One of the top Twitter trends in Nigeria during the Sallah break was the news of one of the most controversial career transitions in Nigeria; Nollywood sweetheart, Funke Akindele announced as running mate for the PDP candidate in the next Lagos state gubernatorial elections. Well, the announcement and the social media furor that followed. And in the manner of public opinions, there are opposing views.
So, there’s the team go girl!: commending Akindele’s emergence into politics and showing their optimism at her leadership abilities. Then, there’s the team nay!: questioning her move and asking if political leadership in the country is now a “child’s play”.
What’s the much ado about it?
The sentiments are obvious on both sides. There’s been a clamor for youthful -and female- inclusion in governance. This time, it comes in a contrast between that happening versus what the possibility of an entertainer doing well in politics. Funke Akindele has built a formidable career as an actor and filmmaker, and over the years earned a wide fan base at home and abroad. So, what the people are asking is: does a successful acting career guarantee altruism and competency in governance? and on the other hand: can we just look beyond the Nollywood backdrop and bank on a history of consistent success?
Career transitions
Career transitions are not new, and the process could be rather daunting if there are no discreet strategies, especially in this period where tech is the trend and a lot of young people are migrating. You need a smart guide and workable strategy on how to transit. And before you move, there are questions you may want to ask:
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Why am I making this transition?
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What industry am I transiting into?
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Do I already have what it takes to thrive in the new space?
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Is it necessary to get certifications or degrees for the new path?
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Can I bank on my previous achievements for a top-notch performance?
To make a seamless career transition, here are a few tips and lessons from Funke Akindele’s story:
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Build antecedents, especially when you are assuming a strategic role where your performance might be at the mercy of public scrutiny. Before you make that transition, identify which of your existing skills and strengths are transferable and magnify them. Even if they are soft skills such as team building, decision-making, multitasking, talent optimization and more, that way, you have a track record that fuels your credibility for the new role.
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Identify new skills and learn them. One of the best ways to sell yourself to your potential new employee is to show that they won’t have to go through so much to get you integrated. Do your homework; learn, practice with freelance or voluntary tasks, and if you can, posit yourself as an authority in that field.
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Identify the changes that you would have to make outside work. Career transition could change certain areas of your daily living, and you don’t want to be caught unawares. Would you have to start working remotely or start going to work? Would you have to lay low on some hobbies and activities and pick up new ones? Would you even have to relocate?
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Build your network: you are entering into a new environment, and you need a new community. You do not have to abandon old relationships, but you should find a way to create that smooth bridge between your existing circle and the new one. When it comes to your career, your new circle matters a lot and you do not want to surprise your previous community unscrupulously. That way, when you start your new career, you do not come off as indecisive or as someone to make out-of-the-blues decisions, rather you posit yourself as one who is adequately prepared for the tasks ahead.
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Prepare for challenges in the new phase: no matter how prepared you are, the transition may not be all easy. Remember when you were at the graduate level and just starting your very first job? It could feel that way. After all, it’s a somewhat fresh start. You could get discouraged, not just by demands from work, but also when colleagues, fans, followers, and even friends doubt you. But it’s a challenge, and one of the goals to set for yourself is to excel and grow while you are at it.
Funke Akindele is not the first actor to explore the political space. Very recently was singer and actor, Bankole Wellington (Banky W), and long before him, Desmond Elliot, who trended, at a time, for quite the wrong reasons. Perhaps, this is also one of the reasons why there’s been a great deal of indifference to Akindele’s new move.
So, what team are you in? And what do you think about career transitions? Do you think a successful acting career guarantee altruism and competency in governance? can we just look beyond the Nollywood backdrop and bank on a history of consistent success?
Also read Mid-career transition into tech: a step-by-step guide.