I Got Back to School as a Working Mom and Built a Career in Finance

I am a 34-year-old Kenyan woman currently based out of Canada. I was raised in an African family deeply rooted in Christian values and guided by a strict yet loving father who believed that education was the greatest gift he could offer his children. Growing up in a large family with thirteen siblings where resources were scarce, studying hard was my way to honor our father’s hard work and sacrifices. We knew he was working on his maximum potential to provide for us. While we weren’t wealthy, we lived a comfortable life, thanks to his unwavering dedication and resilience. 

UoPeople Emerged as My Savior During Trying Times  

I studied well during my undergraduate years because my dad was alive to take care of my financial needs but unfortunately, he passed away just two days after my graduation. Life came to a standstill for me and my younger siblings. I had to learn to survive on my own without depending on anyone. 

At that time, I worked as an accountant but made a really low income. With whatever I was earning, I was putting myself through CPA Kenya studies. I had also just given birth to my second son.

I wanted so badly to gain an international education but didn’t have the enormous money a traditional master’s degree would have required. This led to my online search for an affordable university. I got to know about University of the People via their blogs and grew hopeful after understanding their tuition-free model. 

I took a leap of faith and joined the MBA program at UoPeople. 

Juggling Work, Family, and MBA 

Studying at UoPeople turned out to be the best choice for me. I was a young working mum when I joined here. The pressure of raising young kids and managing to work and study alongside felt like a lot to deal with on certain days but UoPeople made it much easier. It was liberating to be able to study at my own pace. I studied after my kids went to bed. I often felt overwhelmed, but I chose to persevere. My UoPeople peer from Uganda, John, encouraged me a lot and didn’t let me give up. I will forever be grateful to him for keeping me going in trying times. We supported each other through online discussions and studied together from 2022 to 2024. One might think that you cannot forge human connections at an online university, but that’s just an illogical assumption. I formed strong friendships with learners from across the globe during my time at UoPeople.

Reclaiming Myself  

Studying at UoPeople helped me gain confidence in my own abilities. It helped me find out more about myself. I evolved every day and realized I could go beyond raising my family and excelling as a wife and mother. It equipped me to apply to further educational opportunities at international institutes. I applied for a Master of Finance at the University of Manitoba, Canada and got accepted.  

The skills I learned during my time at UoPeople have been very instrumental in my career. My CV has been strengthened by my MBA. Skills such as Strategic Decision-Making, Problem Solving, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Operations Management have prepared me for the international job market. I am not afraid of applying to challenging jobs and am actively looking to build a career in finance in Canada. 

My Two Cents for Current and Prospective UoPeople Learners 

Don’t ever study in isolation; network actively with your peers. Being glued to the computer and not sparing time for friends and family gatherings can take a toll on you. So, please take time off whenever you can. Juggling different roles can seem like a lot of sacrifice but trust me, it is all worth it. You will go places with the help of the skills you will learn while earning your degree. Earning an international degree will prepare you to compete strongly in the dynamic job market out there. So, take a leap of faith just like I did, and work hard to enjoy the rewards you deserve! I have been fortunate to have had a very supportive family, but you could find support and comfort in anyone who believes in you. Value human connection above everything else and your life will be sorted.  

About the Author 

Irene K. is an experienced accounting and finance professional with expertise in financial reporting, risk analysis, and tax accounting. She is currently an international student at the University of Manitoba earning a Master of Finance. When not working or studying, she loves connecting with people from all walks of life and finds meaning in building strong relationships. Denzel Washington’s famous speech, “Fail big! You only live once. So, do something you are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to take chances in your professional life . . .” has been a constant source of inspiration for her.