“I once asked a candidate who had applied for a Master’s programme if he already had a Bachelor and his response was ‘ No! I am married with kids!’, that was a funny response, and I still laugh when I think about it today…”
Kabimbi Maliti, Student Adviser at the UNICAF Call Centre in Lusaka, Zambia
A UNICAF Student Adviser generally helps or guides applicants through the application process, from the point of their first enquiry, up until they become registered as students, with the partner university of their choice.
To be effective in this job, we need to think quickly, have confidence and excellent computer skills, and be ready to learn new things all the time. But above all we need to be good listeners; we must encourage every candidate to explain what they are looking for, what their future dreams are, how tight their time schedule is, how many commitments they have towards their families or jobs, so that we can guide them to the most appropriate choice of university and study programme offered through UNICAF.
I once asked a candidate, who had applied for a Master’s programme, if he already had a Bachelor and his response was ‘ No! I am married with kids!’, that was a funny response, and I still laugh when I think about it today. But I guess it’s just one of those instances when someone has not understood your question.
The best reward for me is informing an applicant that they have been accepted to study at the partner university of their choice; sharing their joy at the announcement of the good news is a priceless gift.
