October 6, 2020, just while we were getting used to and understanding the pandemic and lockdown situation that we were in, I got a message from a friend telling me about the opportunity to be mentored by an avid teacher and mentor – Dr Yonette Thomas. Of course, I jumped on it.
At this point in my life, I knew I would be a doctor, eventually. I knew I loved my family and friends. I was sure about my faith. But there was still something missing that made me feel like there’s more, but “what was that more?” I wanted to do more, but I didn’t know what, how, or why. My encounter with the Strategic Transitions Incubator program has helped me answer these three (3) questions and it has helped set a course in my life and career.
At the beginning of the sessions with Dr Yonette, she explained and led us through deep-thinking and self-discovery processes. From there, I knew I was interested in:
- Youth and adolescent health
- Emergency medicine
- Health policing
- Community development
We were asked to make 1-minute video recordings of us describing who we are and what we want to do. After this, I was sure about what I wanted to do, at least what areas I was interested in. I now see my career path in a new light. I have more direction, and this helps me stay focused. Then I was placed in the Incubator subgroup – Youth and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. I worked with my colleagues, and we created a photo essay about adolescent health and wellbeing in our community. We’ve had various sessions, teachings, and trainings on subjects such as research, professionalism, volunteering, and budgeting among others.
I am now aware and conscious of my interests and the direction of my career path. I’ve been encouraged to make efforts in volunteering – putting myself out there. Volunteering with various organizations has helped me to keep building my capacity and to develop myself in certain areas that I did not previously pay attention to. It has exposed me and keeps exposing me to the challenges faced by youth in my community and how they can benefit from our collective efforts as health volunteers.
I have become more confident. I now take definite steps with the mindset that change can start from where I am. For instance, I volunteer as a teacher in the children’s unit of my local church. I now teach some secondary school students in my free time, and I have started a new business venture.
As a result of all the learning and expository sessions in the Incubator program, I now pay so much attention to the challenges in my community, including inadequate healthcare services, ineffective unavailable emergency services, and decline in youth interest in self-development and maximizing their potential. I now know that there is more to be done. This has spurred my interest, and hence, my career path. I have started from where I am to do the little, I can do to make things better.