 We had stated earlier on we have a conversation on career and this is something you do not want to miss. Welcome to you again. If at all you are just joining us this is why in the morning my name is Ram Agukul. And you are just in time for this conversation of the day. It's all about choosing a career today. And I'm joined by Austin Omanya. He is a youth mentor. Thank you so much sir. And today we have a very interesting conversation with this particular person. He has quite a rapport on youth and career. Engage with us the hashtag is one in the morning at Ram Agukul and at Y244 channel is where you can find us. And share that you also head over to Facebook and Twitter in all our platforms and drop in your comments there. So Austin. Yes sir. Let's get to know who you are first. Yes. What you do technically just in a small nutshell. Who is Austin Omanya? Thank you so much. Thank you for having me in the show. Karibuji. Austin is just a simple boy, a village boy somewhere from Homa Bay County. That's how it all starts. Yeah, that's how it all starts. And Austin is a lecturer. He is also a teacher by profession. Austin is an entrepreneur. Austin is a youth mentor and also a counseling psychologist. So Austin is the old world put together in one arm. All right. You said you teach and you are a lecturer. Yes. Where exactly? I teach in various institutions. Kenya Institute of Management, Oshuel College and then we also are kids. Kenya Institute of Professional Studies. Yes, yes. And this is particularly one individual that based on that particular CV or information you can know how to engage him. How can people find you on social media? Social media are Mentor Austin Omanya. Also our YouTube channel is called Mentor Austin Omanya. Mentor. Austin Omanya across LinkedIn, Instagram, all the same name. Wow. Yes. So if we look at career, you are a teacher. You lecture, you teach, you mentor people. And one interesting bit is that you're also interested in entrepreneurship. Yes. That's one very interesting bit because so many people always focus on getting the white collar jobs. And the question is how do you balance well. But before we get to that, tell us, what should a youth do? As we speak, there are many who have just finished their form form. They are interested in getting into the universities. And there is this confusion. How can I choose a career that is best suited for myself? I don't know which course to take. I don't know which path to go. I don't know which university to go to. And the parent is on that person's neck. And the confusion there lies in between this career and that other career. Which one pays more? Which one pays more? And you are the lecturer there. You are teaching all these students and they are all confused on what a career exactly they are going to select after that course. Where should a youth start from? Exactly. Wow. That is so interesting. Actually, so many youth right now are in KwaGuma. In a situation whereby they don't know what is good. They don't know what to do. I find that is why we started the career talk somewhere last year. And it is a program that is still going for every student that is joining the university or the colleges. Career path is in some mountain if you are not careful, if you are not guided well. And one reason why so many young people are confused is because we are being told to go to school. And then there are those courses, there are those careers we used to embrace long time ago because of their nature, because of their name. Like I wanted to become a pilot, I don't know when I grow up maybe I can become one. I wanted to become a doctor. You wanted to become a doctor? Yeah, yeah. But this is the right place. When you want to choose a career, there are several factors you need to consider. Number one, I didn't know what I was holding. Not unless you realize a potential in a student, you may not guide them. They may not go far in career choices. And who is it exactly that should guide this student? This, in fact, let me just say it is the entire society. Because if you leave this work to their teacher, maybe it could not hug a wall. But parents, I find parents as the center pole in career change. Why do I say parents? I will hear parents saying your mother is a teacher, your brother is a teacher, your aunt is a teacher, so you must become a teacher. Or I want you to become a pilot or I want you to become a lawyer. Why do you say you want that chance to become a lawyer? Or are you looking at the potential of that particular kid? But now, for this particular kid, because before we get to that particular parent, as a youth, what should I do? How do I save all this information in a way that benefits me? Yes, that is good. And you are right. You know what? Information is power. And information is everywhere. Because before you start thinking of... Right now, if you look at our education system, students are supposed to choose their careers. Actually informed. But apparently some schools will not give limelight to their students. Even after Fomfo, a student does not know this is what I want to do. Let me just give you an example. I do mentorship in high schools. And anytime I get into a high school, you will find the career compass. The career compass is there. But actually, from the gate to the reception, you get that in most schools. And you see, this career compass is just there. But there is no one who can implement it to the need of this particular youth. Someone to emphasize on what exactly it entails. Exactly. We have been told you do this to the teachers. Something very funny. If I'm a chemistry teacher, English literature teacher, I'll come to class, teach and go. I want to cover the syllabus. I don't care about the soft skill, the life skill that I should enhance in this particular kid. That is why you will find that during our time, we were really being pushed to perform. Get that marks. But you didn't know. To be number one. Exactly. After getting these marks, then what next? Because I remember I used to perform very poorly. Especially in klasit. We were 21 candidates during that time. And I was actually either number 21 or number 20. So we were put in a certain group. And my cousin was also either I became number one and number 21 or she is number 20. Or we were alternating. It's like you are shifting. Definitely. You become a cousin. Yes. But now, if I look at that particular story that you've just told us, are you saying that for someone who has just done their KCPE, their KCSE, that grade that the father, the mother, the society doesn't like, they consider that grade as a failure. A D. That D minus. Yes. Ease. People failing, even some being at the bottom, actually they are number one from the bottom. Ya, like I was. Like you are. Are you saying that that particular grade does not mean that they have failed in their career? Grade is just a grade. We have A, B, C. Okay, those are letters. But what am I holding? What is my potential? Because if you judge me by what I got, I don't think you are helping me. You are not helping me at all. But I need to tell if a student has a D plus, that's a very good grade. In fact, D plus is good. You can do something with it. That particular student has got a lot of potential. But if Anna is to well and she or he is guided well, I am telling you those are the great people. Why do you think A students are working for C students? Why? Why? Yes, there is something. Because the A student thinks being academic giant is everything. But the C student will try now, what else, what can I do? What is this in the society, the problem that I can solve in the society? And how should a parent be able to relate with this particular student who is performing poor in class? Yes, these people need encouragement. And you only need, you see if I go to school, this particular student are mentoring. He told me that he is good at drawing, but he has lost interest in school work. And the father is mad. The father is pushing, in fact, at one time they went and banned all those, so that he can concentrate. On school. I told the parent, come on, come on. This boy is just on the right path. He only needs some guidance. But you see we live in a society, 21st century. And interestingly, this is talking about career in the 21st century where people want to get quick cash. Yes. People want to, as youths, youths use this word kwa moka. Bazu. Bazu adrako o moka. Una shanda. And you wonder, how can youths concentrate on your talent and still believe that you will uta o moka? Yes. Uta pata pesa sangapi. Because now parents want to have this notion as it is in the society that particular careers earn more money than others. It is true. I'm telling you, before somebody even think of a career to pursue and you look at money as the motivational factor, you get it wrong from the foundation. You get it purely wrong. Because if you look at money, then I'm telling you, you are going to use a lift instead of staircases to go up there. And that is practically what is happening to our young generation right now. Everyone wants to buy a car, go to Vasha, and everyone wants to get a lot of money within a short time. But career is built. For you to be the best footballer today, you must wake up each minute, each day practicing. You must hook up with the right people. You have to look for the right coach. But right now as we speak, very few young people have mentors. I don't know if you have one. I don't want to get the answer. In the real sense, we don't have people who can hold our hands. I do. Good. And that is why you are here. We don't have people who can hold our hands. And I also mentor others. Very good. As I mentor, I also mentor. Very good. I was having this particular conversation yesterday with one particular individual. And she was asking me, how can I select a career for myself? And she was saying that I have so many courses in my mind. So many courses and it's foggy. It's foggy for many. And right now we are in a season where many are joining universities right now. So it's actually a good time that we have in this conversation with you. Exactly. When it is all foggy for youth, how do you demystify this? How do you clear your mind? That is the question that came here to answer. Actually I'm going to give that under what I call the four peas of career choice. Four peas of career journey. Kamu kuna kitabu. Get a pen and a notebook brother or sister. Get a pen and the four peas. Actually they put it as a topic there. Four peas. One. One. Purpose. Powerful. Purpose. If you don't understand your purpose, my friend, there is no career that can sit in this world. But what is my purpose in life? Purpose. Are you able to answer the question why? Why? If you answer the question why, then you have it right. What do you mean by why? Why this or why me? Why what? Why am I interested to do this? Because practically if you want to escalate with powerful notion in your career, you have to understand if I do this, what problem will I be solving? You see, I see so many studios telling me I want to do marketing, I want to do HR, I want to do this and this. Then I ask them, why do you want to do HR? And in which area in specific, do you want really to, you are interested. What is your purpose for choosing this career? Exactly. You have to answer why. Let me tell you. People who don't understand their purpose are probably makers outside here. They are probably makers outside here. Jack of all trades? Jack of all trades. Master of money. You end up, and that is why I don't sometimes initially used to blame the garment because you have papers, you have very good grades, but there is no job. We were taken to a school whereby we thought having a degree is a free ticket to a good job and we were frustrated. You know what I was told when I left high school that we were Peter II KCC. Peter II. Shokun me. Then, my friend, you will be frustrated outside here. What I want you to do, in fact, if you are watching this show, right today, you are main purpose. All right? Once you pin it down and you say, my purpose, my one reason for pursuing this career is one, two, or three, or one, then I'll tell you the next p. If you are satisfied. Once you've written what purpose it is you have, I've written that purpose down. Write it down. Tell us what purpose do you have for that particular career that you've chosen. Write it down. And from that I believe it helps to clear up your mind so you can be able to know actually where you're heading to. Exactly. Second p. Second p. Potensia. Wow. Potensia. Potensia is ability. Ability to get something moving. You know, you are a powerhouse. I am a powerhouse. We are all powerhouses. Anytime a child is born, a child is born holding something, I've never seen a child who is born like a diza. No. A child is born holding something, which means anytime you come into this world, there's that thing that you need to pursue. There's that thing that you need to achieve. Regardless of the background that you've moved into. Regardless of where you come from, it doesn't matter. Even if you're from a poor family. My friend, if you talk about poverty, I think I came from below poverty. Bela poverty. Apok kunaba poverty and below poverty. My friend, there is poverty above and below. I tell you, sometimes life is a wearhash outside here. But today I am here mentoring people. I was telling them I was called in Mangu High School. The other day when I was talking to a student at Mangu. And apparently I told them, you know what, God works miracle. Because I cried to come to this school. After I repeated KCPE to get the best grade that could get me here. You had to redo your KCPE? Yes. See, I told them in my first school I used to be about 21 out of 21. And then the teacher put us in a group, number 21 and number 20. With my cousin, Florence. So we were in the same group. So we were called Grupe Awa Jinga, you see. And that killed me. In fact, my self esteem was really thwarted. So you did it again? No, I went to a different school. And that teacher looks at me and tells me that you know what young man. You have to become number one because you are the only repeater in this school. And then we do an elimination test. The one that was pulling others to back to class 7. And then I became number two. And instead of awarding me, he hits me. Gave me six cans and told me, do you remember what I told you? You have to become number one because you are the only student who is repeating. Sitting again in this class. You became number two and for becoming number two kachapo. Yes. Just imagine that Mr. Mito. That is the only teacher I can celebrate. Mr. Mito. Mr. Mito changed my life. You see, he called me in the staff room and told me that, you know what, I'm not doing this because I hate you. Take this 100 Bob. I wanted to go buy paraffin. And maybe you look for, maybe you also buy soap so that you can wash your uniforms in time and you use the paraffin to do studies. You can do it. I believe in you. So believe in yourself. And I tell you, from that time, I never became number two in that school. These are powerful teachers can be in schools. What? I tell you. Teachers can have an influence on the kind of career. Those are great people. Teachers are great people. They can make a kill. And that means to me to make me believe in myself. And from that time, I think I've never limited myself. Even if challenges, situations are too tough. Even after high school, there I am. No one is taking you to college. I mean, you don't know when, where you're going. So you're trying in Django and things are not working. You know, it's interesting what you're saying here because I'm seeing two voices that you've mentioned. The first voice is the one that you said, Mr. Mito. Yes. He said that you can make it. You can make it. He said you can be number one. Yes. And the second voice is the one that was there previously from the other school where they said we're in a group, yeah? Zero. Wajinga. At the bottom. And they're all teachers. Yes. So it means we will always meet teachers who either encourage you or discourage you. Or towards your ambition. That is it. In fact, why it's not for Mr. Mito. I don't know where I could have been right now. Because even the family where I came from ah, my friend, you are good for nothing. I mean, no one sees anything good in you. So there is number two. There is number two. Number three. So remember, number one, I said you have to understand your purpose. Then number two, potential, you are holding something. You are holding something. And anyone can see that potential in you. And anyone can see that. The way Mr. Mito saw that potential in you. But even if they don't see it, even if they don't see it, because no one will tell you, Austin, you can be an eloquent speaker. I mean, you can be a public speaker. You can be a motivational speaker. No one will tell you that. You know, I love what you're saying. You have the potential and people will see it. But even if they don't see it. My friend, raise your head from the sun. Number three, possibility. The third P now is possibility. You know, I love reading the Bible so much. I'm a preacher of the Gospel. And I don't preach something that I don't believe. If you look at Luke 18.27, it says, Jesus looked unto them and he told them that, you know what you guys, even if you have lost hope, remember, even if it is too difficult for mankind, with God it is possible. You see, that belief, that belief, if you believe that whatever I'm doing, so long as I've asked God to give me wisdom and direction, you know, I'm going to make it. That belief only. Positivity. That positive mindset is everything. That it is possible. Positive mindset is all you need. So that youth who is watching us today in this conversation, concerned about their career path, they believe that it is still possible. Believe that you can still make it. Because the point that you don't, is to believe in the possibilities is where you fail. That is where you fail. Let me just give you a small scenario here. There was a time I was, when I was doing my masters and then a friend of mine, I shared with him that, you know, I don't have money. I can, but I want to pursue this. And then I told him, you know, I have something small to start with, right? But I need to call people to help me fundraise. He told me, my friends, you cannot call people to raise funds to do masters. It is impossible. A friend of mine told me that, but I composed a message and sent to another friend. And then told him, don't worry, add me to the group. Within three weeks, these guys are drapes for me 300,000. Within three weeks. So you see, always that possibility. My friend, whatever you believe in and you testify with your tongue, becomes in the mindset. You know, it's quite interesting because you live in a time when people hear so many voices, even in families. It is true. You can find that your own father, your own mother can tell you, you won't make it in life. I don't think it's possible for you to do it. A relative can say that, ah, we need to know your family yake. It is true. And it can go so deep and demoralize and discourage you because that person that you had so much faith on has told you that you can't make it. It is true. And that is how we've killed so many dreams in this world. That is how we've killed so many dreams because in families, by the way, if you come from a family where you are not supported, there are high chances that you won't make it at the top there. High chances, why? Because a child will believe that I cannot do this. I cannot do this. I wish we had time. I could have given you the story of the cheek and the eagles' egg. One day we'll come and talk about that particular story. Yes, you know, the eagles died not knowing that it would fly. Simply because the eggs were brewed together with their hands' eggs. So they were hatched together. So it just died preking on the ground. Preking on the ground till it died. You see if you're born in a family that is not supported, people who do not appreciate you, people who don't know your value. They say in this family, there is no doctor who has ever come up. So your dream of becoming a doctor is smile and voice. Exactly. Your grandfather didn't make it. Your father in your will. Your mother is, you know, you can't make it. I didn't know you. You can't make it. If you believe and listen to those negative voices, you are not going far. You are not going far. Wow. I want to go to the last one. We need to understand the power of possibility. Exactly. Let's go to the last one. The four P's. This is the last P. Yes, planning. The first P was purpose. Understand your why? Second P, you are born holding something, your potential. You can do, become anything in this world that you want. The third P, I talked about possibilities. But everything is possible under the sun. So long as you have a creative mindset, the last P now is planning. Somebody said that if you want to chop down a tree today and somebody gives you eight hours, then you need to take either seven or six hours sharpening your axe. You know why? If you want that big money, that big career, that big dream, if you want to get there at the top, you have to do something here. Take time to plan. You have to prepare. Before you plant a seed, you have to prepare. Which many people don't do. We are too quick to, you know, want to make it, but we forget the strategy. We need to be strategic in our career. Exactly. You have to plan. By the way, let me tell you, if a student does not have like ten careers, ten careers they want to pursue and they do research on those careers and they minimize them to either four or three and then they minimize them further to one career that they want and they start working towards that. That student may not make it to what he or she wanted to become. What should they do? Number one, underpreparation. You see, I have schools that are doing STEM and STEAM. You know, we could be talking about careers in the 21st century. You know, STEM is whereby they do sciences, they do technology, they do math. They are engineering, right? But right now, there is an A that has been added. STEMMA. Yes, STEM, STEAM. So now it is like STEAM. S-E-E-A-M. But A means art. And you see art is creativity. And you see art, again, is collaborative. Network of a person, networking. You know? There's something you've asked me just before I forget it. What was it? I asked about you have the 10 careers and then you do research on to narrow down. You have narrowed them. So you narrowed them either three. Then from three, start at the top. Number one, this is what I want. What are the requirements of this career? What grade, entry grade do I need? Do I need biology chemistry? Or do I need biology chemistry physics? Do I need geography? Which subject combination do I need? All right? Then after coming to that, now I know these are even the universities. I should be offering this course. These are the universities. And after the college, I can get internship here. I can get these. I can be paid these. You know when you have information, then it is going to be very easy to be motivated. The challenge that I see with the modern youth is they want to be told which career to choose. Yes. I don't know if you've experienced that. You can tell us. I will come to you and ask you, please tell me which career do I go for. That is it. That is somebody who went through school. You passed through school because a school is supposed to match your career. The moment you enter a school like this, that is in Nassar. Nowadays we call it Pp1. Pp1. Yes? The teacher who is there is supposed to see what you are holding. The potential in you. And that is why developed countries are doing well. So it's okay for a youth to come and ask you what career do I go for and expect to get an answer and they go for that? Okay. Yes, because the damage has already been done. The damage has already been done. That is why they will come. Somebody was just, by the way, so many of them, I had before they chose their careers, you know, some few weeks ago. Every time they can hurry was coming. I had a career week. I was training them on career. And so many youth were telling me, I don't even know what to do. I've been called to do this. I don't know this is what. I didn't want this and this. And then I told them that you know what. You can start somewhere, right? But the bigger picture, the first P will still remain. But you have to start somewhere. Yeah. There's a lot of confusion. Why? Because we are not all these things in school. Especially right from primary school, the teacher is supposed to allow CBC and if this country can implement CBC to the latter, I'm telling you, it is one of the best models of education. I want us not to fail to touch on this particular aspect here. Entrepreneurship. Yes. They say that even as you're selecting a career, they say you can't succeed without doing business. Of how many say that? And only if you agree with it, that you can't just expect to be earning a salary every single month and be successful without having an entrepreneurial mind or getting into business. Is that true? That is true. And I think that is true. We talked about the other week I heard youth employability skills, training. You are doing that. And then when you asked that, they have never heard about this, even in high school, they just knew they need to get certificate and go. Get some job. But in the real sense, something must be done beyond and beyond that. Coming back to your question, make it very clear then I tell somebody something there. Your question was? Getting into entrepreneurship. Getting into entrepreneurship. I believe everyone who wants to make it up there should have an entrepreneurial mindset. Self-employment is becoming the only hope in this country. The only hope in the world. Why? Because even if I am a lawyer practicing somewhere, I am employed in a law firm somewhere and I don't have the entrepreneurial mindset I'll die working for other people. But remember any time you are working for somebody, you are just helping them to achieve their vision. What is your vision? What is my vision? Which means by the time you pack your vision in a brief case, you forget about it. Even if you've gotten your dream job, your dream career, do a business, get a business. You have to. Why? Because salary will never solve your problems. And they say salary is slavery. I don't say you leave that job, my friend. Even me I'm still here. My employer don't fire me, alright? Don't resign. But as much as you are working, enjoying working for the salary, but please you have to blend it with entrepreneurial mindset. Any career that you are doing today, be it business management, be it project management, think of how you can start your own initiative and also create employment. And I think that is what the government is really drumming up. We need to create employment. Yes? Because if every term you can have, want to be employed, who is going to create these chances for employment? Who? Me and you. We need to create employment also there. Yes. Because we are looking to get employed instead of thinking on how we can employ others. We are not solving a problem in this site. In fact I think we are increasing the number of problems you have. Exactly. And then you say poverty will come. And it will come. And you will talk about it and it will never go anywhere. Because the number of employees are more than the number of employers. Exactly. Exactly. The government promised so many jobs to young people. And you see I was just smiling somewhere. Ya? My friend anytime you tell people that we are going to employ you. They are not going to think. If you look outside there, there are numerous numerous problems outside there. And I love my professor once told me this. That you know what? You are not here sitting here to learn on papers and get your certificate and go away. You are seated here in this lecture hall to solve a problem. And anytime you see people just find out what problem you can solve from them. I have several contacts and I was telling somebody I cannot fail to pay my rent. I have people. I have a gukwa. I have a brand. I have everyone. Why don't I look for a problem that I can solve for these people? And that is exactly what every young person is supposed to be thinking about. What is that problem? People are crying everywhere. Every day there is this. Every day there is this. Why don't you sit down as a problem solver? And have a solution. Exactly. Times are on our side. I want us to wrap this conversation up in the nutshell. I want you to speak to that Kenyan youth who is watching you about youth and career. What should be their take home for the day? Thank you so much. Just within 30 seconds also. Definitely. My take and what you are supposed to take as a young person. Today where you are don't lament but is the foundation of where you are supposed to start from. Start from somewhere. But as long as you have that big dream up there as long as you believe in what you are doing right now as long as you are putting effort each day and you are writing attention of whatever you want to achieve each day you are on the right track maybe if I can remind you have a mentor somebody who can work with you somebody who can pull, hold your hand and take you to Kanan That is the best place in career out there. Thank you so much. You have to say it. Kanan. Omanya, I understand. Thank you for coming. And I believe you have really inspired so many who have attuned in today the four Ps about entrepreneurship. Don't depend on your salary. Wow, thank you so much. Enjoy that you follow him on social media again. Menta Omanya Menta Austin Omanya YouTube Menta Austin Omanya I have even done the four Ps they are there Personal branding interview there is a lot of stuff on my YouTube channel. The next time you come let's talk about it our other perspective of career and especially what you've mentioned personal branding because everyone is interested in doing something in doing everything to the point that we forget about our brands Exactly You are a brand I must call brand That is Austin Omanya he is a youth mentor Thank you so much for coming my brother It's a pleasure keep doing what you're doing Thank you so much The hashtag as always is one in the morning Keep twisting and keep texting at Ram Magukko and at Y254 channel We are taking a short break after this we will be back with more Keep it one in the morning Wow