1. INTRODUCTION
8M Construction Digest interviewed Sheila Louisa Nambuya, a 4th-year student of architecture at Makerere University, 2023. One of the objectives was to find out, if her choice of architecture, as a future career, was based on knowledge about different careers, abilities, capabilities or interests in architecture. The other objective was to share her testimony with other students of secondary schools, to assist them in choosing a good career path.
2. SHEILA LOUISA NAMBUYA’S TESTIMONY
Once upon a time, at Tororo Girls School, in a land of pencils and textbooks, there was a spunky 13-year-old prodigy named Sheila Louisa Nambuya. Sheila was your typical teenage whirlwind, navigating the chaotic realm of senior one. One day, the class teacher, Mrs. Ssenyoga sternly handed an art assignment, as follows:
- “Take off your shoes, and place them somewhere!” And the small young girls quickly obeyed, with squicky anxious noises;
- “With a pencil and rubber, draw your shoe!” was the last command.
Unbeknownst to Sheila, she was about to unveil her hidden artistic superpower. Armed with a piece of paper and a pencil, she dove headfirst into the challenge. The classroom was buzzing with creative fervour as everyone sketched away. But little did they know, Sheila’s shoe drawing was about to steal the spotlight.
As her pencil pirouetted across the page, it conjured a masterpiece—a true-to-life shoe, complete with its quirks, imperfections, and all the little details that made it uniquely hers. Students around her couldn’t believe their eyes. They flocked to her like bees to honey, marvelling at her uncanny ability to bring her shoe to life on paper. The shoe on the window seal was a replica of the shoe on paper!
The crowd grew, and even the teacher joined the jubilation. Sheila’s artistic flair was a showstopper, turning a mundane classroom task into a vibrant celebration of talent. It was a blast, leaving everyone in awe of her artistic prowess.
However, the plot thickened when it was time to choose subjects for higher secondary school. Sheila, a mathematical whiz, opted for the logical trio of mathematics, technical drawing, and economics. But economics felt like a dull drumbeat in her symphony of passions.
With a courageous heart, Sheila asked for a subject change, desperately seeking an addition that would ignite her spirit. Fate chimed in, presenting fine art as the only viable option. Without hesitation, she embraced the palette and brush, diving into the world of creativity.
Although she only had three terms instead of the usual four to conquer fine art, Sheila’s artistic talent shone through. She aced her subjects, including art. Meanwhile, whispers of her extraordinary combination of subjects reached the ears of those in the know. It turned out to be a combination tailor-made for an aspiring architect.
Makerere University soon beckoned, offering a prestigious seat to the budding architect. In her fourth year, Sheila reflected on her journey. With her newfound talent and passion for architecture, she had crafted a path that fit her like a perfectly designed blueprint.
“And I immensely enjoy my architecture,” Sheila chimed, a testament to how discovering one’s abilities can chart the course to a dream career. Sheila Louisa Nambuya’s story reminded us all that sometimes, the unexpected strokes of fate can paint the most beautiful portraits of our lives.
3. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
By a stroke of good luck through an insightful teacher, Sheila Louisa got to know that she had the ability, capability, and interest to study subjects at higher secondary school level, which were the best for architecture, as her future career.
Students should discover, as early as possible, their inborn skills, which can help them in choosing a good career path. Parents and teachers should assist the students.
We wish Sheila good luck in her pursuit of a career in architecture.