Age: 25
Where on the planet are you currently located: Cape Town, South Africa
So what exactly is your job and how did you go about to achieve that career path:
At the end of matric I decided to register for the Actuarial Science program at the University of Cape Town. I realised I had a love for accounting in my first year, and quickly changed degrees to a Business Science CA stream. I then stayed on to do a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and in the following year a Post-graduate diploma in Tax Law. In my first year of articles I was an academic trainee, lecturing accounts 2 and 4 at the University of Cape Town. I am now in my last year of articles at Deloitte, Cape Town. (FirstStep.me says: Cool stuff!)
What’s a typical working day for you: Sitting at a client auditing their annual financial statements. My days are interesting because I am constantly meeting new people and doing different things.
All jobs have challenges, what would you say are some of yours: Dealing with difficult clients, trying to exceed the expectations of seniors/managers/partners and managing the abilities of the staff working for me on my team.
Where do you see yourself in five years time: Working as an accounting lecturer at UCT.
Do you believe in studying as a key to success in all careers: I believe that everyone is different. Becoming the person you want to be, and doing what you want to do in your life requires three things and not one of them is intellectual ability: determination, motivation and self-discipline. It is important for someone to determine what their final goal is, and then apply these three things in order to achieve that goal. For many people, although not all, achieving the goal will require studying. (FirstStep.me says: Knowledge well beyond her years!)
Do you have any career role models that helped motivate your success: Professor Alex Watson at UCT.
Highlights of your career so far: Being placed in the top ten in the PPE Board Exam. Acting as the female representative for South Africa at the Summit of Africa’s Young Business Leaders held in Washington DC.
Funniest moment of your career so far: Too many to mention. And definitely too embarrassing to disclose.
Okay serious questions over:
If you weren’t an auditor you would be a teacher.
How many countries have you travelled through in the last 5 years: Five
What is your favourite movie, website and book:
Favourite movie: The notebook. Favourite website: Facebook.
Favourite book: Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coehlo and the Great Gatsby. (FirstStep.me stands up and applauds the Great Gatsby!)
If you could live on and have your very own planet what would you name it: Loneliness (FirstStep.me notes: Well that would be a first!)
Do you have any role models past and present who inspire you: My late brother, Ryan, is my most influential role model. He inspired me to achieve more in my life than I ever dreamed that I could.
What message do you have for the youth of the world:
See beyond your own needs and recognise the part that you can play in making the lives of your family, community, country, and the environment, better. Don’t become self-involved. There is always something to be positive about because you will always find someone worse off than you! Success comes from gratitude and from making the most of what you have been given.
