Career Success Stories

𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐠 4 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐲. No tech degree. No prior compliance experience. No contacts in the privacy industry. 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒄𝒕 6-𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒕 & 1 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒑. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 1: 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 "𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲."  I kept telling myself I needed to understand more technology before I could work in data privacy. I was wrong. I started engaging with the GDPR framework as a legal instrument — reading it the way I would read any statute. The technical fluency came through the work, not before it. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2: 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬.  I sought out people who were actually doing the work — not just teaching it. Following practitioners on LinkedIn, reading their analysis of real cases, and asking questions in professional forums taught me more about how privacy work actually runs than any single certification. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3: 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨.  I started writing privacy notices, DSAR response templates, and DPA clauses for hypothetical scenarios — without a client, without a job, without anyone grading me. When interviews came, I had actual work to show. Not a certificate. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4: 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞.  Privacy professionals who grow fastest are the ones who can communicate risk to non-lawyers. I spent time learning how to translate legal obligations into language that a CFO or CTO would act on. This skill got me in more rooms faster than any credential. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5: 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.  Certification mattered — but not at the beginning. I pursued formal training after I had enough context to ask the right questions in the room. It deepened what I already knew, rather than trying to build knowledge from scratch. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 6: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜.  I started writing about what I was learning. Sharing analysis, asking questions, taking positions on regulatory developments. This created visibility that no application could have created. Opportunities came inbound before I was even actively looking. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒑: ❌ Watching instead of doing. ❌ Spending 6 months "preparing to prepare." ❌ Reading about privacy law instead of reading privacy law. The career is available to you right now — exactly as you are. The only entry requirement is the decision to start. Where are you in your transition journey? Tell me in the comments — I read every single one or DM me! _______________________________________ → World Cyber Security Forum (WCSF)® programmes offer internships with proper practical training — the bridges I had to find manually. Link in comments.

Africa’s biggest creative exit began with one phone call. In 2017, legendary Nigerian music producer Don Jazzy had a successful record label. But he knew something was missing. While Afrobeats was exploding globally, African labels were still operating like it was 2005 - no data analytics, no proper structure, no international distribution deals. Then came an unexpected call from Kupanda Capital, not your regular investor but a business-building platform focused on emerging markets. 🎯 Kupanda told Don Jazzy: "We see Afrobeats going global. Let's rebuild Mavin Records from the ground up to capture that opportunity." What happened next became the blueprint for scaling African creative businesses internationally. The transformation was radical: Kupanda moved two senior executives to Lagos to work alongside Don Jazzy's team (poke Mavin COO Peter Tega Oghenejobo). Together, they didn't just add capital - they rebuilt everything: 🎤 An artist development academy: Training talent for the digital age 📊 Data-driven A&R: Using analytics to predict hits before they happen 🌍 A global distribution network: International contracts from day one 🏢 A proper corporate structure: a 70-person team with defined roles and responsibilities Only THEN did Kupanda bring in TPG to invest $10M+ in Mavin. Then came the proof of concept... 🚀 Rema's "Calm Down" (featuring Selena Gomez) became the first song by an African artist to hit 1 billion Spotify streams. The numbers tell the rest of the story: - 60x growth in overall revenue over 5 years  - 100x growth in digital revenue 🔥 In 2024, Universal Music Group acquired a majority stake in Mavin at a $150-200M valuation, in the largest deal in African Creative Industries history. When I said that Mavin’s success had become the blueprint for scaling creative ventures in Africa, this is why: 1️⃣ Partnership beats pure capital. Creative companies often need a lot more than just cash. Operational expertise + local creative knowledge = magic 2️⃣ Structure unlocks creativity. You can’t grow on shaky foundations. Proper systems amplify business AND artistic potential. 3️⃣ Bet on data not gut feelings. Creative companies are yet to fully adopt digital tools, and that’s stifling their growth. Mavin shows how analytics can enable global success. Few investors are ready to be as hands-on as Kupanda, and few founders can be as collaborative as Don Jazzy and his team. EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW IT WORKS. Think about that. Mavin Records is one of the 12 African companies profiled in my latest study for Proparco's CREA Fund. Read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/diAwWrXe ------ Want more business insights on the African Creative and Sports space? Join the 9,500+ other professionals who subscribe to my monthly newsletter HUSTLE & FLOW: https://lnkd.in/drBY8jnz

Hundreds of Amazonians have reached out recently, asking for advice on what it’s like after Amazon. So I’ve decided to share it here: If you’re thinking of leaving, or already have, this is what you need to know: • The pace will feel slower. Amazon moves at an insane speed. Most companies don’t. Expect delays, longer meetings, and decisions by committee. You’ll either learn patience or lose it. • Keep the data obsession. It’s a superpower. But learn to read the room. You won’t always have clean inputs, real-time dashboards, or a WBR-style rhythm. And you’ll rarely hear “What does the data say?” as often as you did at Amazon. • Storytelling is essential. Most people don’t understand the scale you’ve worked at. Translate it. Saying “I managed a £100m process” means nothing unless you bring it to life. • Expect ambiguity, just a different kind. At Amazon, you often had autonomy with clear goals. Outside, you may find the opposite: unclear goals, but everyone has an opinion. • Titles are… strange. You’ll meet ‘VPs’ doing entry-level tasks, and ‘managers’ with million-pound P&Ls. Don’t get hung up on it. • Speed doesn’t always mean impact. Your instinct will be to move fast and fix things. But others may not want it fixed. Politics and legacy processes often win. • You’ll probably miss the intensity. Not straight away, but eventually. The bar-raising conversations, the ownership, the urgency. It’s hard to find elsewhere. • You were a small part of something huge. That’s not a bad thing. But be ready for the shock of seeing end-to-end operations at much smaller places. You’ll either thrive or feel exposed. • Be mindful of how you show up. “At Amazon, we used to…” gets old quickly. Bring the mindset, not the name. • You can make it outside. But it takes adjustment, and often, humility. Don’t assume everyone wants to work the way you did at Amazon. Some do. Many don’t. And that’s okay. Because the goal isn’t to recreate Amazon. It’s to take the best of what you learned, and build something better with it. If you’re making the jump, back yourself. You’ve done hard things at a world-class level. Now it’s just about finding the right place to apply it. If you’ve left Amazon or are thinking about it, leadership becomes personal. For honest insights on what comes next, subscribe to the newsletter. Link’s in the comments.

The saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know” still holds true for career progression, but for women, building those all-important connections comes with extra hurdles. Research published in the Academy of Management Journal, highlighted by Harvard Business Review, shows that women face greater barriers than men when it comes to forming high-status networks. One striking finding? Women are 40% less likely than men to form strong ties with senior leaders after face-to-face interactions. Traits like assertiveness and confidence—often linked with leadership—are judged through a traditional gendered lens, which means women's and other marginalised genders contributions can be overlooked. So, what’s the solution? Women can leverage third-party introductions, which often carry implicit endorsement and help sidestep these biases. In fact, the research shows women are more likely than men to succeed in building high-status networks through shared contacts. Organisations also need to step up by creating network sponsorship programmes, where leaders don’t just mentor women—they actively advocate for them, opening doors and making introductions that help women advance. It’s time for organisations to rethink how they approach networking. By fostering more inclusive, proactive strategies, we can break down barriers and create a level playing field for women to build the connections that will drive their careers forward. Let’s turn "who you know" into an opportunity for everyone. #Networking #GenderEquity #ThreeBarriers

Over the last few years, I’ve switched jobs, given many interviews, and spent hundreds of hours optimizing my resume and profile. During this journey, I made plenty of mistakes that cost me time and opportunities. So today, I want to share these genuine mistakes—and more importantly, how you can avoid them: Applying Randomly & Everywhere: In the early stages, I thought applying to as many jobs as possible was the key. Big mistake! Quality always beats quantity. Lesson: Tailor each application to the job role. Research the company and make sure your resume aligns with their requirements. Ignoring LinkedIn & Online Presence: Initially, my LinkedIn profile was incomplete and poorly optimized. I underestimated the power of LinkedIn visibility. Lesson: Your online presence matters. A complete, active LinkedIn profile attracts opportunities you’d never find by traditional methods alone. Sending Generic Cold Messages: I used to send cold messages like "Hi, can you refer me?" which rarely received replies. Lesson: Craft a concise, clear message. Always include the specific role, job link/ID, your resume, and a short summary of your skills. Poor Resume Formatting: My resume had too many graphics, complicated formatting, and lacked the right keywords. This reduced my ATS compatibility. Lesson: Keep your resume simple, structured, and ATS-friendly. Use clear headings, bullet points, and keywords from the job description. Not Preparing for the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question: I used to treat this question lightly and gave long, vague answers. The interviewer would lose interest quickly. Lesson: Prepare a structured 1-minute summary focusing on your experience, skills, and how you match the job you're interviewing for. Underestimating the Job Description: I didn't closely analyze the job description and often missed key details required by employers. Lesson: Job descriptions are gold. Analyze them carefully and reflect their highlighted skills and requirements in your application and interviews. Overlooking Company Research: During interviews, I would have limited knowledge about the company's products or mission. This made my answers generic. Lesson: Always research the company’s recent activities, products, and news. It helps you answer questions meaningfully and shows genuine interest. Getting Demotivated by Rejections: Early rejections made me question my capabilities, negatively impacting future interviews. Lesson: Every rejection is a lesson. Ask for feedback, reflect, and improve. Rejection means redirection—not the end of the road. Negotiation Mistakes: I used to accept offers quickly without proper negotiation due to the fear of losing the offer. Lesson: Negotiate politely but confidently. Companies expect this. Always understand your market worth, and clearly communicate your value. Have you made similar mistakes or learned something valuable from your own job search? Share your experiences in the comments—let's help each other grow!

Let’s talk about the real education that happens after you step into the office — and why it’s the stuff that actually shapes your career. I still remember the first time I had to: ▪️Speak up in a meeting (even when my voice shook) ▪️Take responsibility for a mistake (and not blame the “system”) ▪️Juggle multie projects (without losing my mind) Here’s what I learned the hard way — lessons that no degree, no matter how prestigious, can teach you: 🔹 Deadlines wait for no one In college, you get extensions. At work, time is money. Every minute you waste affects not just you, but your team, your client, your brand. 🔹 Your attitude matters as much as your skills No one likes working with a brilliant jerk. Being helpful, curious, and respectful opens more doors than any certification. 🔹 Feedback is a gift — but only if you’re ready to hear it I used to take feedback personally, but then I realized: feedback is your fastest route to growth. 🔹 Learning never stops That “I’m done studying” feeling? It’s a myth. Every job — every task — is a chance to learn something new. This is the stuff that builds your career, one project, one conversation, one challenge at a time. 💡 Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my first day: 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙠, 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡, 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙎𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙪𝙥 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣. What’s one thing you learned at work that no one taught you in college? Let’s compare notes👇 LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn Guide to Creating #FirstJob #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceLessons #EarlyCareer #LearningEveryday #ProfessionalGrowth

Leaving the United Nations: A Leap into the Unknown—3 Years Later Three years ago, on March 2022, I left the UN system. Not really by choice. Not by plan. But because life had other ideas. At that time, I was serving as International Staff for the UN Mission in Colombia, navigating the aftermath of COVID, and facing a family health crisis 10,000 kilometers away. The realization hit me hard: I couldn’t continue my career from a distance. After 20 years of service, I walked away—without a plan, without a safety net, without knowing what was next. And here’s the truth: It was terrifying. It was a shock. But it was also the best move I ever made. If you’re standing at a similar crossroads—wondering whether to leave the UN, international organizations, or any long-term career—or being requested to leave because of the "funding crisis", this is for you. What I Learned About Reinvention: 1️⃣ Your skills are more transferable than you think. Working in the UN gives you problem-solving, negotiation, crisis management, and leadership skills that private sector leaders pay for. Don’t underestimate your value. 2️⃣ Embrace uncertainty as an opportunity. Leaving a structured, mission-driven career feels overwhelming. But uncertainty is where growth happens. It forces you to rethink, reinvent, and rediscover what you truly want. 3️⃣ Network strategically. Your UN network is gold. Reach out. Connect with those who transitioned before you. Build new relationships in industries that interest you. You’re not starting from zero—you’re starting from experience. 4️⃣ Monetize your expertise. Whether it’s consulting, managing or leading social impact initiatives, there are countless ways to leverage your UN background. Find the intersection between your passion and what the world needs. 5️⃣ Identity is not a job title. Walking away from a prestigious role can feel like losing part of yourself. But you are not your position—you are the impact you create, no matter where you work. If you’re thinking about leaving, or you are actually asked to leave, ask yourself: 🔹 Am I staying/ I wish to stay because I love it—or because the unknown feels too risky? 🔹 Does my career still align with the person I am becoming/my professional values? 🔹 If fear wasn’t a factor, what bold step would I take? Leaving the UN was never my plan. But three years later, I can say this: 🤚 The future I didn’t plan turned out better than the future I once feared. To those at a career crossroads: trust your gut. If it’s time to move on, take the leap. You are more capable, adaptable, and resourceful than you realize. If you're looking for guidance on transitioning out of the UN system and building a fulfilling career, let’s connect. You don’t have to do it alone! p.s this is the plane view of the Andes, the day I left Colombia

LinkedIn has brought me career opportunities and friendships I never could have predicted. Yes, I have a large following now. But I started at zero (just like everyone else). Here are 8 LinkedIn tips to help you land your dream job and build a strong network: 1. Post thematically (not randomly) LinkedIn rewards activity. Instead of posting whenever inspiration hits, choose themes your network expects from you: • Industry insights • Insider lessons from books or conferences • Personal projects • Inspiration • Advice or asks 2. Talk about your industry, not yourself Industry insight = authority. The frequently shared LinkedIn content (in no particular order): • How-to posts • Lists • Deep, neutral analysis Teach first. Reputation follows. 3. Be a strategic “liker” Likes are memory cues. When you intentionally like someone’s post, you: • Stay top of mind • Create an instant conversation starter later • Build relationship momentum without DM’ing 4. Your profile is not a résumé It’s a living signal of who you are and what you care about. LinkedIn favors complete profiles, yet nearly half of users leave sections blank. Those extra sections (courses, volunteering, boards) make you more searchable and more human. Incomplete profile = invisible profile. 5. Kill buzzwords (they blur you) Words like strategic, passionate, expert are everywhere. Replace them with language you’d actually say out loud: • “Strategic” → decisive, judicious • “Experienced” → seasoned, practiced • “Leader” → guided, directed Your vocabulary is part of your brand. 6. Be an “adder,” not a commenter Comments aren’t for agreeing, but for adding value. Great comments: • Expand an idea • Share a relevant example • Offer gratitude or context If you want to impress someone, help their post become smarter. 7. Send smart connection requests Never send a blank request. Always answer: • How do I know them? • Why this person? • What’s in it for them? 8. Optimize for your audience Your profile shouldn’t appeal to everyone. Ask: Who do I need to succeed? • Freelancers → clients • Climbers → leaders • Switchers → future industry peers • Speak directly to them. 9. Network after you connect Connections decay without touchpoints. Once a month is enough: • Congratulate promotions • Share relevant info • Make an intro • Invite for coffee when traveling Consistency beats intensity. 10. Use “People Also Viewed” This section tells you: • Who LinkedIn thinks you are • Who you’re being compared to • Who you might be missing If you don’t like the comparison, adjust your language and connections. You don’t need to do all 10. Start with 1-2 and let the momentum compound. What’s one LinkedIn change you’ll make this week?

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

We’ve seen a lot of shifts in the music industry since we got started, particularly when it comes to promotion. Used to be radio was everything, MTV was everything. Billboard ads and print ads made a huge difference, then social media came into play. Now, even a good TikTok video won’t get you much traction… One thing’s the same, however - your music has to be good. Simple as that. It has to be really, really good to launch and maintain your career - and not just good, unique. I say this because I see a lot of artists spending more time now trying to beat the algorithms than perfect their craft. They’re studying YouTube and TikTok, dedicating countless hours towards creating videos that will earn them attention, instead of writing compelling music and lyrics that could do so on its own. They’re all about their “brand,” but it’s their music that needs to stand out most. I started thinking about this after reading one of Bob Lefsetz’s pieces…his main point: “You must be unique and special. People need to see or hear you once and not be able to stop talking about you. If you have to convince someone you're great, you're not.” This goes beyond entertainment. We’ve turned into a society where people feel compelled to constantly promote themselves…even when there’s not much to promote. The thing is, you can master SEO, share everything you do on TikTok, spend your paycheck boosting Instagram posts, but your work must speak for itself to achieve real success. If your product’s inferior, if your artwork isn’t great, doesn’t matter that someone clicked on an ad. Of course, being great at something isn’t the end all, be all, otherwise Berklee grads would rule the music industry. It’s also about connection, brand building and giving context to your work and who you are. Just make sure what you’re offering is exceptional. Spend your time where it matters. I think all the AI demos we are seeing today really speak to this as well!