Growing up, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be: which career path to take. One moment, I dreamed of being a nurse. Then I thought maybe a soldier. At a different time, I imagined myself as a news broadcaster. But life has a way of leading you toward what fits.

One day, after many twists, I realized that I wanted to be a writer. Writing has been a part of me since childhood: in Primary 4, I was already writing short stories just for fun. In SHS (Senior High School), I published my first book, Inside the Secret Temple, a collection of stories.

Since then, this blog has become my platform, my way to share, connect, and grow. Had I known earlier that writing was “it”, perhaps I’d have pursued it more aggressively, and maybe be one of the best-selling authors in the world now.

But this journey taught me something critical: it’s not about getting it “perfect” early — it’s about listening, trying, reflecting, and adjusting.

If you’re reading this, maybe you’re trying to find your career path. Below, I’ll share tools, ideas, and steps— many suited for Ghana — that helped me, and that I believe can help you.

What Is a “Career Path,” And Why It Matters

A career path is the progression of roles, positions, or jobs you’ll take over time. It may involve changing fields, climbing in one area, becoming a specialist, or even starting something of your own. It’s about where you want to go, not just what you do today.

Why does it matter?

• It gives you direction, so you make more intentional choices.
• It helps you avoid drifting into jobs that don’t fit your interests or values.
• Especially in Ghana, aligning your career with growing industries adds more chance of success.
• It lets you plan for education, skills, and experience in a way that makes sense.

How to Assess & Identify the Right Career Path

People often search: “identifying the right career path”, “finding the right career path for me”, “how to assess your career path” to find answers for themselves, but to no avail. Here’s a structured way I used plus what I learned along the way.

What To Consider When Choosing Your Path — Ghana-Specific Factors

Here are what I have found important when making choices.

• Growing industries: Tech/IT, creative arts, media, renewable energy, health. Opportunities exist more in cities like Accra, Kumasi.
• Publishing & writing ecosystem: There are literary magazines (e.g. Ta Adesa), literary festivals like Pa Gya! in Accra, and institutions (Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing) supporting writers.
• Value chain challenges for writers: Publishing in Ghana has obstacles—editing, printing, distribution, and marketing are often work you’ll handle yourself.
• Cost & resources: Some paths need more money/time (school, training, tools). Writing might be cheaper to start, but becoming established needs investment (editing, publishing, marketing).
• Support & networks: Mentors, writers’ groups, workshops help. For example, there are fellowships (writers’ labs), festivals, and associations.
• Flexibility & sustainability: Can you combine your path with income? Side gigs? Remote work? How stable is the field? Can you adapt if things change?

Steps and Resources to Help You Find the Right Career Path

Finding the right career path is a journey — one that involves curiosity, self-discovery, and courage. It’s not always a straight line. Many of us, myself included, have changed our minds several times before finding what truly fits. Here’s how to navigate that journey wisely, especially if you’re in Ghana and trying to figure out your next step.

1. Start with Self-Assessment Tools and Reflection

The first step to identifying the right career path is to know yourself.
Ask: What do I enjoy doing, even when I’m tired? What kind of problems do I love solving?

To guide you:

• Try career assessment quizzes like the RIASEC (Holland Code) or Myers-Briggs Personality Test. They help you understand your strengths, interests, and work style.
• Reflect on your skills and passions — are you good at solving problems, organizing people, helping others, or creating things?

In Ghana, guidance counsellors at universities and online career platforms like Jobberman Ghana or MyJobMag Ghana often share free personality tools to help you start.

2. Research Different Career Fields

Once you understand yourself better, research fields that match your interests.

• If you love numbers and logic, explore data analysis, accounting, or software development.
• If you’re a people person, consider marketing, communication, teaching, or social work.
• If creativity drives you, look into graphic design, fashion, media, or entrepreneurship.

Use LinkedIn, Jobberman, and local job portals to explore industries in Ghana that are hiring. Pay attention to what skills are in demand — digital marketing, tech, healthcare, and education are among the fastest-growing areas.

3. Try Internships, Volunteering, or Small Projects

You can’t always know what suits you until you try it.

• Volunteer with NGOs, churches, or community initiatives.
• Apply for short internships, even unpaid ones, to gain exposure.
• Start side projects — write, design, sell handmade crafts, tutor students, or create digital content.

These small experiences help you test your interests and build confidence. You’ll also discover what energizes you and what drains you — which is key to finding the right career path.

4. Seek Guidance and Mentorship

Don’t walk your career journey alone. Find mentors who can share their experiences and guide your steps.

• Reach out to professionals you admire on LinkedIn or through career events in Ghana like the National Career Fair or Africa Career Network forums.
• Ask about the challenges in their field and what they’d do differently if they were starting today.
• Join networks related to your area of interest — whether it’s the Ghana Writers Association, Tech in Ghana, or Women in Business Ghana.

Learning from others’ experiences can help you avoid mistakes and find clarity faster.

5. Set Clear Goals and Create a Career Plan

Once you have direction, it’s time to turn your dreams into action.

• Define short-term goals (like taking a course or completing an internship).
• Set medium-term goals (like building a portfolio or applying for a specific job).
• Keep long-term goals in mind (like becoming a certified professional, entrepreneur, or leader in your field).

You can use tools like a career vision board or digital planners to map your path. The key is to stay consistent and measure progress over time.

6. Stay Flexible — Growth Takes Time

Finding your career path is not a one-time decision. Life changes — and so will you.
It’s okay to switch paths when new opportunities arise or when your interests evolve. Many successful people started somewhere else entirely — and that’s fine.

What matters is that you keep learning, exploring, and walking in purpose. Whether your passion lies in medicine, media, law, education, or creative arts, there’s room for you to shine when you follow your authentic path.

My Example Career Path (Mine, with Intent and Adjustments)

Here’s briefly what my journey looked like, with decisions, mistakes, and what I’d do differently now (hopefully, this helps you to map out your career path and make the right choice for yourself):

• Kid/Primary 4: Loved writing stories, always doing it for fun. (What did you love doing as a kid?)
• Teen years: Confused by external expectations — thought about nursing, soldiering, broadcasting. All valid, but none felt fully “me.” (Map out your confusions)
• SHS: Published Inside the Secret Temple. That act of putting something out, even before I thought “writer” was my fixed path, made a difference. (What significant thing can you associate with it?)
• Early adult/blog start: I decided writing was more sustainable, something I deeply enjoyed and could refine. I started this blog to write regularly, learn, and share. (What do you enjoy doing now?)
• Looking forward: My goals include improving craft (editing, style), building an audience, exploring publishing options, possibly books, workshops, and collaborating with others. (pursue it)

If I had known earlier that writing was what I always came back to, I might have taken writing courses sooner, joined groups, and built my platform. But I believe starting now or at any point is better than waiting.

The Confusion

Deciding on your career path can feel confusing. I still sometimes wonder, “What if I started writing earlier?” But then I remember: every small story I wrote, every blog post, every reflection helped shape my path.

If you haven’t yet, try to do one thing today toward what you might like — write a paragraph, read a book, talk to someone doing a job you think about. See how it feels. It won’t lock you in; it’ll help you discover.

You deserve a path that fits you—your passions, your skills, your circumstances. And you’re more capable of finding it than you think.

Have you discovered your career path yet? Or are you still exploring? Share your story in the comments — someone might just find hope in your journey.

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