Against The Norm: We Used Our Talents To Make A Career For Ourselves

On Monday, former Othaya MP Mary Wambui, 69, was appointed to chair the National Employment Board – the agency responsible for tracking employment trends for a youthful Kenya.

This drew anger from a section of Kenyans who felt slighted by the hire on account of her age and expertise.

Her appointment mirrored that of former Vice President Moody Awori, 92, to chair the Sports, Art and Social Development Fund, former Cabinet minister Noah Wekesa, 83, as chair of the Strategic Food Reserve Fund and former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, 72, as chair of the Kenya Revenue Authority, among others.

With the Civil Service dominated by an ageing workforce, young graduates are seeking to utilize their talents and ultimately make a career for themselves.

Eric Kinoti, 29

After creating two successful businesses in five years, the entrepreneur has come a long way. He started off by selling eggs and food supplies to schools, to make ends meet.

Today, he is the founder of Shades System East Africa, a company that manufactures and supplies tents for events. He makes Sh150 million in a year.

His advice: “You have to accept that entrepreneurship is a process. As an entrepreneur be prepared to face the challenges head-on and not run away from them. You find that most people give up when failure presents itself. Entrepreneurship is a journey, not a one-off get rich scheme.”

Joanna Kinuthia, 24

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Just like any other graduate, after graduating she went on a job-hunting spree.

“I applied for as many jobs as I possibly could because this was naturally the next step. It is what everyone expected of me, and I felt like it was what I had gone through school for,” she says.

She landed a job and a month later, quit.

“I didn’t like being employed. I felt like I should have been on the other side of the table, running my own venture.

“I was clear in my mind that I would pursue something that made me wake up every morning with anticipation and excitement.”

Joanna then ventured into vlogging, something she had already started while still in school. She decided to make turn it into a full-time job.

Today, she is the founder and owner, Joanna K Cosmetics, a popular makeup line in the Kenyan market.

Her advice: Go for what you believe in and be good at it. A new venture will never be easy, but you must have the will-power to nurse it until it stands on its own feet.

QUICK READ >>> No Human Is Limited: Lessons You Can Learn From Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge,34

Before breaking world records, Eliud started running a business. It is through this business that he discovered his talent.

Just last week, he sought to break history as the first man to run a marathon in under 2 hours. Through his determination, he did just that and proved that whatever you set your mind to do, you can do.

His advice: It is not important to be successful. What is most critical is how you prepare and plan to be successful. Believe in yourself and define faith- the belief without seeing- for yourself, not how your friends define it,

Lastly,

If you want to harvest money, you must plant the seeds of service.