Returning to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) to complete his studies in 2020, Russell Magun finally graduated from the School of Business and Public Policy this week after leaving school whilst doing his second year of studies back in 2019. Magun shared moments in his journey of struggles and persistence before attaining his Bachelor’s degree and how he came about in successfully achieving his goals despite challenges. He said that he was excluded from school in 2019 because he was not performing well due to personal issues back at home that distracted him most of the time. “It was a month after I left that I had applied for the NAUFM walk in auditions at PNGFM Limited in which I got the job working as a radio personality for a couple of months.” Whilst working as a radio personality, Magun recalled that he decided to go back to school to complete his education where he had left off. “It was in 2020 that I resumed school and from there did my second year of studies again.” After laying off from school for a while and resuming studies, Magun stated that it was a bit difficult adjusting to school, especially when most of his peers had moved ahead of him and others already graduated. Being that, he expressed how stressful it was for him at times both at school and at home especially when he was being taken care of by his mother who was the breadwinner of the family. “With encounters I faced, I managed to find a job in 2021 at Club Regal where I worked and went to school at the same time and at present, am still working there.” Magun also added that he became a permanent employee with Club Regal in 2022.” Magun added that he also had to work to support his younger brother who is now doing his first year at the UPNG School of Law. Looking back, Magun shared moments in his life of things that challenged him and things that inspired him and everything he has gone through, motivated him to accept and move on to continue in his career pathway. “Despite the drama and hurdles I did face, I can say, it’s not too hard to overcome it as long as you don’t take things too personally but to stay committed and faithful in whatever you do and to always stay true to yourself.”