Q: Job title and in which department/research entity do you work?
A: I am currently a team leader for our HUB internship programme in the Department of Statistics. I am in the second year of my MSc in Advanced Data Analytics.

Q: What has been the highlight of your career?
A: The main highlight would be being selected as the first female team leader for the HUB internship programme.

Q: What inspires you?
A: My primary source of inspiration has to be my mother. She is truly a superwoman. She continuously motivates me and encourages me to be successful and improve in my past self. Beyond my mother, seeing and interacting with successful women and leaders in their industry is a huge source of inspiration for me. Within the Gradstar Top 500 environment, we attend many virtual seminars with CEOs of various companies. Many of these leaders are women who often speak of their journey in their personal and work lives. These interactions with these leading women are truly inspirational to me.

Q: What challenges have you experienced in your career?
A: In my career thus far, COVID19 has been the main challenge. I am someone that thrives on face-to-face contact. Due to COVID19, this, of course, came to a halt at the university. This made group work and communication much more difficult, as some individuals are not regularly checking their messages or emails. It created many communication and connection hurdles along the way. Although we have all now adapted to the "new normal", I still long for personal contact, as I feel this boosts productivity and makes support feel stronger.

Q: What message do you have for the youth of South Africa?
A: We should always seek to improve on our past selves and make ourselves proud. Make yourself a priority in life, and always keep your head forward, no matter the circumstances. Remember that every step you take today will be something you will be grateful for in the future.