CHOOSING A CAREER : TALENT:VERSUS SKILL by TOYIN ADEGBOLA

TALENT VERSUS SKILL by TOYIN ADEGBOLA

The term Talent refers to an inborn and special ability of a person to do something. Skill however is an expertise which is acquired by a person through learning. Talent is God gifted ability while skill is an ability you put your time and efforts to develop.

Every one of us possesses certain talents and skills that make us different from others.

Skill is a learnt ability which can be developed if someone puts time and effort into it.

Talent is an inherent ability of a person to do something. It Is in you. It comes to you naturally. You find it easy to do.

In life, especially in modern day world, it is that innate and inborn ability that places a man ahead of others. It is important to discover that thing that naturally appeals to you and which you tend to easily do. It is a God given gift.

The skill you acquire through Education may not be what you end up practicing and excelling in in life. You may find out an activity you are good in without actually learning or going to school to acquire it.

Not many people will imagine I went to school and became an Electrical Engineer. Today I am not known as an engineer but as a Theater Arts Practitioner and an Actress. Electrical Engineering is the skill I acquired but Acting is the Talent that is inborn in me. I chose the acting career and the career I chose has taken me where Electrical Engineering may not have.

Do not get me wrong. It is not wrong to acquire qualitative education. It will basically prepare you for the challenges of life and guide your thinking and communication abilities.

King Sunny Ade, one the greatest living legends in the Yoruba genre of music was trained in theater arts. He however did not find fulfilment in the theater arts where I have excelled but in Juju music.

Kunle Afolayan, the famous actor worked as a banker but dumped the job to concentrate on his first love which is film making. He probably would have been unknown as a banker.

Dr. Sid, a renowned Nigerian born Artist was trained as a Medical Doctor. Today he was not known in Medicine but as a musician.

I know a Computer Engineer whose prowess as a literary writer stands him in better stead than the engineering skill he acquired in the university.

But, hear me, It is required and important to acquire qualitative education. Not all persons discover their hidden talents. Their acquired skills keep them going.

Talent is often hidden and raw and needs to be discovered at the right time. It can be nurtured and improved over time if efforts are made in the right direction.

Every one of us is born with a special quality that is latent.

A person may possess talent in dancing, singing, cooking, acting swimming, painting etc.

The owner of the franchise for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was an unsuccessful banker and investor. Today, his KFC franchise is one of the biggest in the world. He competes favorably with MacDonalds.

It often happens with many people that their talents remain unspotted because of lack of proper guidance, support and opportunity to showcase them.

Not every celebrity was born in the spotlight. Some of the rich and famous worked their way up the ladder.

Before breaking into the industry as a successful rapper, Kanye west was a Sales Assistant.

Whoopi Goldberg, the great actress was a Morgue Beautician. She dressed corpses.

Barack Obama was an ice cream vendor.

So my people, get a good education, discover your talent, that thing you are very good at and nurture it.

If the world is full of only Professors, it will be very dull and terrible. All the taps will leak because there will be no plumbers.

If there are no actors and musicians, we will all be bored to death.

Our shoes will all be worn if there are no cobblers.

So in choosing a career, always consider what your natural calling is.