Consistency and determination are always the key to greater success in life, and as Benjamin Franklin put it, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
Some of the very successful people have grown through these critical values.
One example is Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb, who is said to have tried 1,000 different ways to invent the lightbulb before finally succeeding.
His problem was finding the right filament for the bulb.
Edison was told by his teachers that he had no talent and could not learn, but Edison didn’t see himself as a talentless failure.
He would later speak up what he believed in,”Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Rodgers Otiso, a second-year student at Rongo University pursuing Communication and Journalism, shows these values through writing for various local newspapers in the country.
Discovering my dream
He grew his passion by memorizing various radio hosts’ names and watching the news being presented, especially while in class eight.
Later, when Otiso finished his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), he attained a C+ of 49 points.
With qualifications for direct entry into a university, he applied through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), but things did not go as planned.
“I was selected for a course in Veterinary Science in Egerton University, but because I had a passion in journalism, I had to talk to my parents and from there I changed and went on to do a degree course in Journalism at Rongo University,” this he told during an interview.
Three weeks after joining the university, Otiso approached one of his course mates, Aggrey Karani, after seeing his article on a national newspaper and from there, they became friends and started reading and writing together.
During the second year, he grew a passion for writing and successfully published over 150 opinions and six health and science features in local newspapers.
He writes with so much confidence, especially now that he already knows that he wants to major in the health and science beat.
When I asked his father whether he knew if his son was a great writer, he responded, “Actually I never knew he was a good writer until I saw one of his articles on a national newspaper and it felt really good.”
Motivation
Otiso says that his mentor’s support, encouragement, and constructive criticism have helped him improve more in his writing skills.
He also adds that his parents support him both financially and emotionally thus, gives him more reason to make them proud.
The freelance journalist encourages his fellow students to be consistent in what they are doing.
He adds that it is better to start early to build one’s own brand before entering the job market, as there are many people with the skills, but only a few opportunities are available.
Otiso believes that in the near future, he will be among the country’s top health and science journalists.
Commenting about his student’s experience, one of his lecturers, Charles Wagunda, said, “Writing is not something you do once and then you stop. It is commendable for students on campus to write and build up their confidence. Otiso has grown, especially now that his interest is in health and science.
His future is bright as this requires persistence and ability to identify one’s passion, which he has been able to do.”
Achievements
Being able to write a lot for the past two years has opened him opportunities.
He has been to the Standard Media Group three times for job shadowing.
In addition, the company has also recommended him for the field.
The young writer has also participated in Radio Maisha Talent Search, which was taking place in an ICT college in Nakuru.
He got a certificate with other participants and met some of his favorite radio hosts for Radio Maisha.
Not only does he write, but also Otiso is one of the pioneers for forming a writers club at Rongo University.
Together with his colleagues, they train and motivate each other in writing opinions and features.
The writer is also an ICT Manager in a program that he and his colleagues formed, known as Boy Child Empowerment Foundation, which is currently five months old.
Beyond activities that involve journalism, he also engages in others, like being a member of the Peace Ambassador Kenya at his university.
Challenges
“Sometimes it’s hard, especially when trying to come up with a story. Also trying to get interviewees for a story is hard as others might tell you that the information they have cannot be revealed. However, the major challenge comes when trying to balance my studies and also trying to write a story before the deadline,” Otiso explains.
Nevertheless, he tries to overcome his challenges by being aggressive and consistent with his writing.
He says he usually wakes up at 4 am daily in order to write features and articles and do research.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Ramba’s journey: Traversing East Africa in search of education
With his friend Karani, they support each other to keep writing more.
To other parents
“Let’s give our children the platform to choose their courses. This is because they are the ones who know their potential. Also, as parents, we should comment on their achievements,whether small or big and keep encouraging them,” Otiso’s father urges.
Yes, I agree with Otiso’s father that parents should allow their children to follow their dreams.
Fascinating Otiso. Congratulations to this young journalist. Impressive !
Thi’s great!
He’s actually very wise man who knows how to chase his own dreams.May the Lord guide him always.