Finally have my degree !!
Zorodzai
Member Posts: 357 ■■■■■■■□□□
So, I finally have my degree.
In 2000 after completing high school in Botswana (where I was born and raised) I moved to my motherland Zimbabwe. Mostly due to non-existent career guidance and my own ignorance I had only applied to one university to which I was accepted but for Physics and not Computer Science for which I had applied. Again the ignorance came in - I could have then just applied to go to the Polytechnic to do a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science but, being the son of the first black woman to go to college from our district way back in 1960, I simply could not imagine myself not having a degree.
Off I went to college. It was hard but I struggled through first year and passed. Unfortunately the struggle was not only limited to me and school; Zimbabwe's economy was going through a major downward spiral. My mum had put all her savings in Zimbabwe (being that was where she had retired to) but unfortunately the crash of the Zimbabwe dollar greatly wiped out the value of her life's work. Am not sure if it was the economic stress or other factors, but it was also around the time she began showing signs of dementia - her short term memory just got worse and worse. Though she had managed to get a temporary teaching job at a tea estate her state of mind and health made it very difficult for her to keep going.
During the vacation between 1st and 2nd year I enrolled in a computer technician course and wrote my A+ and Network+ exams. The lady who ran the college liked my work ethic and offered me a part time job as a trainer so, for the rest of the vacation, I was an ICDL and MS Office teacher. As mum's condition, along with the economy, worsened I finally decided to stop going to school and take up teaching full time - it was ok but, only having my high school diploma, the salary was nothing to write home about. From there I got other training jobs until finally in 2004 I was hired as a PC technician by a lady called SJ Nott. Little did I know that would be a turning point of my life - she was my first real mentor and I learnt a LOT from her. When she finally sold her company she joined a bigger regional company as COO. I kept on at the company she had sold before going to a bigger company as IT Manager based on her recommendation. Imagine, Zoro with no degree was IT Manager of a stock exchange listed company. Down the line she called me and told me there was an opening at the company she worked at if I was interested.
This was in 2007 and that was the time our currency was now in trillions and value was eroding everyday so the chance of getting a job where I would travel and get USD per diems was too tempting so I agreed.
Through all this I always had regrets about not finishing my degree but I never really acted on those regrets until I applied for a job at one of the leading telecomms companies and the guy who was head of technology called me to say "Zoro, I should really not be doing this but I want you to know you did not get the job. You are by far the strongest candidate but we have a very strong HR policy and there is no way they could overlook that you do not have a degree. Please get one". I did not even know the guy personally but that's when I took the step to find out about distance learning and eventually applied to University of London. It was hard; being on the road and studying and eventually relocating to Rwanda meant something that I initially thought would take me 3 years to complete too 5. But here I am, finally done. I wish mum was there to see me graduate but am sure, in her own way, she knows that I have not let her down
In 2000 after completing high school in Botswana (where I was born and raised) I moved to my motherland Zimbabwe. Mostly due to non-existent career guidance and my own ignorance I had only applied to one university to which I was accepted but for Physics and not Computer Science for which I had applied. Again the ignorance came in - I could have then just applied to go to the Polytechnic to do a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science but, being the son of the first black woman to go to college from our district way back in 1960, I simply could not imagine myself not having a degree.
Off I went to college. It was hard but I struggled through first year and passed. Unfortunately the struggle was not only limited to me and school; Zimbabwe's economy was going through a major downward spiral. My mum had put all her savings in Zimbabwe (being that was where she had retired to) but unfortunately the crash of the Zimbabwe dollar greatly wiped out the value of her life's work. Am not sure if it was the economic stress or other factors, but it was also around the time she began showing signs of dementia - her short term memory just got worse and worse. Though she had managed to get a temporary teaching job at a tea estate her state of mind and health made it very difficult for her to keep going.
During the vacation between 1st and 2nd year I enrolled in a computer technician course and wrote my A+ and Network+ exams. The lady who ran the college liked my work ethic and offered me a part time job as a trainer so, for the rest of the vacation, I was an ICDL and MS Office teacher. As mum's condition, along with the economy, worsened I finally decided to stop going to school and take up teaching full time - it was ok but, only having my high school diploma, the salary was nothing to write home about. From there I got other training jobs until finally in 2004 I was hired as a PC technician by a lady called SJ Nott. Little did I know that would be a turning point of my life - she was my first real mentor and I learnt a LOT from her. When she finally sold her company she joined a bigger regional company as COO. I kept on at the company she had sold before going to a bigger company as IT Manager based on her recommendation. Imagine, Zoro with no degree was IT Manager of a stock exchange listed company. Down the line she called me and told me there was an opening at the company she worked at if I was interested.
This was in 2007 and that was the time our currency was now in trillions and value was eroding everyday so the chance of getting a job where I would travel and get USD per diems was too tempting so I agreed.
Through all this I always had regrets about not finishing my degree but I never really acted on those regrets until I applied for a job at one of the leading telecomms companies and the guy who was head of technology called me to say "Zoro, I should really not be doing this but I want you to know you did not get the job. You are by far the strongest candidate but we have a very strong HR policy and there is no way they could overlook that you do not have a degree. Please get one". I did not even know the guy personally but that's when I took the step to find out about distance learning and eventually applied to University of London. It was hard; being on the road and studying and eventually relocating to Rwanda meant something that I initially thought would take me 3 years to complete too 5. But here I am, finally done. I wish mum was there to see me graduate but am sure, in her own way, she knows that I have not let her down
Comments
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Ismaeljrp
Member Posts: 480 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congratulations man! I'm truly happy for you.
To me, this is the value of a degree. It's a representation of perseverance and dedication to complete.
I am currently enrolling in my final 3 courses via distance learning to also complete a degree I started in 2010. A lack of true dedication is where I faltered to be 100% honest. There were financial and logistical struggles, but nothing that couldn't have been solved with grit and discipline. -
Spiegel
Member Posts: 322 ■■■■■□□□□□
Many congrats to you and job well done in earning your degree! I can sympathize a bit with having to earn a degree for similar reasons and trying live up to your parent's expectations.Degree: WGU B.S. Network Operations and Security [COMPLETE]
Current Certs: A+ | N+ | S+ | Cloud Essentials+ | Project+ | MTA: OSF | CIW: SDA | ITIL: F | CCNA | JNCIA-Junos | FCA | FCF | LPI Linux Essentials
Currently Working On: JNCIA-MistAI
2024 Goals: JNCIA-MistAI [ ], Linux+ [ ]
Future Certs: CCNP Enterprise -
JoJoCal19
Mod Posts: 2,835 Mod
Wow amazing story and congrats on the degree!!! It is well earned!Have: CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, eJPT, GCIA, GSEC, CCSP, CCSK, AWS CSAA, AWS CCP, OCI Foundations Associate, ITIL-F, MS Cyber Security - USF, BSBA - UF, MSISA - WGU
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework -
paul78
Member Posts: 3,016 ■■■■■■■■■■
Thanks for sharing your story. Well done on your accomplishment! As someone that doesn't have a degree, I am inspired by your story. One day, I too will finish my own degree. And your story has provided me with another motivating factor to do so.
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coffeeluvr
Member Posts: 734 ■■■■■□□□□□
Congratulations on your accomplishment. Thanks for sharing your story."Something feels funny, I must be thinking too hard. - Pooh" -
Dakinggamer87
Member Posts: 4,016 ■■■■■■■■□□
Congrats!! Nicely done
*Associate's of Applied Sciences degree in Information Technology-Network Systems Administration
*Bachelor's of Science: Information Technology - Security, Master's of Science: Information Technology - Management
Matthew 6:33 - "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
Certs/Business Licenses In Progress: AWS Solutions Architect, Series 6, Series 63 -
ThePawofRizzo
Member Posts: 389 ■■■■□□□□□□
Congrats. What a long road, but you made it. Bet it feels great! -
boxerboy1168
Member Posts: 395 ■■■□□□□□□□
congrats, how is living there now I've always been interested in AfricaCurrently enrolling into WGU's IT - Security Program. Working on LPIC (1,2,3) and CCNA (and S) as long term goals and preparing for the Security+ and A+ as short term goals. -
UnixGuy
Mod Posts: 4,570 Mod
Congratulations on a job well done!
I remember your posts about University of London, it was around the same time I was looking into it. It's known to be hard, so you did a great job!! on to bigger and better things now!!
What's next for you? Masters degree? -
Info_Sec_Wannabe
Member Posts: 428 ■■■■□□□□□□
Congratulations on your degree and I must say that is a very inspiring story.
X year plan: (20XX) OSCP [ ], CCSP [ ] -
Zorodzai
Member Posts: 357 ■■■■■■■□□□
Thanks everyone, couldn't have done it without the inspiration from everyone on this forum.
@UnixGuy - I'm thinking of knocking off a few SQL exams whilst I still have a valid UoL student ID (gives great discounts on Microsoft exams) before going for the inevitable MBA
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NotHackingYou
Member Posts: 1,460 ■■■■■■■■□□
Congratulations, old friend!When you go the extra mile, there's no traffic.
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luisbee
Member Posts: 28 ■■■□□□□□□□
Congrats homeboy on getting your degree...and your story, to others might be fiction but testify that I was also in Zimbabwe during those testing times…
Get in touch on LinkedIn homey and we can network…
Certs Achieved: CISA / CISM / CISSP / ISO 27001 Lead Auditor / CRISC
Currently Studying: ISSAP / Python
"Be silly. Be fun. Be different. Be crazy. Be you, because life is too short to be anything but happy." - Anon -
dmoore44
Member Posts: 646
Congrats - that's a major achievement!
For what it's worth, Carnegie Mellon University has a campus in Kigali. While I was pursuing my MS, I studied with many students that were located in Rwanda and they were all great to work with.Graduated Carnegie Mellon University MSIT: Information Security & Assurance Currently Reading Books on TensorFlow
