The success of students at university is incumbent on a number of factors, including their grit, resilience and most importantly, the academic support they get from various structures within the university. As is with life, university is not devoid of challenges, which can hamper the academic success of students. The academic journey of various students differs and some may often find themselves in need of support to assist them in navigating the academic challenges they may experience. Zinhle Sibiya, a Faculty Student Advisor (FSA) in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, tells us about her fulfilling job, where she gets to assist students to achieve their academic goals and enable their success.

• What does your role as FSA entail?

My job entails following different approaches to guide students and assist them to navigate their academic journey, by equipping them with skills that will help them with a number of challenges they may experience, such as university adjustment, time management, study methods, exam preparation tips, goal setting and motivation, stress management and career exploration. My role also entails promoting holistic campus and student experience.

• What do you enjoy the most about your job?

 I enjoy almost every single aspect of the job – encouraging, supporting and advising students as they navigate their academic journey, discover new interests and tackle obstacles they may experience. Sharing these experiences with the students is fulfilling for me, as relationships are also built in the process. Witnessing a change from the initial session and the progress that students share after the intervention is always a heartwarming experience.

• What drives or motivates you?

Guiding and helping students meet or exceed their educational goals to optimise their university experiences is very rewarding for me, knowing that I played an important role in the success of our future professionals. What motivates me the most is when the students share the good news of their improved performance in a module they struggled with, or when they inform me that they have successfully completed their studies and will finally be graduating. Just seeing a smile on their face at the end of our session as compared to when they walked in just makes my day. They leave the office with a glimmer of hope.

• What lead you to your current role?

The most exciting thing for me is that this role falls within my field of study, which is Psychology. My current role actually started when I was still at university. I used to tutor academic skills for two years and was also a mentor. This was before Faculty Student Advising became a profession. When this role was introduced by the Department of Higher Education, I knew this was the path I wanted to follow, as it became natural to me to assist students to navigate their university journey holistically. I’m a first-generation child myself and being first generation comes with many challenges, but it becomes easier when you know there are always people within the University willing to assist you with your challenges as a student and provide academic support to you. So, when the role was introduced, I knew I was called, since I believe I also have first-hand experience of student struggles. But most importantly, I believe in the potential of students and helping them cultivate that potential through academic support.

• What are your future ambitions?

My current role has fueled my passion in youth development and I would like to continue working with young minds. As such, it is my dream to open an organisation or practice of my own that will focus on empowering previously disadvantage youth to view their life journey with a positive lens regardless of their background, situation or circumstance. I believe that there is always a way to positively turn your life around if you put your mind and effort to it. At times one needs to be selfish to progress in life and focus on your own goals.

• What has been your greatest career milestone?

When I started this role in 2014, I started as an assistant to the FSA/Psychologist in the Faculty. Due to my hard work and dedication I got promoted to be the Faculty Student Advisor.

• How have you navigated challenges and complexities that come with your role?

Debriefing with colleagues and EWP has really assisted me with dealing with the extremely challenging situations that students present. It can be very draining at times and as a person, I need to offload and ask for advice so I don’t internalise those challenges and also ensure that I guide the session to not only focus on personal or emotional challenges. At times students come with expectations of wanting their challenges to be fixed immediately and having to explain to them that this is a process, which will require more than one session, can be demotivating for some students, especially when they feel they are drowning in their academic journey. I think there are some students who really believe I have a magic wand to make all their challenges disappear in one go – if only it was possible.

• What are some of the key lessons you have learnt from your role and time in the Faculty?

I have learnt that the students are the role players and I have to value the profession of advising for the students’ greater good. I have also learnt that I need to respond to students in a caring, nurturing and supportive manner, as it goes a long way in supporting a student. It is my responsibility to create an environment that considers the needs and perspective of students, the Faculty and my colleagues.