STEM Elevate continued its 2026 workshop series with a highly engaging session on Employability and Global Careers, facilitated by Joel Kojo Abaka Anaman, a Product Manager, Career Coach, and Speaker. The session focused on equipping fellows with practical strategies to position themselves for global opportunities while navigating the realities of modern career paths.
1. Opening Activity: “This or That”
The workshop began with an interactive activity dubbed “This or That,” designed to spark critical thinking and peer learning. Facilitated by Prof. Mante, fellows were divided into breakout groups to discuss thought-provoking career dilemmas such as:
- Living in a dream city with a low salary vs. earning a high income in a less desirable location
- Choosing between a steady, consistent paycheck vs. big pay out later
- Stay in the country and help fix it vs. going abroad and send money home
- Safe job in a sinking career vs risky job in a new career
- Being the only smart person in a room vs surrounded by people smarter than you
- Building on your own idea from scratch vs building on someone else’s existing idea
The activity encouraged participants to reflect on personal values, priorities, and long-term career trade-offs. The diversity of perspectives shared made for a lively and insightful discussion, setting the stage for the main session.
2. Career Journey and Lessons Learned
Joel began by sharing his personal journey from pharmacy school to his current role, highlighting the non-linear nature of career growth. He spoke candidly about setbacks, including losing a student election, and how such experiences shaped his resilience, mindset, and long-term outlook.
A key takeaway from his story was the importance of embracing uncertainty and learning from every experience. He emphasized that career paths are rarely straightforward and reminded fellows that:
“You are the author of your own life, but also a product of your environment.”
3. The Power of Volunteering and Skill Building
Joel underscored the value of volunteering as a strategic tool for growth rather than just a service activity. He explained that volunteering provides opportunities to:
- Build transferable skills
- Gain practical experience beyond the classroom
- Expand professional networks
- Discover new interests and career directions
Fellows were encouraged to be intentional about the roles they take on and to view every experience as an opportunity to develop competencies that will be valuable in the future.
4. Curiosity as a Career Advantage
One of the most impactful themes of the session was the emphasis on curiosity as a driver of growth and opportunity. Joel described curiosity as the desire to explore, ask questions, and understand how things work, noting that it exposes individuals to new layers of knowledge and possibilities.
He introduced the CIA framework:
Curiosity – Actively seeking to learn and explore
Insight Gathering – Collecting and interpreting relevant information
Agency – Taking intentional action based on insights
This framework, he explained, positions individuals to access what he termed MSC—Mentors, Sponsors, and Coaches, all of which are critical for career advancement and long-term success.
5. Networking, Opportunity, and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
The session also highlighted the importance of networking and visibility in unlocking opportunities. Fellows were encouraged to:
- Build genuine relationships
- Stay open to unexpected opportunities
- Take initiative rather than waiting for perfect conditions
Joel addressed imposter syndrome as a common barrier that prevents many individuals from stepping into opportunities. He shared practical ways to overcome it, including reframing self-doubt, focusing on growth rather than perfection, and recognizing one’s value and progress.
6. Outcomes and Feedback
The workshop was highly interactive, relatable, and insightful. Fellows engaged actively throughout the session and reported gaining:
- Greater clarity on navigating global career opportunities
- Increased confidence in positioning themselves professionally
- Practical tools for personal and career development
Feedback from participants reflected the depth of impact, particularly the relatability of Joel’s journey and the actionable nature of the insights shared.
7. Conclusion
This workshop further reinforced STEM Elevate’s commitment to preparing fellows not only for local opportunities but also for success on a global stage. By combining real-life experiences with practical frameworks, the session provided fellows with the mindset and tools needed to navigate evolving career landscapes with confidence, curiosity, and intentionality.
As the program progresses, fellows are encouraged to apply these insights proactively, positioning themselves to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and opportunity-rich world.