Michael Ogutu The culmination of university education is the graduation day. After 4 years of toil and moil the students graduat...
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| Michael Ogutu |
The culmination of university education is the graduation day. After 4 years of toil and moil the students graduate to join in the building of the nation. However, degrees have classes, which is in accordance to graduates performance. The most admired by all is the first class which only few students among the thousands manage to attain.
The chukauni.com team had a chat with one of this few exceptions and sought to know his life and what it has taken to attain a first class. Michael Ogutu is a communication and media graduate soft-spoken and a down to earth man his manners portray nothing more than a humble character.
chukauni.com: Michael can you try to paint us the picture of your background…
Michael: well, I am a third born from a family of six, I should say it’s a humble Christian background and I happen to be the first graduate in my family. By humble background I mean it has always taken a considerable amount of effort to raise my fee and though I have never had fee problems it has always been an endeavor to raise the little amount.
chukauni.com: well I understand your class had 23 students but only three of you got a first class what was your secret??
Michael: I don’t think I have any reason to brag about it because to tell you the truth, I can only attribute it to God. I wouldn’t call myself a book-worm neither am I some kind of genius. One thing I know however is I was disciplined, gave my best, worked smart put my trust in God and out came the first class. But I have to add also that understanding yourself and the time you are most productive helps a lot personally I used to read at night and then give a higher credence to the lecturers’ note but also read widely.
chukauni.com: is this a replica of what you have been doing since your primary.
Michael: well I won’t say I have been failing. However unlike many would expect I wasn’t among the top students who joined Chuka University. While there were people who joined with A’s and A -( minus) I actually was at the cutline then with a B of 65 and had actually performed poorly in English. At one time I actually wanted to change my course and approached Mr. Henry Nabea my lecturer who encouraged and told me there were actually some self-sponsored students who had a lower score than me. i remember when we joined we used to be given CATS and which I performed poorly compared to the score of my fellow classmates. But then I continued giving my best and sure like they say hard work pays.
chukauni.com: it’s usually said that most people with first class don’t have a life out of books, were you involved in any other activity or were you book centered?
Michael: I have been in so many activities, I am the founder of journalism club and I actually registered it and drafted its constitution, we started the varsity post magazine, I was a class representative, and at one time I became the faculty rep, I was the publishing director of the SDA. Although, these responsibilities did cost me some grades. I know it was worth because I have gained a considerable experience that I would never have acquired elsewhere. I wouldn’t encourage anybody to focus on books alone be all round.
chukauni.com: do you think you have something you will always regret doing or not doing?
Michael: yeah I did something that I will always regret. I mistook some feeling for love in my 4th year.it was my first time and it has left a scar. I threw a lot of time and effort on it which means I could have used that time and effort elsewhere. Though it has it’s experience, I always feel… only if…
Chukauni.com: Having a first class comes with a lot of expectation from the employer, don’t you think a lot will be expected from you?
Michael: yeah it’s true but you will receive what you expect from me because my first class is genuine and I am a disciplined hard worker.
chukauni.com: who is your role model?
Michael: well… I know it will sound weird but, I don’t have one because having one always places you second. Otherwise, mine would be Jesus.
chukauni.com: where do you want to be in the next five years?
Michael: my destiny is in Gods hand and I never limit where he can take me. However I want to be a lecturer and that means in 5 years’ time I should be working on my PhD.
Chukauni.com: Your parting shot to the continuing students?
Michael: work hard, there is no short cut but you should also work smart. Be sure it pays and don’t be a book-worm and avoid other activities. Be an all-rounder.