For almost a decade, Kendall Eugene, more popularly known as “Scady dotP” put off pursuing a university degree. When he finally took the leap, it helped him secure the career move he had been working towards.
“If I did not have the degree, I would not be an information officer,” he said, a conviction shaped by years in journalism and a deliberate plan to advance his career.
Now an Information Officer at the Government Information Service (GIS), Eugene credits his MBA in Leadership and Innovation from Edinburgh Napier University with helping him turn that ambition into an opportunity.
But the decision to enrol did not come quickly.
For roughly a decade, he had seen the university’s advertisements in newspapers and online. Each time, he considered further study. Each time, he held back.
His background was in journalism, and he initially wanted a programme directly connected to that field. When he did not find what he was looking for, he left the idea alone.
Eventually, he began considering a different route.
With previous studies in journalism and media at Monroe College, now Monroe University, Eugene wanted a qualification that would complement his experience while preparing him for greater responsibility.
A conversation with an adviser named Maria helped him decide. Her honesty about his options, he recalled, gave him the confidence to proceed with the MBA.
Eugene enrolled in 2023, studying entirely online while continuing to work. The flexibility made it possible to fit education around his responsibilities, but keeping up required discipline.
There were moments when he questioned what he had taken on.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say, off and on, I felt like, ‘Why did I go and do that to myself?’” he recalled.
His response was to establish a routine: two hours of study after work each day, followed by longer sessions on Saturdays and Sundays. On weekends, Rituals became his study spot, sometimes for the entire day.
“When you’re studying online, you basically are on your own time, except when we have classes,” he explained.
Without a proper timetable to manage work and coursework, he warned, “you will feel it.”
There were personal sacrifices too.
Eugene recalled driving to study on Carnival Monday while revellers headed towards the celebrations. For someone with strong interests in entertainment and Saint Lucian culture, missing out was difficult. But completing the degree meant giving his studies priority.
The qualification formed part of a five-year career plan.
Having worked in radio and served as editor of YO! Magazine, Eugene already had experience leading a department. Still, he wanted to advance further and had long been drawn to government broadcasting.
He enjoyed listening to Government Notebook and watching GIS productions. When an opportunity arose to join the service, he took it. His MBA studies began around the same period.
As he explored opportunities for advancement, he received a clear message: a degree would be necessary for positions that interested him.
Completing the qualification therefore became more than a personal milestone. It was a practical step towards becoming eligible for the work he wanted to do.
After receiving confirmation that he had passed his courses, Eugene informed his director. He recalled being told he would be acting as an information officer—a breakthrough he directly associates with earning the qualification.
“I can honestly say it’s because I got the degree that I am currently in the position that I’m in right now,” he said.
Alongside his own discipline, Eugene credits support from lecturers with helping him through the programme. When he missed a class or needed clarification after listening to a recording, he could reach out for assistance.
“They were just an email away,” he said.
He particularly remembered the welcoming approach of a lecturer named Ron during his Leadership, Learning and Development course. At a point when he felt unsure about what he had taken on, that experience helped him settle into academic life.
Now considering doctoral study, Eugene encourages other working professionals to research their options, choose a programme that matches their interests and goals, and commit to the work.
“Believe in yourself, be patient as well. Nothing comes in a hurry,” he said.
He also urges young journalists to pursue qualifications that can strengthen their experience and improve their prospects for advancement.
For Eugene, the degree’s value is reflected in the opportunity it helped him access. His lingering question is what might have happened had he started sooner.
“Had I listened to the inner voice earlier, probably more doors would have been opened by now.”
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