6 minute read
Alumni focus
CAREER UPDATE caught up with some of our alumni, asking them to recall their fondest campus memories, as well as off ering advice on launching your job search.
Nadia Ganie CA(SA) Audit Senior, Quality and Risk Management - Mazars BCom Accounting and PGDA, 2011-2016
What are your fondest memories of UWC? My fondest memory is the weekly return on Sunday evenings to the campus residence. My friends and I would meet up in one of our rooms and share treats and have a good laugh before the busy week of studying. How do your studies relate to your work? I provide technical support and training to the audit teams that I learned and developed during my studies and journey to becoming a CA(SA). Best advice someone gave you about the job search Dedicate yourself to your studies, have fun and enjoy your student life. Maintain a work-life balance to navigate the stressful times. Constantly remind yourself that the road is always under construction. Don’t stop learning and developing.
Rayaan Pandy Trainee Accountant, 3rd year - Mazars BCom Accounting, 2016
What are your fondest memories of UWC? My involvement in the Muslim Student Association and tutoring remain with me. The interactions and discussions with diverse people shaped the person I am today.
How do your studies relate to your work? There is a direct link. Being in the audit environment, my studies equipped me to understand what we set out to achieve with each audit. It’s not only about the numbers but everything you learn from all subjects. Trust me.
Best advice someone gave you about the job search Maintain a consistent work ethic and routine; it alleviates stress, cramming and fatigue. Believe in yourself. The more you interact, engage, debate and get involved in the co-curricular space, the more you grow.
Anthea Scholtz, CA(SA) Partner, Africa Tax & Legal - Deloitte & Touche B Com Honours (Accounting), 1990 - 1993
What is your fondest memory of UWC? Playing klawerjas in the cafeteria, chilling on the grass with friends, talking about everything and nothing. On a serious note, my best memory of UWC was the passion and energy of the students and the privilege to see the transformative power of education. It was an inspiring and humbling experience to be surrounded by students who were determined to succeed against all odds. I am grateful to UWC for the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in our families.
How do your studies relate to your work? My studies helped shape my character and aversions, and opened a world of opportunities.
Best advice someone gave you regarding your job search? My Dad taught me to be fearless, fi gure out what I want in life and not to fear failure.
Advice to students • Understand your purpose in life.
Why do you get out of bed every morning to spend 8-10 hours (sometimes more) working? Once you fi nd the alignment between your purpose and that of your employer, the how and what you do at work become easier. • Don’t doubt yourself - take risks when opportunities arise. • Don’t be an ‘echo chamber’. If you don’t speak out others will fi ll the void. • Start building a ‘just in case fund’ from your fi rst paycheck. • Read. Read. Read. It allows you to borrow the minds of others. • Proactively manage your career; it is not always linear. Sometimes you go sideways, then backward, and that’s fi ne - as long as you are growing. Focus on a growth-based career, rather than a promotionsbased career. • Find a mentor to help navigate the world of work.
Dr Firdous Khan Director: Effi cacy and Research - Pearson South Africa PhD Biotechnology, 2015
What is your fondest memory of UWC? There are so many. My role in the Student Orientation Programme as a Peer Facilitator and then Student Faculty Coordinator enabled me to discover my latent qualities. This experience forced me to extend my boundaries. My participation in the UWC Apprentice Case-Study Challenge to develop new products was an amazing experience. I led the team who won the competition.
How do your studies relate to your work? Academic research was a big component of my studies. I now head up the Research Department where I infl uence the development of educational products by ensuring that the development is informed by rigorous research. My studies prepared me to think critically and conduct socially relevant research.
Best advice someone gave you regarding your job search? The best advice was to become educated; not certifi cated. My dad always told me to educate myself and that the skills will be transferable wherever I go.
Uzair Adams Director – ProBono.org LLB, 2008 – 2011
What is your fondest memory of UWC? Grabbing a morning coff ee from the friendly lady in the A-Block and sharing a Gatsby from the Barn or Joe Spaza with friends while revising for a test - these interactions contributed to a rich university experience.
How do your studies relate to your work? The coursework provided me with a theoretical foundation. I developed soft skills including time management, meeting tight deadlines, work-life balance, confl ict resolution, teamwork and eff ective communication. Discussions with peers honed my overall university experience.
Share some advice with students. Life after university is a rock-strewn journey of self-discovery in fi nding the real you. ? Behind the mask of pretence yearning to fi t into the mould of societal norms and standards. ? Who embraces diversity and realises what makes you who you are and sets you apart from the rest. ? Who fi nds strength in your roots and is not defi ned by your life circumstances. ? Who dares to challenge conformism and complacency. ? Who strives to be a better version of yourself. CU
