It's never too late to change career direction
Monday, 08 February 2010 12:18 | 
Author: stephen | 
Interview with Frances Mensah Williams, CEO, Interims for Development and Editor of ReConnect Africa.com
Losing one’s job can be a sad experience especially under the current economic crisis. But considering the fact that many people usually fall into the careers they are in rather than actively choose them, losing your job may be “an opportunity to get back on track doing what you really love,” says Mrs. Frances Mensah Williams, the Chief Executive of Interims for Development, an award-winning UK-based Human Resources, Careers and Training consultancy. Interims for Development has successfully assisted businesses and organisations across Africa, providing volunteer Interim Managers for skills and capacity building as well as HR consultancy services, Diaspora recruitment and in-house/open training programmes.
Mrs. Williams is also the publisher and Editor of ReConnect Africa (www.reconnectafrica.com), an online magazine and website providing essential information on careers and business for African professionals in the Diaspora. ReConnect Africa recently won the Adler Award for Best Media. A graduate in French from the University of Reading and the Nouvelle Sorbonne, Paris, and the holder of a post-graduate Linguists’ Diploma, Mrs. Williams has over 20 years’ experience in HR, training, operational and consultancy roles within the Financial Services, Advertising, Energy and IT industries both in Europe and in Africa. She has successfully set up and managed corporate Human Resources functions and delivered training seminars and workshops in Africa and the UK.
Based in London, Mrs. Williams writes on issues relating to skills development in Africa and harnessing the talents of the African Diaspora. She provides career coaching to senior level clients and MBA graduates as well as African professionals within the UK, assisting them with Career Management and outplacement strategies. She also develops and runs training programmes across a range of management and entrepreneurial skills. In this exclusive interview with The AfroNews, Mrs. Williams reveals some of the common mistakes people make when choosing careers, the sectors which are least affected by the crisis and how to choose the right career. She also has some advice for those who’ve lost their jobs or are about to lose them.
Mrs. Williams, can you tell us something about what you do?
I am the CEO of a Human Resources, Training and Careers consultancy that I set up in 2002 called Interims for Development Ltd. Over the years we have supported many organisations based in Africa and the UK with Human Resources advisory services, management training and career development programmes. We also publish ReConnect Africa, a website and free online careers, business and news magazine for professionals of African origin. The website provides a wide range of free information and advice on careers and business, job vacancies in the UK and Africa, as well as monthly features and articles of interest to Africans living and working in the UK. In fact, we now also have many readers based in Africa and from all around the world. We have recently upgraded the website and have introduced a lot of new content, including information on relocation to Africa, a listing of recruitment agencies in Africa and of companies recruiting African professionals.
To what extent is the economic crisis affecting the black community members in the UK?
In common with all communities in the UK, the economic crisis has had a major impact on the black community. Where jobs are scarce, the impact of silent discrimination becomes even more pervasive and can lead to many people feeling powerless and frustrated as they try to take control of the situation they find themselves in. In the United States, the economic crisis and subsequent job losses have had a disproportionate effect on black and minority communities and while we have no specific statistics for the UK, it is likely that there has been a similar impact.
From your experience, do you think most black community members in the UK chose or choose the right carers?
I think it is true to say that many of us – wherever we are from - fall into the careers we are in, rather than actively choose them! In my work as a Careers Coach, I am frequently faced with people who simply ended up in a particular line of work, or were pushed into it by parents or school careers advisors, and ended up staying there because of the experience they had built up, rather than because they enjoy the job.
At the same time, I think it’s fair to say that immigrants and ethnic minorities are more likely to take jobs that are offered to them, rather than holding out for their ‘ideal’ jobs. This may be due to a lack of confidence about better opportunities arising or a sense (true or imagined) that they are not likely to land their dream job in a foreign country. I think, however, that things are shifting somewhat for younger generations. A recent survey that we talked about on ReConnect Africa showed that for 16 to 18 year olds – or Generation Y in demographic speak – careers such as Medicine, Law and the Arts are now seen as ‘uncool’. The study showed that this generation has an affinity for both practical education and to pursue cool, ‘sexy’ careers, mostly within the creative industry. Of the students polled, careers in television (25%), the music industry (24%), film (23%) and digital media (22%) featured most frequently, while over 65% of respondents rated ‘acting’ as a job which ‘attracts the sexiest people’. The survey also showed a marked shift towards practical education, with an astonishing 83% of those considering future education specifying that they would rather pursue studies that gave them practical skills which are ‘useful in the real world’.
While this survey wasn’t analysed against race, it shows an interesting trend for today’s youth. This offers an example to older people about re-evaluating their career choices. Certainly, from the clients I work with, it’s clear that it’s never too late to change career direction and to find a role that suits your talents and fulfils you.
Which are some of the careers least affected by the crisis in the UK and elsewhere?
While almost all the economy has been hit by the recession that we are still experiencing in the UK, some sectors are proving more resilient than others, and therefore offering better opportunities for jobs going forward. Technological advances continue to make IT a popular area, particularly with the integration of IT and digital communications. This makes options such as computer programming, hardware engineering, web development, systems analysis and design popular options.
Another area that has been less affected is the healthcare sector and care of the elderly. With a growing ageing population in this country and more medical care available, demand for healthcare roles such as nursing, nursing aides and orderlies, as well as admin and support roles is still stable. Teaching has become a very popular option for many people and there is still demand for teachers, particularly at secondary level and for subjects such as Maths and Science.
How can one choose the right career?
The right career can be different things at different times, depending on your interests, lifestyle and priorities. A career that may suit a single, mobile and ambitious young graduate may be completely unsuitable to a working parent with caring responsibilities. It’s important to realise, however, that not everyone wants a career. Some people are quite happy to have a job that pays the bills and that they don’t have to think about outside working hours, enabling them to focus their real energies on their hobbies, interests or families.
Ultimately, though, I think what makes a good career for each of us is one that enables us to use our skills, abilities and personal qualities. Most of us spend a lot of time at work, which makes it vital that we find a career that makes us feel fulfilled and challenged if we are to be truly happy.
What are the main or common mistakes people make when choosing careers?
One of the most common mistakes I come across are people who choose careers based on what they have heard rather than on any research they have undertaken.
Many young graduates that I coach, for example, say they want to work in the City. Few of these, however, take the time to understand the different roles involved in banking and finance and think it is simply about wining and dining clients and a large expense account!
Also, people sometimes fail to appreciate that their qualifications can be transferred to other sectors and there are many career areas that people can enter, even without degrees or qualifications that seem directly relevant. For example, many people go into banking and finance with an Engineering degree. Law graduates do not have to become barristers; other options of using their qualifications include working as an in-house counsel for a company or becoming a solicitor. Non-legal graduates can, in turn, become lawyers after passing a conversion course.
What’s your advice to those who’ve lost their jobs or are about to lose them?
The first thing I would advise is not to panic. Making a decision based on fear or anxiety almost invariably causes people to accept a job that is not right for them and in which they will not be happy. In my experience, many people who lose their jobs - if they are honest - were often not very happy with what they were doing. I always try to get people to see the situation in a positive light and to see redundancy as an opportunity to get back on track doing what you really love. In practical terms, it’s important to think about what you know; to analyse your skills and experience in terms of how marketable they are or if you need to upgrade them. Invest in getting some professional advice on writing a good CV and improving your interview skills. Put the word out to your network of friends, family and professional contacts about the sort of job you are now looking out for and register with the appropriate agencies and online job sites, not forgetting to research companies that you can apply to directly or through network contacts.
Networking is critical when you are in this situation and on ReConnect Africa we give lots of advice on how to network effectively. We also have a listing of the different professional and national networks that people in the UK can join. It’s also important to remember to use your alumni organisation as these can offer a great opportunity to extend your network. We have a listing of alumni organisations on ReConnect Africa for a number of schools and universities in Africa and the UK. Stay positive and keep working at it – finding a job in a tight job market isn’t easy but, with the right approach and a bit of luck, you will find something even better for the next step in your career.
Is it of any use migrating to the UK/Europe/USA now?
I think, again, it depends on doing your research about the job market and sector that you are targeting. The recent economic crisis has led to many job losses in these countries, which means that if you are new to the country or culture, your chances are generally going to be far lower than those already there, unless you have specialist skills that are in short supply locally. Anyone wishing to migrate – or return to work in Africa – really needs to think about what they have to offer and why a company would hire them over a local national. By assessing your skills and experience honestly and carefully, you will be better placed to market yourself to a potential employer and to address any reservations they have about hiring you.
The poor economic climate has led many Africans to look for job opportunities in their countries of origin or other parts of the African continent. On ReConnect Africa, we provide information about relocating back to Africa and advice on recruitment agencies and firms that recruit for Africa.
If one has a brilliant business idea but no financial support to start, where would you advise the person to go for help?
Before going anywhere for help, I would advise the person to draw up a strong business plan. Many people have brilliant ideas but have not necessarily thought through how these ideas are going to make money. A business plan will demonstrate to anyone who is considering financing your idea that you have researched the value of your idea; that you have a good idea about the potential market, the existing competition, how you intend to price the service or goods, how you plan to distribute and promote your products, what the running costs for the business will be and the level of profit you realistically expect to make and when you will make it.
A business plan also allows you to see if your business idea is a viable idea for a business or whether you should simply keep the idea as a hobby or an interest. If your business cannot sustain you and exceed your financial liabilities, it will not succeed. In the UK, entrepreneurs and new business owners have access to a lot of information through organisations such as Business Link and other government-funded agencies. Financing options can include family, friends, available savings, grants and commercial loans from banks. Most banks also have business advisors who can provide additional information and support.
Are there careers which are still out of bounds for the black community members or with low percentage of community members in the UK? If yes, why and how can we penetrate the system?
In my personal experience, as much of my work is within the financial services sector, our community is still quite poorly represented in banking and finance, especially at the more senior levels. I think, though, that this is often the result of perception about that sector as many people I speak to are reluctant to consider banking or working in the City as an option. This may stem from a number of causes, such as limited careers advice given to people at school or college, a poor understanding of the types of jobs available and the skills and qualifications needed or a lack of research and preparation to succeed in what is a highly competitive sector. I don’t think any career choice is out of bounds if someone is qualified, able and enthusiastic about their choice. Penetrating the system is about taking the time to study and research the career area, identify contacts through friends, family and extended networks and being prepared to put in time and effort to achieve one’s goal.
There is now a wealth of resources available to people to help them with their career progression, but it is up to each individual to put in the work to make it happen.
FRANCES MENSAH WILLIAMS’ CONTACTS
Contact:
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Links: ReConnect Africa (www.reconnectafrica.com) and Interims for Development (www.interimsfd.com)
By Stephen Ogongo