By Lenon Nasi Rwizi: Law student – University of Fort Hare
Being in charge of your work life doesn’t mean you always move with assurance and brilliant self-confidence; it means you keep moving, continuing on your own path, even when you feel shaky and uncertain. While training towards Catholic Priesthood, my then novice master, Fr Tryvis Moyo, once said, ‘Life is what happens along the way’. Whatever happens on our career paths, we find are always tempted to give up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. I am a personal testimony to the truth of this statement. We are products of the decisions that we have made in the past. If not, then we are offspring to the choices we have failed to clinch. In this article, I am going to narrate the challenges and drama that I have experienced so far in discovering my career.
At 17 years 352 days after finishing my Advanced Level studies at Mt St Mary’s High, I had the whole world to conquer. I had studied English Literature, History and Divinity and scored 13 points. Few weeks before making my move, I had been admitted to study Laws at the University of Zimbabwe. Coupled to that I had an option to go to the United States to pursue the same program. However, having been raised at a rural Catholic mission environment, I had known nuns and Priests as my major role models. They were the major influence that I could find worth emulating. Soon after Advanced Level studies, I tendered an application to the Redemptorists Missionaries, who soon responded with an invitation to an interview. I was admitted to come and join them, with the view of training towards the Priesthood!
I had a huge decision to make either opt for the Law School or join the Missionary vision of Catholic Priesthood. Though I do not regret the decision that I made I feel my career path took a major twist. Two years after making this decision, I strongly felt I was at the wrong place. Experiencing the reality of Priestly life convinced me that I am not cut for the same life. However, I stayed around for almost five years considering my options. I went on to attain a Baccalaureate in Philosophy with the Gregorian University. Later on in 2014, I made a bold decision to leave and find my dream! I revisited my initial idea of studying Laws and indeed I was accepted to be studying on a Presidential Scholarship.
I consider myself very lucky to have received a second chance to realign my life. Now I am studying Laws at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. The going has not been easy due to the draining emotional energy emanating from my past decisions. I have successfully made a bold decision that as soon as I finish my LLB, I would want to practice Law in Zimbabwe. I am almost getting there. I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything. I should be on the streets or lost in a dry village somewhere but I strongly feel that the decision to do what I best enjoy has reinvigorated substance in my life. I am happy, thank God to the decision that I made. We are products of the daily decisions that we make. Make the right decision today and do not be afraid to correct the mistaken decisions that you have made in your life.
To all young people out there, I hope this chapter of my life can help you see the need to thoroughly consider your options when coming to make career decisions. Not everyone out there will be lucky enough to get a second chance as in my circumstances. The most terrible condition is to find yourself doing something for which you do not have passion. No matter what happens in your life, keep the ball moving.
