Like any middle class child in a developing country, education for me was not just about the motions. It birthed dreams, it squeezed the best out of me; but above all, it gave me the guts to dream, to believe, that someday I would be somebody. That is about everything that echoes in the mind of an African child. Get the best grades out of school, and become a doctor, an engineer, an accountant or something of like; something that brings prestige in the corridors of society; that makes your parents proud and not to mention, earn you some enormous "digits" of shillings.

And so once upon a time, I had a dream. Medical school it was; everyday for a bigger part of my childhood life, I saw nothing apart from me strolling down an aisle decorated with beds on either side; with innocent chants of "Musawo" in the air. As a child imagining that "savior of the world" welcome was priceless.

Sometimes however, we end up where we fit in, so naturally with perhaps a calloused consciousness.

Today, I’m happy with my Bachelors’ degree in physical sciences; with a major in mathematics. Precisely, call me a mathematician. Now this may commonly sound somewhat obnoxious. Probably the most failed subject in school, taught by mean looking teachers, and to say you’ve persisted with it throughout the different levels of education is quite telling. And that’s undoubtedly true because somehow, you’ve become a hot item with many career options before you.

When I chose to enroll for Bsc (Mathematics); mostly because it was the choice I was offered on government sponsorship, I had no idea of what exactly the future held for me; no career drive whatsoever and all I ever wanted was to complete the course and figure my way out in life.

I’m so glad today, because I’m pretty sure that fate threw me right in the middle of the most exciting career path. With my Bsc in Mathematics, I’m already excited about the numerous professional career options before me. I’m able to turn my hand to finance, statistics, computers, teaching or accountancy with a success not possible to other graduates. This flexibility is even more important nowadays, with the considerable uncertainty as to which areas will be the best for employment in future years.

The most recent surveys show graduates in mathematics and computer science at the top of the earning lists six years after graduation.

What makes it even more exciting is the fact that I’ve been able to achieve much in terms of learning and stretching my ability before I can eventually settle in a specific niche. Currently I’m a data information officer with a large civil society organization and it’s an awesome experience putting my analytical skills to use. I am practicing statistics much as I did not graduate precisely with a degree in statistics.

Mathematics has ably placed in me in a position of being able to practice methods for collecting, classifying, analyzing and making inferences from data when all I needed was basic training in the different statistical tools.

Ask me 2 years from now, and I will not advise anyone otherwise. Naturally sciences like mathematics for example offer a uniquely broad scope of career options.

Thanks and keep striving towards excellence!!!

The author, Menya Richard Ongom, is a Data information officer with Watoto Church.