Finding the Right Career Path: How to Discover What You’re Good At and Where You Belong was originally published on Young Black and Professional.
Finding the right career path isn’t always about having a perfectly mapped-out plan. For many, it’s a blend of trial and error, courage, and the willingness to show up as your most authentic self.
That was the resounding message from this Capco-sponsored Career Fest fireside chat; “Finding the Right Career Path: How to Discover What You’re Good At and Where You Belong.”
At the BYP Career Fest/Leadership conference, a panel session brought together Capco leaders Dimitra Pantazi (Global Talent Attraction, Inclusion & Belonging Specialist), Jamain Graveney, Millicent Lartey, Patrick Obijuru (all Principal Consultants), and Soraia Santos (Global Inclusion & Belonging Lead). Together, they peeled back the layers of professional growth; from managing self-doubt to embracing change, showing that finding your way is as much about who you are as it is about what you do.
Start with Self-Awareness
Every fulfilling career journey begins with knowing yourself — what drives you, what drains you, and what values you’re unwilling to compromise. For Soraia Santos, that self-awareness has been her compass through career pivots and growth.
“Identify what is important to you for your next role, and have that courage to say, okay, I’m actually not happy here.”
Her advice is a reminder that career growth doesn’t always mean upward movement sometimes, it’s about realignment. Recognizing when something no longer fits can be the most powerful step toward rediscovering purpose.
The Power of Authenticity
Authenticity surfaced as one of the most important lessons of the discussion. Millicent Lartey reflected on her experience with imposter syndrome and trying to conform to an image she thought would lead to success, only to find it led to burnout instead.
“Being the authentic version of yourself actually is the most beneficial thing you can do whenever you’re in the room… because that is the way you’re going to be able to say everything you want to say.”
Her story resonates deeply within Capco’s culture of inclusion, where being yourself at work isn’t a tagline but, it’s a value lived daily. For early-career professionals, authenticity isn’t just freeing; it’s a strategic advantage that builds trust, clarity, and confidence in every space you enter.
Failing Forward
For Patrick Obijuru, success has been built on resilience, learning to see rejection as a teacher, not a verdict.
“For every NO, your next YES is coming… so delude yourself to just keep going.”
That “positive mental attitude” helped him reframe setbacks into stepping stones, a mindset echoed across the panel. Later, Patrick shared practical advice for anyone applying to jobs in a competitive market:
“There is no other way, but you just have to apply… you’re going to be rejected, that goes without saying…. but through the process, you refine your CV, your answers, your direction.”
For young professionals navigating uncertainty, Patrick’s insight underscores the importance of momentum; that even imperfect action can lead to clarity and opportunity.
Plan, But Be Adaptable
Jamain Graveney offered a balanced view of planning and flexibility.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail… it’s really helpful to have a sense of the direction that we’re moving in… life ultimately comes down to decision-making.”
His words cut to the heart of career navigation: planning provides direction, but adaptability allows for growth. Sometimes, a chance encounter or unexpected challenge can open the door to an entirely new path, if you’re willing to step through it.
Capco’s Commitment: Belonging, Growth, and Authenticity
For Capco, these conversations reflect more than just good advice; they mirror the firm’s own culture. Through initiatives that foster inclusion, continuous learning, and belonging, Capco champions environments where professionals can thrive by being true to themselves.
The company’s motto, “Be yourself at work,” continues to inspire a new generation of professionals to pursue careers that align with both ambition and authenticity.
Final Thought
There’s no single route to professional fulfillment. However, there are guiding principles. Be authentic. Stay curious. Take the risk. Learn from every rejection. As this panel revealed, the right career path often reveals itself when you stop trying to fit in and start daring to belong.
Catch the full Capco panel discussion on BYP Network’s YouTube channel to hear more real stories, practical tips, and honest reflections from professionals who are defining success on their own terms. [watch video here].
