Fatherhood transforms lives in quiet yet powerful ways. It teaches patience, resilience, and perspective, traits that also define the best learners. For Raphael Wahome Matu, Donald J Herrick, and Ahmed Nasseraldin, the journey of upskilling through Great Learning was deeply interwoven with their roles as fathers. Amid personal loss, career shifts, and evolving ambitions, these fathers found strength not just in what they learned but in why they pursued it: for their families, and for the legacy they hoped to leave behind.
Raphael Wahome Matu: Leading with Resilience and Purpose
Turning Grief into Growth
For Raphael, an economist and college director from Nairobi, enrolling in the MIT IDSS Data Science and Machine Learning program felt like a leap. He was balancing multiple responsibilities, including fatherhood. Just as the program began, his mother was hospitalized. “The weight of watching her condition deteriorate while trying to keep up with assignments was overwhelming,” he shared. When she passed away, he considered stepping away. But drawing strength from his family and the support of his program manager, he persevered. “Her understanding and support during this difficult period meant everything to me,” he said.
His father’s advice echoed in his mind: “Son, the hardest battles are often the ones worth fighting.” That belief shaped his journey through grief and into growth.
Learning as a Father, for His Daughter
Balancing data science and parenting wasn’t easy. “Some evenings, I’d find myself explaining machine learning concepts to my daughter just to help myself understand them better,” he recalled. Surprisingly, her questions often led to breakthroughs. For Raphael, this wasn’t just academic achievement; it was a way to model resilience, perseverance, and the importance of lifelong learning for his daughter.
Ahmed Nasseraldin: Learning to Honour a Legacy
A Tribute to His Father
For Ahmed, based in Saudi Arabia, enrolling in the No Code AI program from MIT Professional Education was about more than professional growth; it was about honouring his late father’s legacy. “His passing was a pivotal moment in my life, one that solidified my resolve to embody the kind of father he was.” With two daughters of his own, Ahmed wanted to model discipline, ambition, and lifelong learning.
Balancing Learning and Family
“Balancing fatherhood with the demands of a rigorous program was undoubtedly challenging,” he reflected. There were late nights, early mornings, and moments of exhaustion. But with meticulous scheduling and support from his wife, Ahmed made it work. “The program’s modular design, interactive sessions, and dedicated mentorship made it possible,” he said. His favourite part? Hands-on projects and collaborative learning that brought the material to life.
Through the process, Ahmed’s daughters witnessed his dedication firsthand. “I approached my studies with a heightened sense of responsibility, knowing that my efforts were not just for myself, but for my family’s future.”
Donald J Herrick: Passing Down the Passion to Learn
A Seasoned Leader Embracing New Skills
After 36 years at AT&T, 22 of them in management, Donald enrolled in the Post Graduate Program in User Experience Design with UT Austin to continue growing. He had led teams, produced content, and headed UX research, but still believed in continuous improvement. That mindset, he said, was rooted in his father’s values. “My Dad (Terry) was actually my first unofficial boss,” he said. “He referred to his employees as co-workers, and that sense of respect shaped how I lead today.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Donald’s passion didn’t go unnoticed at home. “My kids are very excited for me… Not sure they’ve ever seen me this passionate about my job.” His learning journey even inspired his youngest to return to school, and influenced others in the family. His father’s words stayed with him: “Surround yourself with people that are better than you, smarter than you… and hustle. Always hustle.”
This belief in lifelong learning and improvement is now part of Donald’s legacy to his children.
A Legacy of Learning
To every father contemplating the leap into upskilling, these journeys offer encouragement. As Ahmed puts it, “Your dedication will not only open new doors for you but will also inspire the next generation to pursue their own dreams with passion and resilience.”
Donald reminds us, “You’re never too old to learn something new. And there is always something new to learn.”
And Raphael’s insight is perhaps the most universal: “The late nights are worth it. The struggle is temporary, but the knowledge and confidence you gain will serve both you and your family forever.”
Through their stories, these fathers show that progress is possible at any stage of life. With the right support, a willingness to grow, and the heart to keep going, the pursuit of learning becomes more than a personal goal and turns into a family legacy.
