Albertus Kariko, MS in Management, Strategy and Leadership
Last Updated March 7, 2023
Albertus Kariko has come a long way to get to where he is today. Literally. There are 7,826 miles between his hometown of Windhoek, Namibia and East Lansing, Michigan, which is home to Michigan State University.
Kariko has also come a long way figuratively, earning his Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership 100% online while managing a full-time job and raising a family. His motivation was career advancement – specifically.
We spoke with the Spartan about his background and what his degree means for his future.
Q. Tell us about your background.
After graduating high school in Windhoek, Namibia, I was hired as an apprentice at AutoHaus Windhoek, a local Volkswagen Dealership. After three years of practical and theoretical training, I became a Certified Automotive Technician. With these newly acquired skills, I was recruited and hired by Barden International, and given the opportunity to come to the U.S. I was sent to Delta College in Saginaw, Michigan to specialize in the General Motors brand at their General Motors training facilities.
I eventually returned to Windhoek and worked for several years as a Master Technician. Then, I was transferred to the Barden International Corporate office in Detroit, Michigan, where I worked as a liaison for our U.S and Southern Africa Head office. I used this opportunity to enroll at the local community college and completed my associate’s degree in general studies. I transferred to Michigan State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering Sciences and graduated in 2006.
Upon graduation, I was hired as a Management Leadership Development Program trainee at Saint-Gobain. After completing the program, I was appointed a full-time position as Manager of Plant Engineering at the Seattle plant. During my personal development discussions with senior leadership, I expressed my interest in becoming an Operations Manager. My mentor encouraged me to pursue a graduate degree and, after several months of evaluating numerous programs, I concluded MSU was the best option for my professional growth.
Q. What were the most important factors in your decision to choose MSU?
I completed my undergraduate degree at MSU and the online program provided me with the best opportunities to develop and enhance my current carrier aspirations.
Q. How will your MSU degree make a difference in your career?
Obtaining the degree has provided me the opportunity to be promoted to Operations Manager. The degree has also provided me with the knowledge, skills, and ability to flourish as a leader in the organization.
Q. What surprised you most about taking an online program?
My ability to manage a full-time job, raise a 3-year-old boy and still make time for leisure.
Q. What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was MGT 863 Negotiations. I enjoyed the interactions with other students and setting up meetings to negotiate. The best takeaway was that I was selected to be a part of the negotiations team, which successfully negotiated two labor contracts with the local unions at our facility.
Q. What was your most valuable takeaway from the program?
The most valuable takeaway is how applicable the material is in my day-to-day operations of managing a multicultural team. The program provided valuable tools that I tested weekly with favorable outcomes. I would learn material and put it to the test to improve my management and leadership traits at the same time.
Q. What advice would you give other students who are considering enrolling in the program?
My advice for other students would be to determine what your career goals are and how they compare with your organization’s values.
Q. Who has been your support system?
My parents never graduated from middle school, but through their efforts, made it possible for you to read my story today. They sacrificed everything for us to ensure their six children became contributing members to society. There were also other people who believed in my abilities and helped me along this journey, and I will always be appreciative of their generosity.
My wife, who is my soulmate and confidante, along with our children have been my greatest supporters during this journey as well. My wife deserves all the credit. She continually inspired me to do more and believed in my abilities to succeed.
Q. Who or what inspires you to succeed?
First and foremost, my wife. I also wanted to be a role model for my four children (three daughters ages 23, 22 and 21, and my now five-year-old son) and set an example to demonstrate that victory is possible if you are determined to succeed.
Q. What is one fun fact about you?
I enjoy spending time with my family and cooking “potjie” on Sundays, which is a dish traditionally cooked in a round, cast iron, three-legged pot.
