Sharing my secrets at dawn...

 I rarely speak about my personal life. Most people have no idea how I came to speak two languages from entirely different countries, or why I’ve spent so much time in certain places. Despite our bond, my personal space remains unseen by my closest friends. My approach to people is consistent and inclusive. I tend to guard the specifics of my home life. I’m about to share something I’ve never told anyone. As a child, my mates would talk enthusiastically about becoming doctors, lawyers, engineers, or accountants. Everyone seemed to have a clear sense of direction, except me. I didn’t have a plan, and I never gave it much thought. When asked what I wanted to be, I’d simply shrug and say, “I don’t know,” then retreat into a book. Reading was a safe space, to the point where the world around me seemed fanatical on assurance.

Throughout university, I stumbled through internships that revolved around administrative and personal assistant roles. At the time, I thought they might suit me. They didn’t. I went through the motions, hoping something would eventually click. That “click” came much later, around the time of my National Service window. I reached out to an editorial head at a publication I had read, and he offered me some freelance projects in July of that year. That experience was a turning point. It introduced me to the world of editorial work and creative writing, and for the first time, I felt a genuine sense of purpose. Sometime later, my cousin connected me with a Nigerian startup that needed a copywriter. I dabbled in content development and social media writing and I loved it. Later, I began contributing content for another company as well. Slowly but surely, I realized: I wanted to be a writer. I didn’t know exactly what kind of writer I wanted to be; I knew I wanted to write for a living.

 Until last year, I had never used LinkedIn. I’ll explain the reason someday, but for now, let’s just say I’ve always been inexperienced. I’ve learned along the way that copywriting in Ghana isn’t just about creating calls to action, catchy hooks, headlines, or writing business copy: it’s collaborative and nuanced in interpretation. That’s precisely why I want to work in a Ghanaian agency. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been easy. I didn’t do my National Service with any of them, and I don’t have an established network in the industry. Nonetheless, I’ve reached out to a few professionals — one of whom has been exclusively supportive. I believe in my ability to write persuasively. I know I can be a good copywriter. I just need the opportunity to prove it. One challenge I’m actively working on is my interview performance. Sometimes, I struggle to articulate my thoughts under pressure. I’ve realized that, in trying to impress, I occasionally miss the point of the question altogether. I’ve always been a people pleaser, which means I tend to jump into “damage control” mode quickly, often at the expense of being fully authentic.

Recruiters often focus on my blog, Medium articles, and a few publications. I have a portfolio with content samples, copywriting projects, some graphic designs (not perfect, but honest work), content calendars, and press releases. I grant access to companies I’ve applied to but many don’t seem to explore that part of me. They focus elsewhere. That said, I know where I need to improve and I will. I’m working on upgrading my interview skills, building my confidence, and being more intentional in how I present myself.