Success isn’t a degree, but consistent efforts

Mamadou K. KEITA
ILLUMINATION
Published in
3 min readJul 16, 2023

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Photo by Ian Chen on Unsplash

In many communities, the definition of success is often equated with having a degree. This perception is often shaped by our parents and elders, who may have been taught that a degree is the key to a good job and a secure future. They always tell us that:

“If you have a degree, you will have a job, and therefore will become successful”

However, there is no one-size-fits-all definition of success. What matters most is that you are happy and fulfilled with your life. And while a degree can certainly be helpful in achieving your goals, it is not the only factor that determines success.

There are many people who have achieved great things without a degree. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs, artists, and athletes never even finished high school. What these individuals all have in common is that they were willing to work hard and never give up on their dreams.

Let me tell you the story of a friend, Mohamed Koloma, known as Moh Dollars

Moh and I went to the same secondary school. He was always struggling to get good grades, but he always managed to pass. Many teachers would call students like him “mediocre.”

What impressed me most about Moh was his burning desire to become an influencer. He often said to me:

“K, I just want to pass and focus on my projects.”

To many people, it seemed crazy to put projects ahead of school.

But Moh was determined. From his early days in high school, he worked tirelessly to create an online presence for himself. He networked with celebrities and built up a solid following. A few years later, he started his own marketing business and became one of the most influential young people in our country. He is followed by thousands of people and is constantly approached by celebrities for collaborations.

The most amazing thing about Moh’s story is that he is happy doing what he does. He didn’t need a degree to achieve success. He just needed to be consistent and focus on his goals.

Moh’s pictures, Before and After

As Moh, there are many famous people who have achieved success without a degree. Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, J.K. Rowling, etc. All of these people dropped out of school but worked consistently to achieve their goals.

My story is not to discourage anyone from pursuing a degree. I myself aspire to have a PhD. But I want to show that there are people who find it hard to succeed in the academic world, but they have so much talent that if we support them, they can achieve great things.

The real key to success is consistent effort. If you are willing to put in the hard work, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So don’t let anyone tell you that you need a degree to be successful. Just focus on your goals and never give up on your dreams.

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Mamadou K. KEITA
ILLUMINATION

Machine Learning Engineer & Researcher, Entrepreneur, Impact driven. "Technology and Innovation to serve People"