Information Systems student Claudine Umulisa is a Sample Manager at Abahizi Rwanda and a mother to two young boys.

When Akilah expanded our programs to include evening and weekend courses in 2017, we intended to enable more working women to pursue higher education while continuing their careers.

Information Systems student Claudine Umulisa seized the opportunity with both hands. During the day, Claudine, 26, works as a Sample Manager at Abahizi Rwanda, a workshop that produces high-end handbags and accessories for luxury brands, such as Kate Spade New York and Coach.

In the evenings and on weekends, she attends class at Akilah, and on top of it all, she is the mother of two young boys. According to Claudine, the key to balancing a full-time career with a demanding study program and motherhood is to stay focused and determined, and to not waste any time.

Aiming high

Claudine has worked at Abahizi Rwanda, which is 45 minutes outside of Kigali, since they first opened for production in 2014. She has been an integral part of the workshop’s impressive growth. Today, Abahizi is owned and run by their 220 employees, who are mostly women.

“At Abahizi Rwanda, I am in charge of sampling products for our clients. Their designers send us sketches and outlines of the final product. I manage a team of nine women, and my job is to make sure they understand what the client is requesting. We run different rounds of sampling to make sure that everything is perfect before the design goes into full production,” Claudine explains.

Claudine is responsible for ensuring that final products match the designer’s vision.

“Before joining Abahizi, I had my own shop, making beaded jewelry. Abahizi was looking for someone who had experience working with design and training women. Because I used to work with a women’s cooperative and was used to tracking materials, it was a good fit.”

Though Claudine had a full-time job, she remained committed to pursing higher education, preferably with Akilah, where the all-female learning environment appealed to her.

“One of my colleagues studied at Akilah, and I could see how she was different from other women. She is so confident, she knows how to talk in public, and she encouraged me to join. When Akilah introduced evening courses, I felt it was my time to do it, and I applied right away.”

“I’ve always wanted to join Akilah, but it never really fit with my schedule. I couldn’t leave my job. One of my colleagues studied at Akilah, and I could see how she was different from other women. She is so confident, she knows how to talk in public, and she encouraged me to join. When Akilah introduced evening courses, I felt it was my time to do it, and I applied right away,” Claudine says.

Tech and design

Claudine joined Akilah’s Information Systems program to build her professional skill set and take her career to a new level.

“I like working with computers and using different applications — I always wanted to know how to make my own. Akilah is helping me to get those skills. In the future, I want to start doing my own designs. If I have a tech background, it will be easier for me to join the technical design field with all the skills and program knowledge it requires.”

Claudine, right, spoke about her career to classmates, alongside Kate Spade New York representative Paige Enrique, left, and Akilah Global Advisory Council Member Taryn Bird, center.

After starting her Information Systems studies in August, Claudine says she has grown both in terms of technical skills and confidence.

“My confidence around computers has increased. At work, if a computer is not working, they come and find me to fix it. Now I know exactly what I am doing,” Claudine says.

“The way we study at Akilah, they push you to talk. You gain confidence talking to others, I can tell how my confidence is increasing. I used to be very shy. I used to hate meetings because I was worried they would ask me questions. I couldn’t voice any issues or problems, and sometimes I even used to start crying if I had to speak up. Now I can present to large groups of people and feel fine,” Claudine explains.

“When I am at work, I focus on work. Sometimes I do my Akilah homework on the bus or during lunch. When I get home, I take care of my kids, nothing else,” Claudine says.

Finding a balance

Not only is Claudine busy maintaining her job at Abahizi and her studies at Akilah, she is also raising her two sons. Balancing time between work, school and motherhood is a challenge that Claudine takes very seriously. It all comes down to focus, she says.

“I am determined to do this and make it work. This is my time to do this. It’s all about prioritizing. When I am at work, I focus on work. Sometimes I do my Akilah homework on the bus or during lunch. When I get home, I take care of my kids, nothing else.”

Leading other women

As a manager, Claudine applies the leadership lessons she learns at Akilah on the job.

“Some of the women I manage are much older than me. In our culture, having a boss who is younger than you is not common. I try to show them that I am on their level. We act as a team and do social things together. They don’t feel like I’m higher than them. When you are a leader, your job is to help others grow. I don’t have the technical skills that they have. I go to them for help too. I am learning a lot about being adaptable.”

Working and studying predominantly with other women is a bonus in Claudine’s eye — and she hopes to be a role model for other women by showing them that it’s possible to balance professional ambitions with motherhood.

“I hope that I am an inspiration to some of my fellow students. Some people think that once you have kids, you can’t keep developing, it’s the end for you. If someone can see me doing all of it, they will feel empowered and know that they can do the same.”