path and that was why I was devoted to organizing teen programs that revolve around Talent Acquisition, career coaching, and mentorship.
I am fulfilled when I help people actualize their career dreams and I do not think I would have gotten this sense of fulfillment if I were a doctor or lawyer.
Passion: During my compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I engaged in a lot of mass communications activities (I guess my Mum was not wrong after all), and I served on the press team. Did the editorial, and I was reporting, and I had the opportunity to relate with a lot of people.
I enjoyed doing all those things, which is why my expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is not far-fetched because I have always had a flair for inclusiveness.
I love relating to people, learning from them, and listening to their points of view.
Potential: As I mentioned earlier, I studied Linguistics at the university and I immediately went into Human resources and management the moment I got the opportunity,
A lot of people think I am an accidental HR professional because I didn't study management in school. What they do not know is that I have the ability and potential to handle the human resources profession because almost every activity I engage in outside of my regular academic work points me toward human resources, training, and mentoring.
So, I had the potential, but I wasn't able to tap into it early enough because I lacked clarity.
I hope to encourage you to put yourself first when choosing a career path. Staying in a job you don’t love because of money makes you a slave.
You end up having a feeling of unfulfillment, and so many unhealthy situations may set in.
Keep your WHY in mind. Do not hesitate to pay the price that propels you toward your career goals.
I am Florence Idowu, a DEI expert, an HR professional, and your strategic career partner.
I offer more than end-to-end HR services for SMEs, and I help job seekers and employers actualize their biggest career dreams.
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