Kakuru who had a highly successful career as a barrister decided in his mid-thirties to make a significant change. He felt that he had stopped learning and in addition to this he couldn’t turn his brain off which led to “family issues” and ultimately sickness. He decided to take some time to consider his options so enrolled for an MBA at Makerere University Business School.
During his time studying he became intrigued by the world of teaching so applied for a role on the faculty of the business school. He now works for the business school and has had a variety of roles both teaching and sales/marketing.
In his current role he has regional responsibility for sales and business development in the executive education business stream. For Kakuru, taking a step into the unknown when he was no longer enjoying his highly skilled and lucrative career as a barrister has paid off.
To this day he continues to enjoy his work in education but realises that “a key part of successfully changing career is being willing to retrain and work your way up – zig zag steps” and, “if faced with a decision do the thing with the spark!”
A major pattern in career transition is; A move away from early career decisions, often because a person feels their initial decision on leaving school or further education was wrong or something has changed and they want to transition in a new direction.
There are also noticeable differences in what younger generations expect from their work.
Research has shown that there is a much clearer focus on the self, a respect for peers rather than hierarchy and a greater need for strong balance between life and work.
The millennial generations also expect a good salary package, challenging and interesting work, regular career progression and development. If an employer is not offering them what they want, then they will move on to another employer or begin to look for new ways of meeting their needs.
Conversely GenZ like the money but they can stay on a job that addresses mental health, listens to their views and has a great coaching/ mentorship program. If a workplace lacks these, they will move in a heartbeat.
In a nutshell, know thyself and move when you have to and when you want to
