A larger portion of the world’s population would agree or relate with talks concerning a reroute in career path. Many of us are working with something entirely different from what we set our minds to from the onset – some might say they don’t differ so much, but a shovel and a spade still aren’t the same.

In that light, I am bringing to you stories in the form of interviews from young and brilliant minds who have made a name for themselves in another career path than what they set out with.

Today, our first career-person is a young man who studied Political Science from the prestigious University Of Lagos, and realized on graduating that maybe the route to his Lifelong goals isn’t directly through Political Science?

Let’s meet Joel Moses Babatunde.

Q: Hello, Sir. May we meet you?

A: My name is Joel Moses Babatunde. I like to be called by my full name or just say JMB to save you the stress. But for clarity, my first name is Moses.

Q: Okay, JMB. Do you have political aspirations? Your name and how you’ll like to be called sounds like someone willing to hold office.

JMB: My blueprint has always been Impact, Business and Politics. I wish to lead someday, but we will follow the thread of that blueprint. So, yes, I have a political aspiration but not now.

Q: Give us a little background on yourself. Where are you from? Where were you born and where did you grow up?

JMB: First and foremost, I believe I am one of the very few people that do not like to be limited by ethnic affiliations. So, I always introduce myself first, as a Nigerian; because of the very interesting background I have. My father is a Yoruba man from Kwara State while my mother is an Igbo woman from Enugu State. I was born and bred in Kaduna where I lived for over 20 years. School (Tertiary education) brought me to Lagos. So, I am WaZoBian.

Q: Original. So, 20 years in Kaduna. I’m assuming you gained admission into Tertiary Institution when you were 20?

JMB: Yes. But I started school at age 21. University of Lagos.

Q: I’ll think, many others will too, that at age 21, you should have been done with school already. I’m assuming there’s a story to that. So I’ll ask, what was it you wanted to study and why did you start school at that age?

JMB: I had to write UTME three times. I graduated secondary school at the age of 17 but took a year to fully prepare myself for my first UTME. The first and second UTME’s yielded nothing positive, but I gained admission on the third one. In all the years I took UTME, I always picked Political Science as my course of choice.

Q: I can relate. So it has always been Political Science from inception?

JMB: Yes, I was always picking Political Science, because that was my choice. But if I had known earlier that there was a course like Human Resource Management (HRM), I would have opted for that instead. However, I don’t regret studying Political Science.

Q: You don’t regret studying political science, but you would have opted for Human Resource Management (HRM) if you knew.
What changed? When did you realize you could have thrived better at Human Resource Management?

JMB: With the way things are in Nigeria, professionals in the field of politics most times do not make leadership positions. At best, you find them as advisers or technocrats. I studied political science so I could address the arm or approach of leadership I would like to come from. But getting to that through political science will take time, resources and sweat. You also need a strong economical background to make a name for yourself in politics. Seeing I didn’t have the resources for that yet, coupled with my essential needs I had to cater, I opted for HRM as it was more lucrative and could still help me achieve my goals. I don’t regret studying Political science, but HRM is my stronger forte and I’ve decided to follow it with all my heart.

Q: When did you realize Political Science might not cater to your essential needs in the short run?

JMB: Immediately I graduated in 2017. I don’t think any of my classmates are doing any core political science job. It’s a beautiful course to study but it’s not lucrative. Most people from political science are working as sales/marketing executives, HRMs and many other things that are not core Political Science.

Q: Sad. What was your first job after graduating?

JMB: I started working from school. Worked with a Political party (Youth Party). Served as Engagement Strategist and also Executive Assistant to the boss of the party who doubled as CEO of Probitas and Partners. My first job after leaving school was with AXA Mansard Insurance PLC. As a Sales Executive.

Q:How much were you earning as a sales Executive? If you don’t want to be specific, give us a range.

JMB: There’s nothing to hide. I was earning ₦35,000.

Q: Oh wow!

JMB: so sad!

Q: Lift my hopes, how has that pay changed from then to now?

JMB: I left AXA Mansard while I was still serving. Went to another company where I was earning 140,000 naira. I don’t want to tell you how much I’m earning now so let’s leave it at that. I’ve lifted your hopes certainly.

Q:What do you do now? Job and side hustles?

JMB: I am just doing my bits. I work with MOD Group (Westerfield College, an International Education Firm. I also have an HR Consulting firm I own, it’s called Dear HR Consulting. I am passionate about Farming so I do one or two mini Agro projects here and there. I consult for UNOCASA Limited for Learning and Development/Recruitment & Business Development. It’s an HR Consulting Firm. Alongside other side hustles.

Q: Sinzu or Spending?

JMB: I am just JMB. Let my helpers not pass me by.

Q: What impact do you want to have on the world? What do you want people to remember you for?

JMB: Well, this can never be summarized. But I’ll say, concerning impact, when people come to me and ask me how do I define my purpose in life, I always ask them two questions. The first is if the whole world paused for thirty seconds, what is that one thing you want the world to hear? The second is, what exactly can you do or speak about without preparation? For me, it’s my passion to teach people – alternate education. I’m a life coach before I’m a Businessman and Politician (Leader). And that’s how I want to impact the world, teach the world through Human Resources. As far as being remembered is concerned, I want to be remembered for making or creating the pathway for Nigeria to get better. I want to be that African Leader that redirected the steps of his continent. I want to put Africa (Nigeria) on the map of the world and cause people to respect her. I won’t be happy if I die without doing anything to move Nigeria from where it is to another point. And it’s not about politics, it’s about Human Resource/Education, You can see how everything is connected for me.

Q: You don’t see yourself “janding” permanently?

JMB: Never! Nigeria is my home. I was created to make Nigeria a better place for my unborn generation and that is what I will do. Albeit, I like to travel the world, I like to live in other places for a while, garner experience of their culture, but I can never leave Nigeria permanently.

Q: Well, you’ll be the first in a while to tell me that. What’s your advice to younger people in the aspect of Career?

JMB: Do what makes you happy. Pick a Career that is in tandem with your strength, that’s the only way you’ll not see work as work. Lots of people think of their jobs in the morning and they sigh, they feel sad going to their places of work. That’s because it’s a thorn in their flesh, so, do what makes you happy. It’s also never too late when you’re done with your BSc. Your Masters or Professional courses are more or less like a second chance to you when you’re building a career. I have a Masters in view for Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) and also in view are Professional courses in Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). These are practical ways I’m retracing my steps. So, chase a Masters in your passion and not what you studied in your BSc. unless that’s your passion too. The journey to success is like a car on the road, the car in front of you is not necessarily the first car or the car that will surely get to its destination. All you should focus on is your own destination, make sure you get there. And head in the right direction, because what is the essence of speed on the wrong route? If you’re supposed to be going North and you’re going south at top speed, what’s its essence? Go slowly in the right direction, the direction that makes you happy, and you’ll surely get there.

Q: That’s a piece of advice worth holding on to. For people that want to reach you on social platforms, please let them know your social handles.

JMB:
LinkedIn – Moses Joel
twitter: @MeetJMB
IG: joelmozeez
FB: Joel Moses Babatunde


Source: https://andmeans.com/career/career-crossover-joel-moses-babatunde/