Education is the key, but finding your career path isn’t always linear. Growing up, my parents wanted nothing more than for me to go to school, get into university, and land a good job. Coming from a family with little formal education, they couldn’t offer much guidance on career choices, but they always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.

I loved school, and when I finally got into university, my dad was thrilled. Even though he didn’t fully understand the program I was studying or the career prospects it offered, he was proud that I was in university. For my first degree, I studied Landscape Design and Management. For those unfamiliar, it’s a discipline focused on designing sustainable indoor and outdoor spaces, protecting the natural environment, and promoting sustainable cities. Essentially, it’s about creating harmony between humans and nature.

After graduation, I completed my national service with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was there that my passion for the environment grew even stronger. Over the years, I found myself advocating for sustainable development, climate action, and environmental conservation.

Through my advocacy work, I quickly realized that awareness alone isn’t enough. People don’t just change their behaviour because they have the information. Change is hard, especially when it means altering lifestyles and habits that have been passed down for generations. Whether it is promoting waste management, discouraging illegal mining (galamsey), or encouraging sustainable practices, without the right strategies and skills, your efforts often feel like a ball being thrown at a wall.

The question then became, how do I make real change? I needed to learn the skills and strategies for behavioural change. That’s where Development Communication came in, a field that focuses on using strategic communication to influence positive social change. It was the missing link I had been searching for.

Deciding on this path wasn’t immediate. At first, I felt lost and unsure of what to do next. But after conversations with trusted mentors and friends, I began to reflect on my skills and passions. They helped me see that my love for the environment, combined with my desire to influence behaviours, made development communication the perfect fit. Their guidance gave me the confidence to take the leap and pursue a master’s degree in Development Communication.

Now, as a development communication student, I’m learning so much that I never encountered as a science student in senior high school or during my undergraduate studies. Development communication, which falls under the social sciences, is opening my eyes to new ways of thinking. I’m discovering how to craft messages that resonate, use media strategically, and understand the cultural and psychological factors that influence behaviours. It’s fascinating to see how science and social sciences intersect to create meaningful impact.

This journey has also made me reflect on our educational system. Why aren’t we taught these critical communication skills earlier? Why is there such a divide between science and social sciences when they’re so interconnected? These questions keep me thinking, but they also fuel my excitement for what’s ahead.

So far, this transition has been rewarding, challenging, and eye-opening. I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to something I truly care about. To anyone considering a shift in their career or studies, my advice is simple: listen to your passions, seek guidance, and don’t be afraid to take that step. Sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the most fulfilling destinations.

Development communication has given me the tools to turn my passion for the environment into a profession that can drive real change. It’s a reminder that our careers don’t have to follow a straight line sometimes; the detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to be. I’m excited to continue this journey and to use what I’m learning to create a more sustainable and conscious world. After all, change starts with communication, and I’m ready to be part of that conversation and to also start the conversations.