The traditional career path, where one chooses a course, attends university, graduates, gets a job, and works their way up, no longer applies to many young Kenyans. A recent Co-op Bank Youth Forum webinar, "Building Your Own Lane: Career Growth, Switching & Creating Opportunities," addressed this issue. Held on September 18, the webinar aimed to help young Kenyans navigate career challenges and create their own opportunities. The event was part of Co-op Bank's weekly Friday webinar series, which focuses on practical conversations around careers, money, enterprise, and opportunities.
Kenya's employment challenge is not just about having or not having a degree. According to the World Bank, there is a mismatch between the skills young people acquire and those demanded by the labor market. Additionally, limited formal employment opportunities and a lack of relevant work experience and technical skills hinder young people's ability to compete in the workplace. This creates a difficult transition from education into work, making career development an ongoing process rather than a one-time decision.
Changing careers does not mean starting from zero. Many skills, such as communication, research, sales, project management, analysis, customer service, and digital literacy, are transferable across industries. The challenge lies in identifying which existing skills have value in the new direction and filling gaps through additional training, practical experience, mentorship, or real projects. The World Bank emphasizes the importance of work experience and continued skills development, noting that many skills are developed through doing rather than classroom learning alone.
The concept of "building your own lane" extends beyond changing jobs. It can mean combining employment with a side business, developing a specialized skill, freelancing, creating a portfolio, or pursuing an opportunity outside the traditional career path. Kenya's labor market already reflects this reality, with a large share of young Kenyans working in informal employment and entrepreneurship and self-employment being important routes into earning opportunities.
Career uncertainty can feel like failure, particularly after spending years preparing for one profession. However, changing direction can also be part of building a career. The Co-op Bank Youth Forum encourages young people to focus on developing skills, experience, and networks that create more options. By doing so, they can create a career path that aligns with their interests and goals.
The Co-op Bank Youth Forum's webinar series provides a platform for young Kenyans to engage in practical conversations around careers, money, enterprise, and opportunities. The series aims to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the job market and create their own opportunities. By exploring topics such as career growth, switching, and creating opportunities, the forum helps young Kenyans build their own lanes and achieve their career goals.
For someone stuck between the career they studied for and the career they actually want, building a new lane may begin with something less dramatic than quitting everything. It could start with one new skill, one useful connection, one project, or one conversation that opens the next door. The Co-op Bank Youth Forum's guidance and support can help young Kenyans take the first step towards building their own career paths and achieving success.
Key points
- The Co-op Bank Youth Forum webinar series helps young Kenyans navigate career challenges and create opportunities.
- Changing careers does not mean starting from zero, as many skills are transferable across industries.
- Building your own lane can mean combining employment with a side business, developing a specialized skill, freelancing, or creating a portfolio.
