My dance through life: On work and Passion
Five years ago, I got my career Eureka moment when my lover at the time asked me a question no one had ever asked. “ what is your career goal in life?”, He probed-but I was confused as to what the answer or right answer was. . I knew I loved writing, arts and culture, and I have always dreamt that my work takes me around all 54 countries of Africa. I wanted to write about Africa’s culture and society. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to go about it until, thanks to the COVID19 pandemic, lockdown and losing the job I loved, it felt like the universe was informing me that this was the right time to pursue my aspirations.
Prior, I did not seem to find people in the exact field I want to delve into. I wanted to tell African stories through art, research on African’s history and be part of the few millions working creatively for the next generation, I wanted Africans to realise that we are similar in unique ways and the strength we need is at the other side of our adversity through social cohesion. until recently I didn’t know how to express this idea to anyone who asked hence I shoved it aside to focus on a more well-defined career path- Media, Communications and Culture. I studied to become a professional and started work at an international media agency. For a while, I loved my job. I was working at one of the most coveted media organisations and that made me proud of myself. I learnt my job description on the job but I still felt unfulfilled. Work became my duty to earn a living, and I had the opportunity to transform lives through media around the world. “Technically, I told myself. it’s not far fetched from what I want to do so it shouldn’t be that bad”. As a highly determined person, it wasn’t difficult for me to embed myself in work and became one of the most influential young people in my team. Work became a key source of my joy and identity. In Nigeria the one question I dreaded when I met new people was when they asked: “ what do you do?” my job gave me that identity, the answer to that question. Like every relationship you spend time with, I fell in love with the individual I was when I was working, I knew she wasn’t living her best life but she had a job and people respected me for that. I got to walk into offices and meet political individuals that I might not have had the chance of working with if I didn’t have my job or maybe not.
However, as time and chance happened to me by becoming unemployed due to the pandemic and all the economic downturns it brought with it, the aspiration was rekindled again. After searching for work experience that defines the field I aspire to go into, I found someone who has been walking the path for over 15 years. Ojoma Ochai has been working in the research and creative industry for long-serving as the middle man between African/ British policymakers and creatives. With an interest in arts management, cultural and creative industries policy and practice, Ojoma is living my dream of ensuring the world listens to Africa and I’m here for it and my current goal is to meet with her,discuss ways i can garner the professional experience I need to become one of the best in this space.
