"Choosing a career is so personal." - Jennifer Bangoura

Jennifer Bangoura is the director of Career Innovation at Nexford University and a consultant for the Future of Learning Fund, an early-stage investment fund to invest in new and improved models of learning that prepare Africans for the future of work.

Her Network had a brief chat with her, to learn more about the work she does. Read and be inspired.

How would you describe yourself to our readers?

I'm someone who is curious about the world and loves making connections to build community and foster deeper relationships. As a global higher education and career services professional, I am passionate about creating opportunities for individuals to find fulfilling careers that align with their interests, skills, and education. I love hosting dinner parties, decorating, and celebrating small businesses.

Tell us about your work as the director of Career Innovation for Nexford University .

Nexford University?is an American-accredited and licensed university based in Washington, DC that is 100% online and with learners in over 100 countries. Our mission is to help people around the world realize their academic, professional, and personal goals and to enable learners to succeed in a global workplace regardless of their physical location. As the director of career innovation, I'm working to equip our learners and alumni with the tools and skills they need to pivot and promote in their careers and tap into the global grid of remote work opportunities, in addition to opportunities in our learners' home countries. From hosting webinars to meeting 1:1 with learners in a job search to researching innovative career tools, no day is the same. I'm constantly trying to stay ahead of the curve with what it takes to be a relevant, competitive candidate in an increasingly evolving job market to the benefit of our learners and alumni.

Your passion for supporting emerging leaders and entrepreneurs is evident. What would you say are some key factors to consider when choosing a career?

Thank you! I truly love what I do and feel honored to be able to do it.

Choosing a career is so personal. I once had a job seeker ask me what the best job was and the question stumped me – the answer is different for everyone!

I encourage people to dig into their values when exploring career opportunities and paths (free assessments like?this one?are a great place to start) especially since the skills required of jobs are constantly shifting. Once you understand your values, then think about the skills you have developed from your education, professional or life experience, or volunteering – your skills don't only come from formal employment, and the skills you would like to build. How can you nurture the skills you have and strengthen the ones that are more nascent? Can you take on an extra assignment at work or help out a friend building a start-up? There are so many ways to build skills – you sometimes just need to get creative and think outside the box when deciding on how to develop them.

Next, you have to consider what's important to you (this usually involves reflecting on your values). Do you want a lot of money and are willing to work long hours? Is money important, but not at the expense (pun intended!) of your work-life balance? What companies are hiring around you or are you a candidate for remote opportunities? Do you have the right education or training to do what you want to do?

These are some of the most important factors and questions to consider when it comes to choosing a career. And remember that for our generation, fewer and fewer people will have just one career so we really need to cultivate a learning mindset and spirit of adaptability so we can evolve with the shifting world of work.

Knowing what you know now, what professional advice would you give a younger Jennifer?

Younger Jennifer, keep doing what you did! Seek out unique opportunities that push you outside of your comfort zone. Ask lots of questions and stay curious. Raise your hand for opportunities and create them when they don't exist. Don't get (too) disappointed when things don't work out just the way you wanted them to, something great will happen instead. Take care of your health and exercise your mind and body so you can bring your full self to work and life. Stay in touch with the people that matter and nurture relationships – they're the most important part of your career!

Share five career tips for the young professionals reading this.

• Don't just set goals, visualize your life (use the?Painted Picture exercise?to get started!) to really zoom in on what is important to you.
• Don't just network, build relationships. Try to be a giver as much as you're a taker (watch?Adam Grant's TEDTalk?to find out which you are).
• Be a continuous learner by reading about trends in your industry and following insights from experts in your field. Pursue formal training and learning when the gaps in your skills feel too big or you need a credential to advance.
• Embrace and seek out challenges. This can be hard and uncomfortable but it's ultimately the best way to grow. Unsure where to start? Ask a manager, friend, or colleague for some ideas of how you can take on more challenges that are aligned with your vision for yourself and your career.
• Celebrate! This life is so precious and it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the innovation and changes happening around us. Take the time to savor successes and enjoy your accomplishments – you've worked hard for it!