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John Gitau Wairimu, a Kenyan man who became one of the only four individuals to graduate with Masters degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology in whole of United States has opened up on his journey to the academic milestone.
Gitau and three other Americans will be graduating in the maiden Nuclear Medicine master’s program at The University of Alabama in Birmingham UAB.
Speaking to Jamhuri News, Gitau narrates how his childhood passion for physics pushed him to enroll for a course in automotive manufacturing at Alabama University, before ultimately dropping out after one year of study out of fear of its dwindling demand in the job market.
"I always had this passion in physics and fixing things around the house growing up. So I wanted to be in engineering, and I applied to a school in Alabama and enrolled in a course in automotive manufacturing 13 years ago. But the automotive industry was failing, and out of fear, I dropped after 1 year; but not before finishing a welding course in that program (am a very good by the way lol).” Gitau says.
Like a majority of African immigrants in the US, he was almost lured to studying nursing after numerous advise from friends, but his dislike for nursing drove him to enroll in Medical school.
”I didn’t like nursing…I was trying to get into Med school, but after talking to advisors, they pointed that I had too much Physics background in me to just let it run through the drains. So Nuclear Medicine came up……It involves a lot of physics and also a lot of patient care courses, you know, biology chemistry, so upon doing a little research I just fell in love with it.” Narrates Gits.
He opted to then pursue a bachelor’s degree in public health after attempts to enroll for Nuclear Medicine Technology programme failed. In 2014, when Nuclear Medicine was elevated to master’s and he applied together with a few others, but none qualified as the bar had been set too high.
”It took me another year of studying for the GRE and finally made the cut points. In the second application, 21 of us applied, but not all met the requirements, and to my understanding, half of them did not pass the GRE with the cut points required to get accepted in UAB graduate school. UAB is a very prestigious research and University hospital recognized worldwide, and so one is required to have a very high standard to get accepted in any of the programs” he said.
He says his journey has not been a walk in the park, but he pursued his dream despite dropping out of school for two NAD half years, he says: ” God worked his ways, plus motivation from friends and fear of failing my mother and the many folks who believed in me. I had to go back finish what I came here to do.”
About his plans in the future he said: ”I’m pursuing my Ph.D. in healthcare management next, but I plan to do it part-time starting 2018. I don’t want to be too late starting a family. Hopefully, I’ll meet a good wife who will support my dreams and that will be a plus.”
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I hear up up there beyond the clouds, there is something called interdisciplinary programs. Experts (read PhD) from different fields work together, create and develop these emerging technologies.
A masters degree encompasses many classes taught by qualified professor's for each.
What is the big deal anyway
I pray his success will encourage the other bongo lalas in diaspora to go to school, learn something and contribute to the society.
Bongolala ni wewe. Four year college edu. isn't for everyone. A two year technical or vocational edu. is enough for some of us. For example, I see all these kids graduating with business degrees and are looking for employment. Why can't they take what they have learnt and use it in real life to start a business? Most college kids know how to pass exams but not how to utilise their degrees in real life. Don't get me started on student loans..
The really rich & wealthy folks don't give a damn about too much education. They focus on FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION that's useful in their day to day lives including running BUSINESSES. Your type which believes in lots of college degrees become their slaves / employees, period. How many doctorate folks out there you know that are filthy rich? Stay in your lane and leave the rest of us in ours.
Just some lil' advice on the wify mission - put a lot of effort and look for an achiever like you, a highly educated one / intelligent too. Don't gv much of a damn about looks; they are exceedingly deceptive. A woman with these qualities will greatly appreciate what it's taken you to get where you are. The rest of them are mostly interested in bagging an intelligent, ambitious young man like you so that you can foot their life bills and if things don't work to their liking, they can haul ur ass to the courts for alimony & child support & your life becomes miserable. They call us "pets"
Congratulations John! Stay blessed! We are proud of you!
Such an inspiring story of a person who never gave up on his dreams! All the best John!
@Mlachake, from his interview, he appears a well rounded, grounded and humble man. Doubt he needs your negative spin on women. He already has sound role models who keep him in check as he says, and that is his mother and older sister. His mama should be proud of him, bringing up such a spirit single handedly. Having children is a consensual thing, so if you had no intention of having any, you should have put a sock on it! You all, stop trying to scare this guys before he even takes off!
I admire this young man for not bowing down to pressure to become a nurse. There are so many unhappy nurses with huge tuition loans trapped in jobs they hate.
Thank you all for the warm kind words. Asanteni sana
hey am the wife you are looking for ....lol !
what kind of career can he pursue with that qualification?
What degrees did the instrutors have if only four have attained a master's level? Just curious!