Graduating from university is often described as both an ending and a beginning. For Mbonimpa Roger, a proud alumnus of Mount Kenya University, the journey beyond the graduation gown has been one of creativity, growth, and a relentless drive to make a name in the media industry.
Roger, who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, remembers his final year at Mount Kenya University as a mixture of excitement and pressure. “I was preparing my final project, applying for internships, and constantly thinking about my future,” he recalls. “There was a lot of pressure to succeed and make the degree count.”
Entering the real world
After graduation, Roger faced the familiar uncertainty many fresh graduates experience. “I thought getting a job would be immediate,” he admits. “But it was tougher than expected.”
Instead of waiting, Roger decided to take initiative. Using the camera and editing skills he had developed at university, he started freelancing as a videographer. He covered weddings, community events, and began creating short documentaries on youth talent in Kigali.
Roger’s first breakthrough came when a local broadcasting station noticed his work on social media and offered him a job as a videographer and junior broadcaster. “That call changed everything,” he says. “It felt like my hustle had finally been noticed.”
Today, Roger works full-time as a videographer and broadcaster, producing visual content for television and digital platforms. His role allows him to tell compelling stories, conduct interviews, and visually capture Rwanda’s vibrant culture and development.
Challenges outside the university
Despite the success, Roger acknowledges that life after university hasn’t been easy. “Freelancing taught me the value of patience,” he says. “There were months I had no gigs. Managing finances and building a reputation takes time.”
He also faced the challenge of adapting to the professional world. “Deadlines in media are serious. You must be on your toes. It’s not like campus where you can negotiate an extension.”
Advice to final-year students
Roger advises current students not to wait for graduation to begin chasing their dreams. “Start while you’re still in school,” he says. “Build your portfolio, volunteer, network—do something that shows your passion.”
Roger’s dream is to open his own media production company and mentor aspiring videographers. “Mount Kenya University gave me the tools,” he says. “But what I do with those tools is up to me.”
His journey is a powerful reminder that success after university is possible—not always immediate, but definitely within reach for those who are willing to keep creating, keep learning, and keep going.
