Being a Alumni of Egerton University is the best thing that Happpend to me

Being a student at Egerton University will always be the best thing that ever happened to me. In my four years at Egerton as an Agribusiness student I  learned  a lot of things both in class and outside class that have really changed my life. 

I finished my exams on 8^th May 2011, and Reported to Job on Friday 10^th May 2011 having been employed as Agribusiness Officer at PAnAAC. The three months that have past have been one of the most exciting to me; I have attended conferences and major meetings in Places I could not have imagined I would set foot, not even in my wildest dreams.

The interaction with various industry leaders has made me a better person in life

Mr. Yariv Kader Head of Agronomy at Amiran Kenya, with Isaac in Meru Show.

 

Isaac with Yatta MP. Hon. Charles Kilonzo, inspecting development Projects in Yatta constituency.

The experience I have had after University has been so awesome, I remember during one of our Conferences that we attended with Prof. Kahi and Dr. Gamba at intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi.  I could not believe that two months out of college I would be sitting in the same table with my lecturers not as a student but as a professional colleague doing his part in Building the Nation. I have matured a lot by constantly interacting with my Lecturers and always getting back to them even in the middle of the night.

Isaac with Mr. Vimal Shah, CEO of Bidco at serena hotel.

My Achievements after University

Being the Agribusiness Officer at PAnAAC, I was in charge of student internship programme and in May 2011, we offered internships to 20 Egerton University Students. Their Programme was innovative in that we sent them to the field to assist the small scale farmers, and they  were being mentored by Professionals in the private sector , the students came out as real experts in the field with some writing business plans of their own and others helping farmers start up projects e.g. Fish pond in Eastern Kenya.

In June 2011, I was selected to Participate in a Conference call with the white house  house to Discuss about the first ladies trip to Africa. It was a big experience for me and I gained a lot of international Contacts after the call which has served to further my exposure in life.

In August I was among the four people selected to represent Africa at the annual Wikimania Conference in Haifa, Israel and I met with over 700 people from 56 countries in the world. . I Got the chance to meet with the Founder of Wikimedia Mr.Jimmy wales.

Isaac with Jimmy Wales Founder of Wikipedia- in Haifa, Israel

I have also been invited to Harvard University as a Panelist during the Millennium CampusConference , which will take place from 16^th – 18^th September, 2011. I will be discussing the Topic, Climate Change and Hunger and will get to meet over 1000 Student leaders and industry

The exposure I got by attending Agribusiness Trade fair at Hilton Hotel in November 2010 was the turning point in my life. I listened to a speech from Dr. Manu Chandaria and Mrs. Lucy Muchoki CEO of PanAAC which ignited a fire in me, I got so inspired and I felt I should emulate them. With the support of My Lecturers I started networking with professionals from all parts of the world and that’s when I started doing networking and connecting with organization like  Wikimedia Foundation ( Distributing offline version of Wikipedia in High schools), Google (Mapping agribusiness institutions in Kenya using goggle Maps) and Mozilla

Isaac with Mrs. Lucy Muchoki-Ceo PanAAC attending a Talk at Egerton Uni.

I also met connections  with friends in the US and who trained me on aspects that have proved to be my strengths so far- Professional  use of social networks, how to reply  professional emails.
I was also sponsored  for a three month mentorship programme at iHub Kenya and it has been a big plus to me.

The Secret behind my achievements so far is “My Lecturers and professional Mentors”. After coming back from the Hilton Conference, I used to visit their offices all the times when I was free just to receive advice and Professional guidance. I went even to offices of Lecturers who never taught me in class and they became my best friends always showing the Path to success.

Whenever I am faced with a difficult decision in my work place, I always refer to my Lecturers and my Professional Mentors for direction and Guidance.

To the students, , I want to say that beyond class work you need your  Lecturers and Professional  mentors- People like Mrs. Lucy muchoki, Vimal Shah and Dr. Manu Chandaria, more than anything else to succeed, forget finding one lecturer or professional for a role model. Instead look for different people for specific qualities and skills you want to emulate, never start with a person; start with the talent or trait.

All the best to all those Who are still pursuing their studies.