Finding confidence; A journey from doubt to discovery

By Akinyi Phoebe Nyaumba

Making it to university was never just about passing examinations or flipping through books it was a true journey of survival.

I vividly recall the challenges we faced along the way: strikes, floods that disrupted learning for many, and above all, the global pandemic COVID-19. The pandemic not only halted education but also rewrote the academic calendar. At just Grade 8, the future felt uncertain and faint.

Yet, through it all, I arrived here from a modest sub-county school to one of the best universities in East Africa.

I joined university with great zeal, envisioning a transformation into a new version of myself mature, confident, and professional. I even imagined myself in formal attire, walking purposefully to class, carrying books like a lecturer.

At the top of my priorities was one pressing decision: to change my course from Communication and Journalism to Education (English and Literature).

Throughout my school years, I was recognized as a “junior role model” someone who enjoyed guiding peers and making learning easier. This passion, reinforced by encouragement from my teachers, had given me the confidence to see myself as a teacher. It seemed natural, then, to pursue Education as a career.

I also believed that careers in Communication and Journalism were heavily dependent on “connections,” making success in the field difficult without networks. For this reason, I wanted to move away from it.

However, after orientation, my perspective changed.

I realized the challenge was not my course, but my mindset. Listening to senior students, lecturers, and alumni during those sessions opened my eyes. I began to see Communication and Journalism not as a limitation, but as an opportunity a path full of undiscovered potential. Instead of running from it, I needed to embrace it.

Still, doubt lingered. My passion and capabilities seemed to be at odds, leaving me uncertain of which direction to take.

It was during a conversation with the MUISSA chairperson, Mr. Boaz Otieno, that my confidence was restored. I shared my confusion with him, and his words became a turning point:

“You are a writer, aren’t you? 

Then journalism suits you. It is all about persistence and determination. Always volunteer, take opportunities where you can, and you will go far.”

For the first time, I saw myself not just as someone who enjoyed writing, but as a storyteller with potential. Writing had always been part of me, but I had never considered it a career path.

Today, I find myself writing this very article for publication in NextTrend magazine a moment that affirms my place in the world of Communication and Journalism. I am now confident in my path, armed with the resources and determination to achieve my dreams.

As Mr. Otieno reminded me:

“You are not in this course by mistake. You only need to unveil what has not yet been discovered within it. Be determined, be persistent, embrace teamwork, remain close to your lecturers and you

 will go far.”