From Medicine To Corporate Communications – The Journey So Far.

Making a Detour To Communications.

 

2nd May 2019. 2:34 PM

Tomorrow marks the start of a new phase for me. I am both as excited as I am nervous, and have my outfits planned out for a month. I don’t know who this person that plans outfits ahead of time is, but I like her, and I’ll try to keep her.

It’s been two years since I completed my medical internship, and this is my first stint in the corporate world – although I’ll be working in a creative role as part of the content marketing team. I have been living the creative entrepreneur / influencer life full time for the past few months, and while I absolutely love the freedom and flexibility that comes with working for myself, I’ve been itching to be a part of something bigger than just me. A part of something new.

I still remember the exact moment I realized that there just might be a place for me in the advertising world. I remember not being exactly sure of what that space would look like or how I’ll pivot to that, but life outside medicine suddenly seemed a bit brighter. A little less bleak.  Like I had options to explore.

Now, here I am. Living out this life that was once just an epiphany. Phew! Although I work in content marketing, and not exactly in core advertising, it is definitely a start. One that I am incredibly thankful for. I am honestly not sure how the 8 -6 life will work for me but I’m looking forward to all the learning experiences that will come with this new phase.

Hopefully, I fit right in.

Related:On Adulting, Rounding Up My Housemanship Year And Future Plans

18th June 2019. 10:36 AM

Today makes it roughly one month and two weeks since I joined the marketing communications world. I remember being both extremely nervous but excited about it and in many ways, I still am.

In my first few weeks, I struggled quite a bit with creating a balance between writing in my personal tone and writing for (and as) work. My work revolves heavily around writing, more writing, copy writing, and then some PR/Marketing strategy.

Anxiety has been my companion for the better part of this time, and I am only just learning how to tell it to take a back seat. Thankfully, my team consists of some of the best people I’ve met so far and I couldn’t be more grateful for this.  They have made this a whole lot easier than I suspect it would have been otherwise. 

11th July 2019. 7:02 PM

Life lately has been a rinse and repeat routine of work and sleep. Something that I imagined would come with the 9 – 5 terrain, or in my case, the 8 – 6 life.

I  had also imagined that I would dislike it: this structure that did not allow me time to be spontaneous with my schedule. Of course, I knew that I would eventually adapt, but one thing I hadn’t envisioned was adapting so quickly, so easily and I dare say, even loving it.

2nd October 2020. 3:48pm. 

Today, I walked into my workplace as an employee for the last time. It is a bittersweet feeling, and I am still sorting through how I feel about this. This past year has been an experience. Sometimes, it hits me that I am living some of the things that used to exist only in my head, and I feel thankful all over again. Thankful for my journey, for all of the roads that have led me to this point, and excited about the infinite possibilities that still exists.

Working with the GTBank Corporate affairs team has been an interesting ride. During the course of my time at the Orange bank, I eventually moved from the content marketing team, to the social media and digital marketing team.

Related: Revisiting The 90s For GTBank Fashion Weekend.

Getting to experience first hand the whirlwind that is the behind the scenes of two of Africa’s finest events – GTBank Fashion weekend, and Food & drink festival is an experience that I won’t trade. I remember attending the event a couple of years back, and telling my friend how I’d love to be a part of the team that puts the event together.

As I type this, I have a bit of FOMO from leaving right at the thick of this year’s fashion weekend. I will miss all of the madness, I will miss dressing up to work, and my daily catwalk shows at the office. I will miss the office, but most importantly I will miss the friends I have made. Some, who have been my lifeline this past year.

Endings truly are never easy, but are necessary for growth sometimes. Click To Tweet

Next week, I move on to another communications role, but this time in the science field. Again, I had another epiphany and decided that Health communications might be my jam. When I closed my eyes, I could foresee a future working in content and comms (more of content lol)  for a reproductive health organization. Although, I didn’t get the exact specifics I had in mind, but it is a step in a new direction.

Tomorrow, I may have a new epiphany. Who knows? Already, I am developing an interest in product design and marketing. There’s a part of me that still wants to work in Advertising – working closely with and building brands. For now though, I will embark on this new journey and give it all that I can. I am anxious about what comes with this role, but I say to life – bring it on. Bring it on.  

Have any tips/words for me? Please share your thoughts, your own experiences, and let’s connect! 

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