By Buertey Francis BORYOR
A human resource book for career development and everyday living, titled 100 Career Nuggets- Keeping it Punchy, has been launched in Accra.
This riveting read is the outcome of the of the author’s – Dr. Irene Stella Agyenim-Boateng – career path trajectory spanning close to 4 decades of experience in the human resource and executive space, both locally and with multinational organisations as well as in various fields including education, telecommunications, insurance, energy and many others.
These experiences have equipped her with extensive knowledge, understanding and appreciation of organisational dynamics and how individuals can position themselves for fulfilling careers
Beginning with fundamentals of communication, the author walks her reader through essential skills for a prudent career path to an end that can be described as successful – where one can look back and evaluate his/her performance with contentment and satisfaction.
Mrs. Agyenim-Boateng, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the Public Services Commission (PSC), acknowledging the foundation from which the book sprang recalls what she refers to as a bag of mixed emotions and lasting memories – each of which has shaped her thoughts, values, principles, ideals and personality.
While addressing media after the event, she noted that the book will position and reposition employees at all levels to take advantage of present and future opportunities, while equipping young graduates with knowledge about how to strategically position themselves at the workplace.
“The motivation behind this book has been quite multifaceted. Personally, I have always had the desire to write books on career. The reason being that I have been an HR practitioner, an executive leader and risen by God’s grace to the top of my career. I love youth development and also love giving career advice, as well as getting into issues of gender and the disadvantaged,” she added.
Ms. Margaret Ivy Gyan, Professor of Communication at the University of Ghana (UG) and keynote speaker at the event, while reviewing the book said it is of timeless value with stellar quality. She added that it’s simplicity makes it readable and accessible to all irrespective of educational level.
“100 Career Nuggets is indeed a great book written by an outstanding woman for our career development and also for our everyday living. She has distilled all her experiences into the book – making it a very useful one. This collection of nuggets is useful to all stages of the career ladder; whether you are a beginner, if you are at the intermediate stage or you are at the upper or senior levels, it is useful to you.
“It will not only support career development and advancement from the perspective of an individual within the organisational setting, although that appears to be its principal objective – it is also useful and relevant to our personal and interpersonal relationships. Young graduates and undergraduates will find the book useful as it prepares them to understand career development and prevent certain misconceptions that hinder progress,” she also said.
Moreover, Chairman-Public Services Commission, Professor Victor Kwame Agyeman, in a foreword to the book described it as practical, fascinating and useful regarding corporate governance, with permanent real-world examples and experiences. He added that reading and applying nuggets provided in the book will increase one’s passion and determination for positive career outcomes.
“The book, among other things, highlights the importance of logical reasoning and critical thinking through essential skills which seem to be progressively eluding us today.”
