Beyond the Degree: How Eucubeth Awino Turned Curiosity into a Career in Data Science.
For Eucubeth Awino, university was never just about earning a degree. It was a journey of discovering possibilities, taking risks and pursuing an interest that would eventually lead her beyond the boundaries of her undergraduate program.
As she prepares to graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with a Degree in Biostatistics, Awino is also celebrating another achievement: a certificate in Data Science that has opened the door to a growing career in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Her story is one of determination and, at times, difficult choices. Awino’s interest in technology began in her second year when she started participating in hackathons and taking courses offered through JHUB. Although she was pursuing Biostatistics, these experiences introduced her to a different side of technology and sparked a curiosity that continued to grow.
Her turning point came when she enrolled for a short course in Data Science at JKUAT. “I realized that there was so much more I could explore in technology,” she says, reflecting on the experience.
What began as an interest gradually became a serious career pursuit. While continuing with her Biostatistics studies, Awino immersed herself in data science, working on projects that demanded significant time and commitment. Her schedule became a careful balancing act.
Weekdays were largely dedicated to the data science course and its projects, while university work was often pushed to weekends and late nights. She kept in touch with classmates in Biostatistics to follow up on coursework and ensure that she did not fall behind. At the same time, colleagues in the data science program supported her with projects and helped her navigate a field that was different from her academic training.
At home, her sister also played an important role by helping with household responsibilities, giving Awino more time to concentrate on her studies and training. But maintaining both paths came at a cost.
As her academic and professional commitments increased, her social life became increasingly limited. She lost friendships and had less time to interact with people outside her studies and work. There were moments when the pressure became overwhelming. The long hours, exhaustion and feeling of losing friends made her question whether she could continue juggling everything. Yet, rather than giving up, she relied on self-discipline, time management and a commitment to avoiding procrastination.
An important opportunity came through her fellow student, Matthew Shem, who connected her to the corporate training space. The connection gave Awino an opportunity to put her growing data science knowledge into practice and marked the beginning of her journey in corporate training.
Following her third-year, second-semester attachment, Awino went on to spend a year working in corporate training, gaining experience with Skills for Africa, Impact for Skills and Training CRED. She has trained international audiences while continuing to build her skills in artificial intelligence, data science and machine learning. The experience has also expanded her professional network, allowing her to meet people and build connections in an industry outside the traditional path associated with her undergraduate degree.
The work also provided her with an additional source of income. Through the training opportunities, Awino earned money that helped her meet her personal needs while pursuing her studies. For her, the experience therefore offered more than professional exposure, it gave her an opportunity to become more financially independent while still at university.
For Awino, the value of the journey extends beyond the certificates she has earned. She now leaves JKUAT with two significant achievements: a First-Class Honours degree in Biostatistics and a Data Science certificate. More importantly, she leaves with a broader understanding of what is possible when one is willing to learn beyond the classroom.
She credits JKUAT for providing opportunities that helped shape this journey, particularly the Data Science short course, hackathons and courses offered through JHUB. She also acknowledges the influence of Dr. Lawrence Nderu, Founder of JHUB and Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Computing, and Dr. Edward Richard, a lecturer in COPAS, as among the people who contributed to her growth.
“The friends, classmates and lecturers who supported me made a big difference,” she reflects. Looking back, Awino says there is one thing she would have done differently, she would have started her data science journey earlier and spent more time upskilling in technology.
Now, her ambitions stretch even further. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and hopes to secure a scholarship while continuing with corporate training. In the long term, she dreams of establishing her own organization that will create opportunities for young people who, like her, are ambitious and eager to grow.
Her journey has taught her that university can be a starting point rather than a destination. To students who have ideas but are hesitant to act on them, she offers a simple message, “put your ideas into practice, don’t procrastinate. Do what you set your mind to, don’t give up and follow your dream.”
For Awino, graduation is therefore more than the culmination of years of study. It is proof that she could pursue one path academically while building another professionally, and make both work.
Her story is a reminder that a degree does not have to define the limits of a graduate’s future. Sometimes, the most important opportunities begin when a student becomes curious enough to step beyond what they already know.
