One of the most common conversations we have at IWE begins with some version of: "I have a job, but I don't feel like I'm in the right place." Career dissatisfaction is not just about pay or title — it is often about misalignment between who you are and what you do every day. Career clarity is the process of closing that gap.
Step 1: Conduct a Values Audit
Your values are your non-negotiables — the things that must be present in your work for you to feel fulfilled. Common career values include autonomy, impact, creativity, stability, leadership, learning, community, and financial reward. List your top five values, then honestly assess how well your current career honours them. If there is a significant gap, it will point you towards what needs to change.
Step 2: Map Your Transferable Skills
Most people underestimate how many transferable skills they have accumulated. Communication, project management, problem-solving, data analysis, team leadership, client management, and budgeting are skills that apply across dozens of industries and roles. Write down every significant task from your work history and group them into skill clusters. This exercise often reveals career paths you had not considered.
Step 3: Research Roles That Fit Your Intersection
Once you know your values and transferable skills, research specific roles and industries where both are present. Use LinkedIn to find professionals in those roles in Kenya and East Africa. Read their career paths, job descriptions for those positions, and relevant industry reports. Informational interviews — short conversations with people in roles you are interested in — are one of the most underused career clarity tools.
Step 4: Test Before You Leap
Career clarity does not require a dramatic leap. Before making a major change, test your new direction through volunteering, freelancing, side projects, or short courses. At IWE, we encourage our clients to spend at least 3–6 months in "exploration mode" before committing to a full transition. This reduces risk and builds confidence.
Step 5: Work With a Career Coach or Mentor
The fastest route to career clarity is not a personality test online — it is a structured conversation with someone who has helped many people through this process. A good career coach will ask the right questions, challenge your assumptions, and help you create a concrete action plan. At IWE, our career coaching programmes are designed specifically for African professionals navigating career transitions, growth, and realignment.
Clarity is not found by thinking more. It is found by acting more intentionally. Take one small step in the direction that feels right, and the path will become clearer with each move.
— Edel Imbala, IWE
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my career purpose if I have multiple interests?
Having multiple interests is a strength, not a problem. The goal is not to eliminate options but to find the intersection between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for — a concept known as Ikigai. A career coach can help you map these intersections and identify the career path that best integrates your diverse interests.
Is it too late to change careers in Kenya at 35 or 40?
Absolutely not. Many of the most successful professionals IWE has worked with made significant career pivots in their 30s and 40s. Your accumulated experience, emotional maturity, and professional network are valuable assets in any new direction. The key is transferable skills — identifying what carries over from your current career into your desired new path.
Written by
Edel Imbala
Founder & Lead HR Consultant, IWE
Edel Imbala is the founder of Impact With Edel (IWE), a career development, recruitment, and HR consultancy platform serving professionals across Kenya and Africa. With years of experience in HR, talent acquisition, and career coaching, she is passionate about aligning people with purposeful careers.
Share this article