Life. Seasoned with perspective.
“The career world has shifted, and the rules have changed. Doctors and lawyers may still impress on paper, but it is the creatives, problem-solvers, and skilled professionals who are shaping the future. Guiding our children means opening doors, not boxing them into yesterday’s definitions of success.”
Let us talk about careers today.
For context, let us begin with an industry I know well: the media. This might sting a little, but legacy media is on its deathbed. The big players got too comfortable, too self-absorbed, and ignored the winds of change. When digital migration rolled in, they thought they could bully their way out of it—threats, chest-thumping, endless lobbying. None of it worked.
The storm came anyway. Distribution was centralised. Smaller players entered the scene with a bang. Revenues dried up. Redundancies became routine. Shutdowns followed. The truth is, everyone is still winging it. The endgame is here for all to see.
So, what does this have to do with careers? Everything.
About a month ago, I attended a careers day at my daughter’s school. As always, it was a grand showcase. Presentations glorified doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants. The big four of “respectable” jobs. Having seen what has been happening in my industry, I cringed. For a moment, it felt like a wasted day.
But then I noticed a spark of hope. Some presenters urged parents to be open to sports, music, photography, and other creative paths. My antenna went up. Because that was my story.
I grew up in the village with very little exposure. For years, there was no TV at home. My mother later taught in an urban area in Western Kenya, where only two households in the estate owned TVs. Every evening, a bunch of us children squeezed into a neighbour’s sitting room to watch Omo Pick a Box, Derrick, or WWF Wrestling. Eventually, my mother bought a black-and-white Sony TV on hire purchase. I could finally watch without limits. That little box planted a seed: my love for television.
Fast forward to my final year in primary school. A week before KCPE, the top ten pupils were called to the staffroom. After some banter, teachers asked what we wanted to be. A doctor here, a lawyer there. When my turn came, I said broadcaster. Silence. Faces dropped. It was as if I had said I wanted to hawk groundnuts at the bus stop.
Even my father struggled when I chose media studies. But years later, when the cheques started coming in, he understood.
Here is the reality. The world has changed. A DJ today can earn more than a doctor. A voice artist can charge hundreds of thousands for a single script. A young photographer can support his entire family. I have seen it firsthand.
Just last week, I heard of a young man who ran away from home for two years after being forced into a career he hated. When his parents eventually found him through spy agencies, he agreed to return only on condition that he be allowed to pursue his passion. Today he is a thriving photographer, travelling the world. He has even built his parents a house—through his craft.
So let me bring it home. Careers are no longer about what looks respectable on paper. They are about passion, skill, and adaptability. Our role as parents is not to choose for our children, but to guide them. To prepare them for a world where traditional careers are collapsing and new ones are being born every day.
The truth is, education has not caught up. Many children are still being lectured with stale stories that add no value to their future. Meanwhile, we are obsessed with turning every college into a university. Degrees are great. But skills are what keep you relevant.
Think about it. Why is it so hard to find a plumber in Nairobi when you need one? That is the real question.
The careers of tomorrow are not about titles or degrees. They are about solving problems, being creative, and staying resilient. Legacy jobs are fading, but new opportunities are everywhere. The best thing we can do, whether as parents, teachers, or young professionals, is to stay curious, stay skilled, and stay ready. Because the future is not waiting for anyone.
About the Author
Kibisu Mulanda is a media executive and strategic communicator with over 20 years of experience in television, NGO storytelling, and youth-focused content. He is the Acting Head of Switch Media Ltd and teaches media at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). A Certified SIYB Trainer, he blends storytelling with strategy to drive social impact.
About the Author
