After financial challenges delayed her initial dream of becoming an ACCA Certified Accountant, Toshawna found a new passion for marketing and enrolled with ABE. Juggling marriage and motherhood Toshawna says ABE’s flexible, respected programmes helped her develop vital skills in communication, leadership, and customer service. Now, she is looking to progress to a Business Administration degree at the University of Bedfordshire, with ambitions to run a family business consultancy with her husband. Read her full story below:
''My name is Toshawna Jacobis from Guyana. I am the eldest of seven children. I grew up in a nuclear family. My parents have always encouraged me and my siblings to challenge each other academically. As a result, the surname Jacobis is a household name when it comes to academic excellence in our hometown, Linden. Therefore, I have added to our legacy by achieving this accolade.
Initially, my ambition was to become a Certified Accountant with ACCA qualifications. However, because of financial restraints, after completing High School, I was not able to further my studies. I began working in January 2016 at a prestigious Financial Institution, The New Building Society Ltd, while still enrolled in High School. I was granted time off to write my CAPE examinations. For the next two years, I focused on my job and spiritual life. Then I began studying for ACCA, but I never actually wrote any exams. It was not until 2021, after the pandemic, that I decided to upgrade my resume.
At this time, I developed a new passion for marketing, so I enrolled to study with ABE at the Accountancy Training Centre for a Diploma in Business Management and Marketing. Initially, I only pursued one unit, Employability Self-Development, to get a feel of it since it had been five years since I last studied. I found it was not challenging, so I decided to continue my studies confidently. I completed Level 4 and moved to a new learning institution, Nations School of Business and Management. I started and completed level 5 there with the help of my engaging and intellectual lecturers. Had it not been for this decision, I probably would not have achieved this Top Paper Award. Noteworthy, my employer was very supportive of my studies. I was reimbursed for all examination fees because I was successful in my studies. That definitely served as a motivating factor to complete my studies.
I chose to study with ABE because I learnt that ABE offers international recognised qualifications. As such, it was the perfect way for me to update my resume and make myself more employable. Furthermore, the qualifications offered by ABE would make me eligible for entry into many universities. The University of Bedfordshire is one that I had in mind to later attend. Additionally, due to COVID-19, ABE classes were scheduled online at this time. So, it was an ideal time for me to study because living in Linden means 2 hours travelling to in-person classes and then another 2 hours to return home.
I studied my ABE course at Accountancy Training Centre for Level 4, then the Nations School of Business and Management for Level 5.
ABE is highly respected in my country, and it is for this reason that my employer reimburses employees for examination fees as a means to encourage studies with ABE.
My immediate plan after completing my ABE qualification is to progress to a university degree, and I have already applied to The University of Bedfordshire to complete my degree in Business Administration.
The best thing about studying with ABE is that it is flexible. When I started my studies, I was single and living with my parents, which meant I did not have many responsibilities. However, over the course of my studies, I got married and had a child. Nonetheless, I never stopped studying. Even while I was battling PPD, I was able to persevere with my studies by reducing the number of units I studied at the time.
From the first unit I studied ESD, I have developed skills such as better communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership and adaptability. Emotional intelligence, teamwork work and marketing are also skills I have gained while studying with ABE. The nature of my job entails interacting with customers from different walks of life, varying from low IQ to those with job titles such as judges, doctors and engineers. Therefore, the skills I have gained while studying with ABE allow me to be effective at making customers feel comfortable doing business with the company I work for. Moreover, I cooperate well with my work colleagues to achieve goals in the branch office.
My tip for a successful study is to find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Consistency is key. Over the years, I have been successful in my studies by waking up at 1 am. Although it was always a struggle to leave a cosy bed at that time, the results were always worth it. Studying from 1 am to 4 am is productive because the environment is quiet and has little to no distractions. It is also important to live a balanced life; never forsake your family and god.
After completing my Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Bedfordshire, I will also study for my Masters in Business Administration. Moreover, I would partner with my husband, who would be an ACCA Certified Accountant and offer business consultancy services. The services would include, but are not limited to preparation of financial statements, income tax, business plans and proposal preparations, preparation of NIS Compliance and GRA Compliance.''