First Jobs
OUR EXPERIENCES IN LIFE, ARE WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE TODAY
My journey to discovering my passion in the industry was an eclectic blend of exciting detours and valuable experiences. My professional exploration took me through a myriad of organisations, where I was privileged to learn from some of the best in the field.
Interestingly, my path also crossed with the world of cinema. I spent a few enjoyable days as an extra on the set of the acclaimed movie, Hotel Rwanda. A memorable brush with the silver screen that added a dash of glitz to my journey.
The bustling city of Johannesburg was my first professional playground. However, the call of a new opportunity eventually led me to the quieter, but no less exciting, Bloemfontein. Here, I delved into the development of a debtors management system, an initiative that ultimately caught the attention of Compuscan IT.
The acquisition by Compuscan IT marked yet another change in my path, as I found myself moving to the stunning city of Cape Town. This relocation underscored a consistent theme in my journey - my appetite for change. Far from daunting me, I find that change invigorates and excites me. My journey thus far is testament to this spirit of exploration and adaptation, and I look forward to embracing whatever changes the future may bring.
EMPLOYMENT BREAKDOWN
My academic journey began in the field of marketing. However, my affinity for technology, especially software products, soon led me to shift my focus. I transitioned into Microsoft's MCSD program, a decision that catalysed my entry into the professional sphere.
My first professional stint was with Crihan IT Consultants, where I developed diverse applications using Visual Basic. I also created enterprise reporting solutions for major clients, such as Afrox, South African Airlines, Anglo Gold, First Technology, and many more. During this period, I honed my skills in Crystal Reports. The lesson I gleaned from this experience was the importance of time management, especially when learning new technologies and striving to stay ahead of the curve.
Craving a fresh challenge, I ventured into the fintech space with a contract at Investec Bank. My role wasn't focused on developing solutions but on aiding the transition of the bank's emails from Groupwise to Outlook. Upon the completion of this project, family responsibilities called me to Bloemfontein.
In Bloemfontein, I landed an opportunity at the 4D Group. Although I lacked experience in Delphi development, I was eager to learn and offered to work pro bono initially to demonstrate my ability to quickly grasp the language. True to my word, I picked up Delphi in a week and delivered my first production code soon after.
The product I worked on, a robust debtors management system, piqued the interest of Compuscan IT. As the only developer willing to relocate to Cape Town, I found myself thrown into the deep end at the age of 22. My responsibilities spanned across various aspects of the product, from maintaining its competitive edge and training the sales team to ensuring its compliance with South Africa's pioneering credit act of 2007.
Each of these experiences has contributed to shaping me into the professional I am today. They've honed my ability to keep pace with the ever-evolving world of products and have equipped me with the agility to adapt and switch gears when necessary.