‘Don’t wait for opportunities – be courageous and create your own,’ says NAS HR Business Partner.

Nadia Smith, HR Business Partner at UP’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, shares her thoughts on some of the challenges women face while trying to achieve a healthy work/life balance.

Tell us about yourself and what you do at UP?

I am a very organised, hardworking, and driven individual who likes to keep busy, whilst also continuously striving to maintain a good balance in life. Staying active and exercising is an important part of my life, as I believe one needs to invest in one’s health and oneself. I enjoy travelling, and I am passionate about exploring and experiencing new and different destinations.

What inspired you to choose your field of study/profession, and what challenges did you overcome to pursue it?

The subjects that I chose at the school level allowed me to basically go and study in any field. Aptitude tests which I took while contemplating what to study confirmed that I am very numerate and would do very well in a charted accountant type of position, but I realised early on that I would rather work with people. People, as well as each individual’s unique interests, fascinate me. I completed my Human Resource Management (HRM) degree full-time and then completed my master’s degree in HRM part-time while I was working.

In your experience, what obstacles do women often face in the academic or professional sphere, and how can these challenges be addressed?

The general and known challenges of parenting and balancing work and family responsibilities, as well as psychological barriers at times, and also stereotyping. One way of addressing these challenges is to continuously promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Gender equality and empowerment are significant aspects of Women’s Month. How can we ensure that women are equally represented and empowered in leadership positions?

We can provide growth, development, and mentoring opportunities, offer more work flexibility, and promote diversity and inclusion.

How can we promote work/life balance and address women's challenges in balancing academic/ professional responsibilities with personal and family commitments?

We can offer more work flexibility in the form of a hybrid work model by focusing on productivity, as well as continuously monitoring workloads and acknowledging employee differences.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, what message would you like to send to young women aspiring to pursue higher education or careers in academia?

Never apologise for being a woman – and a strong one at that. Now more than ever is the time to empower and encourage each other. The world needs strong women who are not afraid to stand up for themselves and for others. Don’t wait for opportunities. Be courageous and create your own opportunities. It’s time to take a stand and be courageous, by creating our own opportunities and leading by example, so as to pave the way for generations of young women who are coming after you.