WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL STUCK IN YOUR CAREER- Interview with Unechia

Ever felt like you’re just going through the motions at work? Like you’ve hit a plateau in your career and you’re wondering, What next? The good news is you don’t always have to switch careers to find purpose, you can reinvent yourself right where you are.

I chatted with Unechia Omiyi a Sonographer who specialises in ultrasound and has been in the field for 18 years. She knows what it’s like to feel stuck, but instead of starting over in another career path, she found ways to grow, challenge herself, and make an even bigger impact, all within the same profession.

If you’re feeling stagnant in your career, this one’s for you! Let’s dive in.

Please share a bit about your career journey so far.

Thanks for having me! My career started in Nigeria, where I practised for 13 years before relocating to the UK. One of my main reasons for moving was to gain international exposure and experience. The process was quite straightforward—I registered with a professional body, got my license, and started practising here. But, settling in involved understanding the culture, which is crucial for performing my duties well. It’s been quite a journey!

At what point did you realise you had hit a plateau in your career? When did you start feeling like, “What next?”

It started in 2019; I started feeling restless. I was working as the lead Radiographer at a company in Lagos, and everything had become routine, nothing new was happening. I wanted more. I wanted to see what was happening in the industry globally—what new technologies were being applied? What others around the world were doing? I was hungry for more knowledge.

I started attending international training programs. I went to one in Dubai and then to another in the UK. I even spent two weeks at Harvard’s Teaching Hospital in Boston. That training was one of the best experiences of my career. Every time I travelled, I learnt something new that gave me an edge. I’d return to Nigeria and share my knowledge with colleagues, and their reactions made me realise I was ready for the next level. That’s when I decided to register to practice in the UK. Once that was sorted, getting a job didn’t take long.

Did you take time to reflect on what exactly was making you restless? Was it a lack of recognition, no promotion, or simply just wanting more?

Yes, I spent time reflecting. I realised it wasn’t about recognition or promotion, I had just become too comfortable. My work had become so predictable, and I wasn’t being challenged anymore. Most of my clients had even become my friends since we primarily cared for families. It was a great company for me to work at; I learned a lot and grew, but I felt I had reached my limit there. I knew I needed to push for more growth.

You now run training sessions and webinars. How did that come about? Did you start asking yourself, “What more can I do?”

Absolutely. It started when I noticed a gap at work. Being in a private healthcare setting, even though they followed regulations and best practices, training didn’t seem to get as much attention as I expected. I arrived in the UK in January 2020, and by March, the world went into lockdown. Working in a private clinic meant I had fewer colleagues around, and the isolation was tough.

One day, I thought, “Since we can’t meet physically, why not educate ourselves through webinars?” I pitched the idea to two colleagues—they loved it. We decided to pick topics, research them, and take turns presenting. What started as an in-house initiative quickly grew, with colleagues from different franchises joining. Beyond learning, it became a small community where we bonded after sessions.

When did you decide to take it to a global audience?

During my master’s program, I had to pause the webinars because organising them became overwhelming. I didn’t expect my colleagues to miss them so much! They kept asking me to bring them back, and that’s when I realised the impact. They even encouraged me to take it beyond our company, so I moved it to LinkedIn.

What has the response been like on LinkedIn?

Oh my goodness! It’s been amazing. We get registrations from all over the world—Saudi Arabia, India, Kenya, Nigeria, the USA, the UK, Canada, the list goes on. My focus is on ultrasound. At first, I wasn’t sure if people would be interested in my webinar, I assumed there were already plenty of resources out there. But seeing how eager people were to learn made me realise that there’s always a need for more knowledge, and these webinars fill an important gap.

You mentioned young professionals reaching out to you. Do you have plans to mentor those looking up to you?

It’s been so humbling. I receive messages from young professionals seeking career advice, and it’s fulfilling to help them. Recently, a young radiographer from India reached out via DM for some career advice, and I was able to guide him. I’ve been thinking of launching a mentorship program that will run twice a year to provide structured support. It’s still in the planning phase, but I’d love to make it happen.

Were there mentors or people you sought advice from that influenced your decisions?

Absolutely. My first boss was a huge influence, though he probably never realised it. He constantly sought international training in Canada and other parts of the world, and I saw how it shaped his business. He was the first in Nigeria to start a fully digital radiology business. That inspired me. I told myself I wouldn’t wait for any company to sponsor my learning. So, I started saving and planning. That’s how I transitioned to another company, where I earned more and could afford global training programs. It was one of the best career decisions I made. 

I also read books by people who inspire me and listen to those I’ve learned from over time. I’ve come to realise that mentorship isn’t always direct—sometimes, people mentor you from a distance without even knowing it.

Let’s talk about networking. How has networking helped you? Do you attend industry events?

Networking has been a game-changer for me. I make sure to attend industry events, and I never shy away from introducing myself. At one event, I met a lady who later became a guest on one of my webinars. LinkedIn has also been invaluable, I reach out to professionals, engage with their content, and build relationships. My husband is also in the same industry, and I’ve been able to leverage his network as well. 

People are generally receptive to what you do if it is something they can see adds value and they connect with. They will naturally reach out to you. So that’s another way I have networked.

Would you say this has helped you build a personal brand in your industry?

Oh, definitely! And the funny thing is, I never set out to build a personal brand. But the webinars have given me visibility. I was at an event recently, and two people walked up to me, saying, “Aren’t you the webinar lady?” It was humbling to know people recognise me for something impactful.

Finally, what advice would you give someone feeling stuck in their career?

It’s completely natural to hit a point where you start questioning what’s next. But I’d advise taking time to reflect and ask yourself what you truly want. For me, I also sought divine guidance. When I felt stuck, I prayed and asked God for direction. That’s when I got clarity on focusing on Ultrasound Education. It wasn’t random, it was intentional and led by purpose. So while planning your next steps, take time to listen, reflect, and seek guidance.

That’s such a great way to wrap up! Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Unechia. I’m sure many people will find this inspiring.

Thank you! It’s been a pleasure.