To embark on a journey involving your talent, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your unique abilities, passions, and interests
In a world that often emphasizes formal education and traditional career paths, the concept of pursuing talent as a career may seem unconventional. However, it's a path that holds immense potential and opportunities for those willing to explore it. Some of our very own stars Eliud Kipchoge, ferdinand Omanyala, Victor Wanyama, Dennis Oliech, Faith Kipyegon, and Sauti Sol group just to name a few have achieved tremendous success pursuing talent-based career paths.
As a career counselor, who specializes in working with young people in high school and college, helping them match their strengths and abilities to suitable careers, I often encounter individuals with exceptional talents but have never had the idea of considering their talent as a career path. The idea of pursuing talent as a career mostly seems unconventional as most people don’t believe that they should consider talent when selecting a career path or are unsure of how to turn their unique abilities into a fulfilling and sustainable career, especially if they are also performing well academically. A lot of people believe that having financial rewards through talent as a career path is uncertain and short-lived. Let’s take the example of football, a very popular sport in the country, but most young people are not taken seriously when they state that they would like to pursue football as a career and are often encouraged to find other traditional paths However, it's a path that holds immense potential and opportunities for those who are willing to explore it.
Talent manifests in various forms, such as artistic skills, problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities, or even a deep passion for a particular subject or activity like sports, music, drama. From a career counselor's perspective talent can be the unique selling proposition that helps you find your career sweet spot which leads to a fulfilling career
To embark on a journey involving your talent, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your unique abilities, passions, and interests; these often provide valuable clues about your talents. Seek to find that which you have an interest in. Once you've identified your talents, it's crucial to fuel your passion. Most talented individuals are often deeply passionate about what they do, which in turn drives their dedication and commitment. Whether your talent lies in sports, music, writing, coding, or any other field, a genuine passion and hard work for your craft will sustain you through the ups and downs of your journey.
In order to turn talent into a career ongoing nurturing and development is required. This might involve formal education, training, mentorship, or simply practice. Continuous improvement is key to ensuring that your talent remains relevant and competitive in the job market.
Finding how you can use your talent in the job market can offer immense rewards and success as a career or as an entrepreneurial endeavor. Starting your own business or freelance work can be an excellent way to leverage your unique abilities. It allows you to showcase your talent, have creative control, and potentially reach a broader audience. Embracing innovation and thinking outside the box can lead to rewarding opportunities.
While passion is essential, it's also vital to sustain yourself financially. Monetizing your talent may involve various approaches, such as freelancing, consulting, selling your creations, or seeking employment in a company that values your unique skill set. Your ability to monetize your talent depends on factors like market demand, competition, and your marketing skills. With a global stage and evolving economy, there is a shift that is slowly embracing talent as a career path, so this is the time to encourage your young ones to pursue their talent and live a fulfilled career. As they often say Sports is one of those segments that is highly rewarding.
Sylvia Ohaga-Murage is the Co-founder Ramani Careers a career guidance and readiness platform www.ramanicareers.com