Qualifications may serve as a display of the knowledge one possesses to perform in a given profession.

For some, though, skill and behaviour are equally valued qualities and are vital to excelling professionally.

Meet 35-year-old Ndafimana Nepela, a professional security guard.

But Nepela has now exchanged the outfit she wore for more than three years for a white coat.

What started as curiosity at Brakwater's MycoHab, where she worked as a security guard, led her into the Zero Emissions Research Initiative (ZERI) lab and the green house mushroom production as a trainee.

Nepela was keen to use her immediate environment as a training ground, and MycoHab management noticed.

At MycoHab, which uses encroaching bush species to grow gourmet mushrooms, she would closely observe and try her hand at activities there.

During her six months of guarding the premises, Nepela's managers eventually offered her the opportunity to train at UNAM-ZERI, all expenses paid.

"They were proud of me, saying, Wow, you know how to make mushrooms, and then I said yes. From there, they spoke to UNAM people and told them I needed more experience to grow mushrooms because I only knew a bit of the process until harvesting. And now I can make seeds from seeds, which I did not know before."

"I just want to go make my own projects like mushrooms and plants if I get some money and do all I need to do because I know nothing is impossible. I did not face any challenges here because I knew what I was here for. Since I got there, it's like God sent me to go do whatever they do."

Apart from mushroom cultivation, Nepela has plans to own a mushroom project, create employment, and take care of her family.

Expressing her gratitude to all involved in her journey, she has vowed to never take this opportunity for granted.