Discover the career of a Bachelor of Arts graduate working in the Education Sector, Kenya
Wawira Esther
Bachelor of Arts graduate
What industry do you work in and what exactly are your skills?
I work in the field of Education and Training (a trainer). I am also involved in management of the institution projects and a technical adviser to the projects committee, and my major skills involve project management and training/instructing/facilitating.
What inspired you to get into this sort of industry?
Kenya as a country has placed a very high value on education as an instrument for social and economic development. Development has always been my dream, therefore felt motivated to join a career that will enhance me to contribute to the development of a given country.
What qualifications and experience did you have to gain in order to establish yourself and therefore become a professional within your industry?
The standard academic qualification as well as professional experience accumulated over the years.
What is the most challenging aspect within your field of work?
One major constraint is a lack of resources in terms of trained personnel in the field of management and education training. This is a major challenge in the implementation of projects in a given institution.
Inadequate ICT infrastructure in the institutions which hinders the smooth implementation process.
Inadequate financing by the government and other financial organisations. This major problem that sometimes can make a project to fizzle.
How do you manage and overcome these challenges?
To counteract the problem of incompetent personnel I go an extra mile of offering voluntary training on the basic managerial skills to some of employees in the field of my work.
To overcome the challenge of ICT infrastructure and problem of finances I work very closely with donors and sponsors who offer some assistance.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Working hard over the last several years and achieving the role project manager.
If somebody starts as a trainee / beginner within your line of work, what could they earn in salary?
Roughly 3000 USD
What can this person expect to earn after 10 years of experience?
Roughly 5000USD
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is my father who was a great educator and a trainer as well as the head manager of our family enterprise in our home country.
What motivates you to work this hard?
- Intrinsic motivation…my ability to work hard and deliver results due to my industry knowledge, experience and expertise in my field of work;
- The challenges that I encounter motivates me to work harder to come up with a solution;
- Extrinsic motivation….this is motivation from my employer who recognises my hard work through rewards and considerable remuneration;
- Team work. Having good relationship with my colleagues at work and my employer always helps;
- I am additionally motivated by achieving set goals and objectives.
What is your outlook within your industry over the next 5 years?
- I want to and will achieve a high level of knowledge, skills and expertise in my career; through the challenges encountered during my experience;
- I want to be an excellent team player / leader under minimal supervision;
- I want to advance my level of managerial skills;
- Gain the highest skills of project monitoring and evaluation.
As you know, numerous African countries are being invested in due to their rich minerals. Which country within Africa do you think will be the next hot spot and why?
Kenya: Because of the oil discovered in the Northern part of the country [Turkana region] the coastal belt of Kenya has proved to be rich in precious minerals such as valid and zircon.