Mum and housewife Vanie Kalapan had her heart set on gaining a degree in accounting and finance, and moving into the jobs market. But when she fell pregnant shortly after enrolling at GSM London’s Greenford campus, she was convinced she would have to leave her course and her career dreams.
But thanks to the support from her husband, family, friends, and some of her lecturers and staff, Vanie graduated in 2017, and has been mulling over job offers in accounting ever since. She recently came back to GSM London’s campus, proudly cuddling her 18-month daughter Harrini with a simple message to other mums…
“Many of us are not brave enough to take the initiative after having kids as we assume that institutions will not be flexible,” she said. “But don’t write off the opportunity, you may be pleasantly surprised.”
Vanie had the full backing of her husband, who initially motivated her to start the course. She cites her lecturers Fred Agyemang and Andrew McKenzie as being instrumental in supporting her, as well as members from Student Hub and the Finance department. “I can proudly say that without the kind help and motivation of the staff members at GSM
London, I would not have been able to achieve my goal,” she said. “Luckily for me, my daughter was born two days after the semester finished so I was able to attend classes without a break in studies,” she said.
Inspired by her positive experience at the institution and the support she gained from friends and her sons once her daughter was born, Vanie has helped to motivate other mums to study. “I shared that experience with my friends and one of them, Sherine, was very eager to join and do a degree there. Now she is following the same accounting and finance degree programme I did and I hope in future more friends of mine will join the institution.”
Vanie is keen to start a full-time career in finance but because her daughter is too young, she is working part time in her chosen profession.
“I have lots of work opportunities in Accounting and Finance and I hope I can find a better job soon,” she said.
