Dr. Ann Wangui wasn’t always the confident and accomplished career coach you see today. Her journey started in a small village in central Kenya, where resources were limited, and career guidance was almost nonexistent.

“As a young girl, I was always curious about the world,” Dr. Ann recalls. “I loved school, and I wanted to make my parents proud. But when it came to choosing what to do after high school, I felt completely lost.”

Dr. Ann vividly remembers sitting for her KCSE exams with mixed emotions—hope for a better future and fear of what lay ahead. At home, her parents, though loving, didn’t have the tools to guide her. “My parents would say, ‘Fanya bidii, Ann, uende university.’ But what course would I take? What career was even right for me? Hakuna mtu alikuwa ananieleza,” she shares with a smile that hides years of frustration.

After her results came in, Dr. Ann found herself in a tug-of-war between her passion for psychology and the pressure to pursue a “prestigious” course like medicine. “Everyone had an opinion,” she says. “I was told psychology won’t pay the bills. But deep down, I knew I wanted to understand people—why they make the choices they do and how I could help them live better lives.”

Her decision to follow her heart came at a cost. Without proper guidance, she stumbled through university, juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet. “I remember walking to class, not because I couldn’t afford a bus fare, but because I didn’t even know where I was going with my life,” Dr. Ann confesses.

But everything changed during her third year of university. A chance encounter with a professor opened her eyes to the importance of mentorship and career guidance. “She told me, ‘Ann, your passion for people can create an impact far beyond what you imagine.’ That one conversation lit a fire in me,” she says.

From that moment, Dr. Ann dedicated herself to learning about career paths, psychology, and the intersection of passion and purpose. After earning degrees in Psychology and Human Resources, a Master’s, and eventually a Ph.D., she made it her mission to ensure no student would ever feel as lost as she once did.

“When I look at KCSE students today, I see myself in them,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “I see the confusion, the pressure, the fear of making the wrong choice. That’s why I’ve created programs tailored to their needs. I want them to have the clarity I didn’t have back then.”

Dr. Ann’s workshops aren’t just about picking a career—they’re about empowering students to dream big and parents to understand how they can support their children. “This isn’t just my job; it’s my calling,” she explains. “Every student I guide is a step closer to fulfilling my promise to that young girl who once felt lost and scared.”

Today, Dr. Ann is not only a celebrated career coach but also a mentor who has transformed thousands of lives. Her workshops blend practical guidance with emotional support, ensuring students and parents alike leave feeling hopeful and empowered.

“When you come to my workshop, I want you to leave not just with answers but with the confidence that your future is bright,” she says. “Because if I could make it from that confused girl in central Kenya to where I am today, I know you can too.”