Year of pivoting: Our 2025 career turning points

Like James Muiru, popularly known as MC Jimmie Kajim. When James quit his job this year, it was not on a whim. He had been strategising since last year because he wanted a seamless shift.

He had tried out many side hustles before, but he says the events industry came naturally to him, leading to the birth of Kajim Events. "I was emceeing as a side hustle while still employed as a radio presenter and it never clicked that this could be a business," he recalls.

Client push

The turning point came when client bookings started overlapping with his work schedule. The idea of quitting crossed his mind, but he held off until he had a clear plan, guided by a wealth consultant.

"He (the wealth consultant) saw that my business idea was viable and gave me a breakdown of what I needed to do to actualise the dream," he says.

Beyond the scheduling clashes, James says he also felt he had reached the ceiling of his growth in the company and was ready to build something of his own.

Looking back, he says one of the greatest skills he gained from his former job is structure. After nine years in radio, he adds, time management, communication, audience engagement, and working under pressure now come naturally to him.

So, what skills has you had to grow on the job?

"Number one is financial discipline. It makes you know that even Sh1,000 is very important. Number two is that I've been able grow my social capital and convert it into business. Lastly, as an entrepreneur, I have known the power of networking. Nowadays, I don't go to events and go, after I am done with the business, I let people know who I am and what I do. Sometimes, my team gives out my business card while the event is going on."

For this new path to succeed, James says he has had to sacrifice his time. "In this space, we don't work with the normal time structure of 8:00am to 5:00pm and as the team leader, I have to be there to support them in what they need," he adds.

Still, the scariest part of the decision was money. His previous job, he says, offered a fixed salary, and he was moving to variable income. And it was not just his own bills on the line.

With 15 employees depending on him, he had to figure out how to keep the lights on, meet payroll, market and do client follow-ups, and still ensure he had something to bring home.

Read: Why more Kenyans are shifting to owning business

Any challenges so far? "Oh yes. There are a lot of gatekeepers who despise you and guard the spaces. Secondly, how to convince old thriving businesses on how to move them into the digital space."

For people who feel stuck and keep wondering whether it is time to make the move, James advises, "Move when you are ready. Seek information about your next move and don't bang the door as you leave."

My first year as president

In his first year as President of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya, Mutinda Mutuku says what surprised him most was the level of underemployment and unemployment within the profession.

"A lot of the members are people who are running private small, medium enterprises (SMEs) and the amount of work is less. So, you find when one project comes along, people fight for it, compete, undercut on fees to the extent they end up earning much less than they ought to have," he shares.

The irony, Mutinda adds, is that quantity surveying is a regulated profession. Yet the number of licensed quantity surveyors is still low, about 3,000, and in his view that should not translate into widespread underemployment and unemployment.

It is for this reason, Mutinda mentions that when he stepped into office, he chose advocacy and awareness for the profession and the need for better regulation.

So, which leadership style did he adapt? "Consultative with members across all ages through engagement forums."
The work, however, has come with hard realities. Mutinda says his biggest challenge this year has been seeing members struggle to service their subscriptions, which he links directly to the underemployment and unemployment in the sector.

And while he carries the weight of the office, he says the role comes with no pay, meaning service has had to take first priority alongside the responsibilities he already has.

"I have my own practice which needs me, my family also require my availability but sometimes I am not."

If he could return to his first day, Mutinda says he would give anyone stepping into service a blunt warning. "Assume this is the only thing you have to do and manage your other responsibilities. Secondly, understand what you'll be up against."

From TV host to emcee

Growing up, when Tusker Project Fame took the airwaves Agnes Nonsizi, would look up to the hosts seeing as something she would want to do in future.

Fast forward in 2014, she gets an opportunity to be the Mc in the creative space. "I quickly realised there is more than just talking. There is audience control, maintaining flow, and engaging your listeners," she says.

Three years later, Agnes, a public relations and communications specialist, become a vernacular television host. In 2025, having served both evening and morning shows, done several gigs that gave her brand visibility, Agnes felt she had served her time and was ready to move.

"I love growth, so I started asking myself, have I created a brand out of my job? Yes. Is there anything else I can do apart from just appearing on air? Yes, and my low hanging fruit for my brand was emceeing."

Before tendering her resignation, Agnes reached out to a friend who was doing corporate emceeing and shared her profile for onward sharing with organisations seeking a female emcee.

"People thought I resigned and the gigs were waiting. No, I resigned and sat in my house before they came in. It is important to also note that I had a career coach who helped me align my goals with the future I wanted to step in, " she recalls.

Looking back, Agnes shares through her former job, she has been able to diversify and can handle different pools of people, public speak, handling crisis and ensuring her brand is visible and clear on socials.

To anyone who wants to pivot their career, Agnes advises, "It is a very personal decision so sit down with yourself and think through it thoroughly."

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