When I Grow Up 2018
Isn’t it exciting to think about all the possible career paths you can follow?
The decision of what you will do upon finishing school can be very daunting. Talking to people in the various fields helps a lot – to find out what exactly they do for a living, how they got into their specific profession, and what their average day looks like. We’ve made it a little bit easier for you! Check out our ‘What i want to be when I grow up’ feature, featuring a number of local professionals who have shared their career advice with us. Navigate between the various professions below to find out more…
Neeraj Surujhlal is an Optometrist at Value Specs
We asked Neeraj to describe his profession
Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat and manage disorders of the visual system, eye diseases and injuries. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed.
What does it take to be successful in this career?
It takes dedication and hard work. You need to have a passion for your patients to establish a good rapport with them.
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
If you’re interested in becoming an optometrist, you’ll first need to complete a four-year Bachelor’s programme, preferably in a relevant or related field such as biology, chemistry or physiology. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to apply for optometry programmes, which are rather competitive.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing bright smiles makes me happy. I love interacting with my patients and meeting people of
all walks of life on a daily basis.
What advice can you give to students who are interested in pursuing your profession?
If you work hard, you will reap the rewards.
035 789 8010
Karen Durant, is a Crèche Teacher at Educare Centre
We asked Karen to describe her profession
Being a teacher is a job that requires patience and dedication. We are shaping children’s minds and are the foundation of their future.
What does it take to be successful in this career?
To be successful, you need to be dedicated and have a passion for children. You need to be observant and see each child, their moods and needs.
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
To be a crèche teacher, you need to have matric and experience working with young children.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
When a child struggles to understand the work, and you explain it over and over, finally the eyes shine and he/she smiles with understanding.
What advice can you give to students who are interested in pursuing your profession?
Teaching is not about how much you earn, it is about being dedicated to the children in your care. You must love children and be creative.
073 304 4997
Darren Staats is the Dealer Principal at SMG North Coast
We asked Darren to describe his profession
I manage a BMW dealership, which consists of retail sales on new and used BMW cars and motorbikes. We have a fully equipped after sales department, which consists of a state-of-the-art workshop, fully stocked parts department and a BMW approved repair centre (panel beating).
What does it take to be successful in this career?
Passion. Passion for my team of people, passion for both SMG and the BMW brand and, most of all, passion for our customers.
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
I like to think that I am qualified in life. I obviously studied hard through school to get my matric. I started to work from the age of 13 on weekends and after school to save money, made sure I got my driver’s licence when I turned 18 and put myself through an IMM (market management course) after matric.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Getting to work and grow with my team at SMG North Coast, being able to contribute and make a difference within our local community and servicing and fulfilling our customers’ every motoring need.
What advice can you give to students who are interested in pursuing your profession?
Be passionate, work hard, be reliable, be honest and be capable. If you succeed in achieving these, anything is possible.
035 426 0020
Lourise du Toit is a Business Owner and entrepreneur 
We asked Lourise to describe your profession
I started Coe’Lanie Garden Service on a tiny budget a couple of years ago. My company has grown tremendously and today I employ about 60 people and have contracts with many of Richard’s Bay’s big industries. I also own the Coe’Lanie Nursery in Meerensee.
What does it take to be successful in this career?
We pray the prayer of Jabez every morning before we start work, and that is why the Lord has blessed my business. Dream big, work hard and have faith in God. Anything is possible if you believe – and sometimes you have to give in order to receive.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The love and passion I have for gardening is my joy – but my motivator is the fact that I can financially uplift and support my staff and their families.
035 789 1088
Dr Naeema Sheik is a Paediatrician at Melomed Private Hospital
We asked Naeema to describe her profession
Paediatrics is a branch of medicine involved in the health and medical care of infants, children and adolescents.
Educational requirements?
One needs to complete the six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBChB) to become a medical doctor. This is followed by a two-year internship training programme and one year of community service at a public health facility.
Thereafter, one does the four-year postgraduate Masters degree in paediatrics while working simultaneously at a public training hospital and completing an MMed. Successful completion of this confers upon one the status of a Specialist Paediatrician.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love seeing the transformation of the clinical condition of the children I treat. They come in sick, irritable and lethargic and leave feeling happy, playful and invigorated.
035 7915503
René Bekker is a Professional Master Practitioner in Real Estate
We asked René to describe her profession
Real estate is the marketing of land and the structure thereon, generally referred to as residential or commercial properties for sale.
What does it take to be successful in this career?
You have to be passionate about real estate, and eager to learn and grow more from your daily experiences, whether it’s a good or a bad day!
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
PDE4 as a Full Status Agent (PPRE) and PDE5 as Master Practitioner in Real Estate (MPRE) and the necessary experience as required by the EAAB (Estate Agents Affairs Board).
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
When we hand over a property to the new home owner; or assist someone really struggling to sell or purchase a property.
What advice can you give to students?
Become an expert in your area. Having someone as a mentor could be a great advantage to any student pursuing a specific career.
083 254 5540
Vanessa Janse van Rensburg is the Principal of St Catherine’s School
We asked Vanessa what it takes to be successful in this career?
You need to be 100% dedicated to your job. You need to be loyal and have a passion for children, education and people.
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
You need to have a teaching qualification, as well as teaching and managerial experience.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Smiling (often toothless) faces, elegant young ladies and the growth of our children are the most rewarding parts of my job.
Being in this position for the last eight years has allowed me to interact with a variety of different people and build friendships.
What advice can you give to students who are interested in pursuing your profession?
I believe that teaching is the most rewarding job available. You need to be prepared to give up a part of your life and definitely a piece of your heart.
You need to be passionate and work hard to ensure that you become the best that you can be. This will result in the children you teach being the best that they can be.
035 772 3041
Kritish Timakia is a Neurosurgeon in a private practice
We asked Kritish to describe his profession
Neurosurgery involves the care of diseases, degeneration and injuries that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, skull and spinal column.
What does it take to be successful in this career?
Dedication to patient care, a willingness to learn new things and the ability to be self-critical and be criticised. The hours during training are long and as the discipline is a limited one countrywide, there is a never ending list of patients who need assistance and care. A personal support system is paramount.
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
After completing a medical degree (MBChB), you need to obtain the ATLS (trauma management course accreditation) prior to completing the first part of the college of surgeons examination. With these, and at least a year of surgical experience, you can apply to commence registrar training. During these four years you need to complete the remaining two college examinations, the last being an invitational examination. Finally, during this period you need to complete your Master’s degree.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I get the most enjoyment from being with my patients and interacting with my colleagues. Seeing a patient from the time of first contact until the successful management of their condition is all the reward I am grateful for.
What advice do you have for aspirant neurosurgeons?
Make sure you are passionate about what you want to pursue. Spend some time with a doctor to get an understanding of the type of responsibilities that are needed in the health profession. Hard work never ends – in school, work or studies. In neurosurgery and the health profession, a foundation of discipline and responsibility is paramount.
Dr Kritish Timakia
MBChB [UCT] – FCneurosurgSA – MMED [UKZN]
NEUROSURGEON
PRACTICE NO – 0708720
Theresa Botha is a Graphic Designer at the Zululand Observer
We asked Theresa to describe her profession
Graphic design is art with a purpose. It involves a creative and systematic plan to solve a problem or achieve certain objectives, with the use of images, symbols or even words. It is visual communication and the aesthetic expression of concepts and ideas using various graphic elements and tools.
What does it take to be successful in this career?
Communication, curiosity, passion, drive, openness, ability to take criticism, problem solving, self-doubt, and patience.
What do you have to study to qualify for this career?
Bachelor degree programmes in graphic arts typically take four years to complete and are comprised of 120–180 credit hours of classes, which are divided into general education, core studies in graphic design, and electives.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Designers get to express their creativity on a regular basis—it’s the essence of the job! You’ve got plenty of creative ideas and concepts you’d like to experiment with, and this job provides the opportunity to do so. While your clients’ needs will likely still keep some of your more extravagant creative impulses in check, it’s still satisfying to create something visually appealing and unique to you.
What advice can you give to students who are interested in pursuing your profession?
While there are exceptions, your work as a graphic designer is less about your artistic preference, and more about giving your clients what they ask for. You are designing for clients, not yourself. As such, your designs might not be the coolest looking designs out there. Learn how to write, and write well. You’ll be expected to write copy from time to time. Don’t carry the misconception that making it as a graphic designer means you can work when and how you want to. When you are crunched on a project, the only thing that matters is meeting that deadline.
035 799 0500
