Isaac Jonas
What are your main responsibilities or activities in your current position?
Advises the Trust on fundraising strategy and program and impact investment activities. Provides advice to the organization on potential projects and partnerships.
How does your current work relate to your graduate degree?
Impact Africa Trust supports agricultural activities in Zimbabwe, with the prospect of expanding into other African countries in the future. As a consultant through KLI Africa Consulting I also apply the technical skills I learnt from my MFRE program.
What do you like and what do you find challenging about your current position?
Solving the dynamic problems society faces.
Is your current career path as you originally intended?
Yes.
What motivated you to pursue graduate work at UBC?
UBC is a globally diverse university that supports students from all backgrounds. I also got the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship which paid for all my educational expenses at UBC.
What did you enjoy the most about your time as a graduate student at UBC?
Open discussions and friendly conversations with UBC staff.
What key things did you do, or what attitudes or approaches did you have, that contributed to your success?
I worked with my classmate who was a complementary study buddy and also reached out beyond my racial divide! I also did campus-wide community engagements like the African Business Forum.
What is your best piece of advice for current graduate students preparing for their future careers?
Work smartly to get the best grades, but also use the time at UBC to network and access the huge resources across campus.
How did you find out about/obtain your current position?
Started as a graduating project for the MFRE.
What challenges did you face in your graduate degree, or in launching your career?
UBC is fast-paced environment. One has to start every term on a high note!
How are jobs normally posted and filled in your organization or industry?
Online advertisements and/or referrals.
