Your Name (optional): Jacqui Baumgardt
Male/female: Female
City: Durban
State/Province: Nat
Country: South Africa
Industry: Education
Job: Education Administrato
Community Service Organization: Home Schooling Advisory Services
Education:
Bachelor’s degree, teaching diploma, computer courses in dtp, spreadsheets and word processing packages, customer service course
Training/experience required (years, other jobs):
Work in an office environment, learn as much about the organization as possible and how it all fits together; understand interrelationships between departments; develop management and communication skills; read as much as possible around the field in which you work.
Explain what you do:
I am in charge of academic projections and graduation certificates. I have to advise parents and students on subject choices that meet the relevant criteria to earn a certificate. I have to then approve their choices in writing and finally will issue the certificate when the student has met all the requirements.
Why should kids choose your career path?
It is a very varied and interesting career. The skills I use now are very portable across jobs if I need to change jobs at any stage. Multi-skilling is very important in the modern career.
What would you recommend career wise and how should kids approach/develop their preparation for a working life?
Vision is important. Identify your talents and abilities early and work on those. Dare to dream! Take every opportunity that is presented even if is seems like a menial task – you will get good experience which will stand you in good stead later. Study hard at school and college and do the best you can. Don’t throw away opportunities for learning – life-long learning will keep you flexible and able to meet new challenges. Always have integrity – be accountable for what you do.
Lessons learned:If you started all over again what would you do differently?
I would not go into teaching as a career except if it was on the management side of education. I would develop my passion – which is actually for singing! I would make wiser choices! And yet nothing of my life can truly be said to have been a waste. One has to make the best of every situation.
A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you:
- What man can conceive and believe he can achieve!
- Dare to dream!
- Set goals and aim for them – if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time!
Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general:
Do not enter a career blindly. Find out all you can about it, the qualifications you need, where you can obtain those qualifications and the opportunities that are available. If possible, start your own business, as well!