How To Change Careers – The Story Of 2 Nigerians And An Olympian

Precolonial Nigeria was a community where culture was taught and family trade handed down from father to child. Therefore, the thought of a child changing from one trade to another was almost sacrilege. However, colonial Nigeria saw the introduction of formal education which allowed people to choose career paths that best suited their passion and inborn talents. Presently, the 21st century has experienced a boom in the number of young adults wanting to change careers and while, these stories do not always end well, this article covers how to change careers while avoiding the pitfalls that come along with them.

The first of the five is Mrs Ibukun Awosika. As a young child, she switched passions regularly until she became a graduate in Chemistry from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly the University of Ife). After this stint, she discovered a passion for accounting and followed that trail to frustration. This led her to a job at a furniture company where she left after three months to start her career in furniture making called; The Chair Centre. The lesson from her life’s story showed that the desire to change career is a recurrent possibility and one can change as many times as possible, so long as one is willing to give the best in any career.

UNDERSTAND THE PROFESSION – MR OLUSEGUN ESHO

This is a critical lesson that Mr Olusegun, a banker turned farmer learnt. While he worked as an HR manager in Fidelity Bank with lucrative pay, he knew that one day, he was going to make a change in his career and got a master’s in Agric-Economics to that effect. What this did for him and many others who intend to make a switch is that the knowledge of the new terrain gives an understanding of what to expect and how to avoid a pitfall. When he had made a cash nest for himself, he launched fully into agriculture and is now a CEO of his own flourishing company.

Rina began her career as a professional Tennis Player early in life, represented Great Britain in the 1988 Olympics and had a thriving career. However, after years of long works hours that stretched into weekends and scarcely any family time. She decided to leave her place as a tennis player and focus on a professional career. She went to the London School of economics where she trained herself. Sometime later, she got a job as a trader and is currently a managing Director Textile International and Founder of Culthread London. Her simple key to changing careers is this; when you have done all three points above, be ready to leave.

The stories of these three people lead to the idea of how to change careers from a professional career to a career in Business or vice versa. Whatever it is that one has decided, the principles remain the same, change is constant, understand the profession and be ready to leave. After all, these have been set in place, be sure to check out this article on Creating a Career Portfolio.

Happy New Month from all of us at ConnectNigeria.