Know what you want to do with your degree, while you are studying.

In what way does your qualification relate to your work, whether directly or indirectly?

I'm in the data analytics industry now, and maths has taught me problem-solving, analytical and attention to detail skills. When I do my coding, I tap into all those skills.

What are the key skills that have been useful in your career journey so far?

• Problem-solving
• Analytical
• Attention to details

What are your day-to-day activities?

• Provide systems support services to the The Foschini Group HR community
• Understanding the business environment and provide consulting services to users to determine optimal solutions
• Investigations, problem solving and root cause analysis
• Management of incidents, problems, minor changes and/or service requests
• Troubleshooting and debugging of technical solutions
• Gather, understand and document business requirements
• Develop reports and extracts
• Code, test and implement changes using SAS and SQL.

Do you have any advice for a new graduate entering the world of work (e.g. how to develop skills while at university ?)

Know what you want to do with your degree, while you are still studying.
Find out what do people do with your degree in the industry and which skills do they use.
Learn those skills while you are still at Varsity, so that you can be better prepared for the industry.
It is always good to talk to people who are in the industry and have done the same degree as you.

How did your extra-curricular involvement while at UCT add value (transferable skills) to what you offer the world of work?

They taught me socialisation skills with strangers.