Mr. Seur John Saruni was appointed as a Graduate Trainee in Information Systems and Communication on 1^st July 2014. He is a graduate of Kenyatta University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication and Information Technology. He also attended the Kenyatta University CISCO networking academy where he acquired certification in the following; Network Fundamentals, Routing Protocols and Concepts, LAN Switching and Wireless, and Accessing the WAN.

Briefly share your experience of the graduate trainee program?

I have found the program to be very informative, fascinating and relevant especially to young graduates with no clear picture of which path to take in the broad telecommunication field. Interacting with highly qualified, motivated and experienced team of experts on a daily basis makes every work day a worthwhile learning experience. I would encourage other engineering and IT graduates to take advantage of this well-structured program to kick-start to their careers.

What are some of the new skills and lessons you have acquired during the program?

Apart from the invaluable experience in network setup, monitoring, systems configuration and administration, the Graduate Trainee program has molded me into a better team player, a virtue critical for the success of any organization. I also have the confidence to make sound decisions necessary for quality service delivery.

How will the skills you have acquired from the graduate trainee program impact your future career?

Through the experience gained from this program, I aspire to one day setup an ICT consultancy firm to offer advisory on best practices in network and bandwidth management. I also plan to explore options in data security, which is currently a major concern. I also aspire to champion the use of ICT in the fight against corruption which is the key challenge for national development.

Any other comments about the program?

The Program has transformed me from an inexperienced graduate to a disciplined, motivated, committed and hardworking team player with firsthand experience in data switching, routing, server setup, configuration, and system administration. These are vital skills in the fast-paced ICT world, and it gives me an edge over thousands of other graduates in this field.

In giving an opportunity to talented graduates from marginalized and disadvantaged communities, the KENET graduate trainee program upholds the virtue of inclusion thus impacting on national cohesion, integration, and equitable development.