While formal employment for me started in 2001, right after college, I was lucky enough to have had voluntary experience in different capacities at the YMCA and at St. John Ambulance Brigade, in Kenya. I had the chance to interact with people of different calibres and professions, and glean some knowledge of the working environment. So when I was absorbed into employment I was somewhat ready to deal with it.

My first job was at a cybercafé, right opposite the Hilton, where I was part of the customer service team. Being in the hub of the city meant that I got to interact with a lot of different people. Being right opposite the Hilton was a plus, I got a chance to meet foreigners and experience customer service demands for clients who were used to excellent service. That meant we had to up our standards and deliver to the quality that they required. It was a relaxed working environment, although it demanded 13 hours of service every day, except on Sunday. Being young, I didn’t mind and I had fun through my employment.

I earned a meagre 7,000/-, but back then it meant I could afford a pad of my own – a little guest room in South C. That was something back then! I could maintain my personal needs, as well as pay my bills. Quite a big step for me considering I had lived with my family up till then. I also had a little left over to party each weekend, which was good at boosting my social life, and getting me to relax considering the long working hours.

However, I wasn’t too smart with my finances. I hadn’t learned about savings then. I would spend all my money, and live from month to month. I was lucky to have the support of my family in big purchases, but at some point I had to learn to fend for myself.

From here on and moving to other jobs, I learned to save, little by little. At some point in 2010, I had had enough with my then job, and I quit. I quit my job, and I quit the city. I decided to pack my bags and take some rest from the hectic city life. Thankfully, due to some savings, I was able to move up country, and live a quiet life for 7 months, where I was able to refocus on my life and what I wanted.

Even better, when I chose to come back to formal employment, I was able to get my old job back – as Editor of an online magazine, and HR & Administration for the firm as well.

I had never been trained in administration, human resource management or magazine editing.  I do all these by learning from others and trying to improve my skills each day. My fundamental education is in I.T. Management, and it shocks me to see how far I’ve moved from that career path. Looking back, I realized that that was the ‘chosen’ career by my family. However, circumstance, and a bit of luck, moved me into a position that I enjoy, and my work is fulfilling.

I would have loved to have had someone back then who would have taught me that studying is important – I had good grades all through school, without putting too much effort. But I squandered my skills then and lost a chance to get through to university. No one had made a clear impression that university/tertiary training would determine my career choices. Later on though, I am lucky to be able to have changed my paths and made it to a career where I’m happy.

So while you still can, start mapping out your future. It saves you a lot of time and effort than correcting it later on. Remember the old Japanese saying goes, as the twig is bent, so goes the tree. A correction in the character of the person should be done in youth.

Learn how to save and make financially savvy decisions early in life. Savings make a major difference in your lifestyle; you can manage emergency situations, you can make big purchases, you can find some money to get yourself that thing that you’ve wanted so long. Haba na haba hujaza kibaba.

The future is fully in your hands. Good luck!

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