The original version of “a jack of all trades” is often a compliment for a person who is good at fixing and has a very good broad knowledge, and this has been brought to life again as the youth have been advised to pursue knowledge in all fields.
The Acting Director of the National Folklore Board and one of the youngest government agency heads in Ghana as of 2020, Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante has shared that, trends are always changing and encouraged the youth to pursue diversity as “you don’t know when the trends will change again.”
She expressed her excitement over the fact that the generation of young professionals all have a side hustle to their 8 to 5 jobs and encouraged them to broaden their scope.
The young lawyer with a very diverse CV, disclosed how she once went for an interview only for the interviewer to question the diverse nature of her CV which sent her into panic mode, but rather turned out to be a good thing.
On the Yleaderboard Series hosted by Y107.9FM’s Rev Erskine on the Myd Morning Show, Nana Adjoa stated, “The employer asked me if I could sit down and do the desk job for a long time because of the diverse nature of my CV. I thought about it and was a bit skeptical of the job but I got it because of my diversity. I however rejected that job offer.”
Nana Adjoa who’s perception on diversity as a professional heightened after that experience notes, “everyone wants people with and from diverse backgrounds as they are better employees.”
She charged the youth to grab any opportunity and accept internship opportunities even if they are outside their specialization. “I interned in Cologne and in Nigeria where I worked in a cinema.”
Regardless of her numerous achievements, she insists there is still much more for her to achieve. “These diverse experiences will eventually come to bare and you will not even realize you’re using it.”
Currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Gender, Peace and Security at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre, Accra, Nana Adjoa added “in pursing diversity, you need to also keep to your goal and focus on towing your line.”
