By Adiza Ibrahim
The phrase “I can’t find a job” is starting to sound like a broken record. Sometimes, you need to accept an offer not out of desperation, but because you simply have to start somewhere.
Success happens one step at a time.Young professionals frequently reach out to me saying, “Dear Adiza,” or “Dear Kuburah, I want to become a professional marketer just like you.
”It is wonderful that you aspire to build a strong career path. However, I need to share an important truth with you.I did not wake up one day, receive a job offer, and instantly walk into the executive office with the big title I hold today.
This journey has taken me over nine years of intense dedication. I worked so hard that it occasionally took a toll on other important areas of my life.
When my bosses first interviewed me for my current company, they were impressed from the very first minute.
In fact, I received my official appointment offer by the close of business that same day.But here is the twist: despite being incredibly impressed, they still offered me an entry-level role as a Marketing Staff member.Did I like it? No. Was I happy with the salary?
Absolutely not. I knew I was capable of much more. I was coming from a previous role as a Manager, so being placed a level down felt like a step backward.Did I accept the offer anyway?Yes, I did. I accepted it proudly and with full confidence.
I was determined to deliver results for myself, for the company, and for the only brand I was tasked with managing at the time: NASCO Electronics.
When I was shown my workspace back in 2018, it was just a small desk and table in an open-plan office.
Did that humble starting point stop me from showing up and performing? No.
It motivated me to study organizational behavior and to learn from the expertise of colleagues who had been there before me.Year after year, I worked hard and proved my value.
My position steadily advanced:
Marketing Supervisor
Marketing Assistant
Marketing Manager
Marketing and Media Relations Manager
The issue with many young professionals today is a reluctance to serve, learn, or sacrifice. Too many people want their financial desires to precede their passion and determination.
You want the ultimate destination right away. When that does not happen, it is easy to claim that life is unfair or that people are refusing to support you.
On this brand-new Monday at the start of a fresh month, hear me clearly:Take the offer. Do it not because you lack talent, but because you want to challenge both yourself and your employer. Show them exactly what you are capable of achieving.
Treat the entry-level role as a test drive to prove that hiring you was the best decision they ever made.
Am I proud of where I stand professionally today? Very much so. I am equally proud to share the reality of my journey with purpose.
Adiza Ibrahim — KUBURAH DIAMOND
Source: newsthemegh.com