TAKE 5 with TIFFANY

Posted on June 17, 2020

Academic Achievers Profile: Tiffany Webster
 
Award: Best achievement for MCom Industrial Psychology, sponsored by the South African Board for People Practices
 
Tiffany Webster completed her MCom Industrial Psychology degree at the University Pretoria and her industrial and organisational psychology internship in 2019. She has a great passion for organisational change and development, and psychometric assessments.
 
Q1: How do you see the role of industrial and organisational psychologists (IOPs) change with the COVID-19 crisis?
 
It is now more important than ever before for IOPs to assist organisations in streamlining all internal processes, to ensure efficient and optimal productivity. IOPs will additionally need to ensure increased focus on all individual employees’ mental wellbeing and assist employees in staying motivated during the pandemic, as well as for months after the pandemic.
 
Q2: What is your definition of academic success?
 
Always striving to achieve the best that you can without comparing yourself with anyone else or their achievements. Academic success is achieving all realistic, but still challenging and motivating goals that you set for yourself.
 
Q3: Any tips for fellow students to achieve academic success?
 
Continue to push and smile throughout the good and the tough days. Do not ever doubt yourself or your ability, and always remind yourself of how far you have come and how close you are to the finish line! Enjoy the adventure, university can be a stressful time but it is important to also enjoy the wonderful journey that you are on.
 
Q4: Name the one to three people you look up to (in your study field or otherwise) and provide short reasons for your listing.
 
Prof Chantal Olckers – she was my supervisor for my mini-dissertation and continued to provide me with never-ending advice regarding my studies, while still being caring and motivating me throughout the process. Her professional yet caring personality really assisted me in getting through my master’s degree.
 
My mom – she is my heart and soul and was always the first person I would call and cry to when I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed. She continued to lift my spirits and motivate me to reach the finish line.
 
Q5: What single message (a quote/motto/paragraph) would you want more people to know and remember?
 
The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.
 
‘TAKE 5 with…’ is a campaign by the Department of Human Resource Management to feature 2019’s academic achievers. The purpose of the campaign is firstly to honour the students by showcasing them and their achievements online, and also to give other students and members of academia and industry an insight into their ideas and the keys to their success. Each profile is made up of a short description of the candidate, followed by their answers to five questions we posed to them.
 
- Author Department of Human Resource Management

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