A Decade of Growth: My Academic Journey from Diploma to MBA—and Beyond
My journey in higher education began in 2013, when I enrolled for my first-year Diploma at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). With ambition in my heart and a clear vision in mind, I progressed steadily through each academic milestone. By 2019, I had successfully obtained my second qualification—a proud moment that reaffirmed my belief in lifelong learning.
Determined to push my boundaries further, I pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration in 2021, which I completed in the same year. My ultimate goal was always clear: to obtain my Master of Business Administration (MBA) by the age of 30 and to earn a PhD before turning 35.
In 2022, I was accepted into the prestigious MBA programme at the Tshwane School for Business and Society, TUT’s distinguished business school. However, the timing proved challenging. The MBA coursework begins early in the year—January—with weekly full-day classes every Saturday. At the time, my professional responsibilities in the academic department were at their peak. Balancing both worlds was mentally and physically taxing, and I found myself having to cancel my studies after only a short while, without the chance to pause and reset after completing my honours-level studies.
Refusing to let go of my dream, I re-enrolled in January 2023 with renewed energy and determination. Despite the continued intensity of my work schedule and social responsibilities, I remained focused. I successfully completed the first year of the two-year MBA programme, and in 2024, I entered my final year with a clear sense of purpose. I’m proud to say I completed my MBA with an impressive final research thesis, earning a mark of 73%. The quality of the work, along with the rigorous process it involved, stands as one of the academic achievements I value most in my journey.
Having reached this goal before my 30th birthday, I am now preparing for the next chapter: a PhD. I’ve chosen to pursue my doctoral studies at a different institution, seeking a fresh academic perspective and broader exposure, given that most of my qualifications were obtained through TUT.
What I’ve learned through this journey is simple yet powerful: success is rooted in focus, discipline, and a refusal to quit. If you start something—finish it. Earning a degree is not a right, but a privilege that comes with unwavering faith and commitment. I hope my story encourages others to persevere and aim beyond the boundaries of what seems possible.
