What motivates me?
Many things! For one, the people I surround myself with. I love learning what makes people tick, and which things I do that make them smile. One of my biggest motivators in life is leaving behind a positive impact on those close to me.
I'm also very motivated by the quest for knowledge. I enjoy gaining new skills, as well as imparting that knowledge unto others whenever needed. Success can mean many different things to many different people, and I hope this gives you an idea of what it means to me.
What's a fun fact about me?
I'll give you a few!
Firstly, I really love dogs. I can sometimes be found saying hi to someone's pet on a trail, or enjoying spending time with dogs at my local adoption center and taking them for walks. There are so many cute, special doggos out there. My favorite breed is the Golden Retriever.
Secondly, I'm interested in cars! I've been intrigued for many years by the developments in the automotive industry. Driving can be really fun, whether that's on the road or off-roading, manual or automatic, and in small cars or big ones. It's cool how much tech is being integrated into cars these days. Which is a nice segue.
Lastly, I'm very into tech. I enjoy checking in with a number of tech blogs and YouTube channels so that I can keep up-to-date with the latest releases, developments, and continue to learn about a hobby I've had for as long as I can remember. I've built numerous PCs over the years for myself and my friends as a result.
What's my favorite pastime?
I thoroughly enjoy being in nature. Whether it's a walk along a beach, a hike in a forest, or just walking a dog in my own neighborhood, I find it easy to relax outdoors, recenter myself, and gain the clarity I need to tackle any new challenges that arise in my life. Sometimes I take a few photos too.
I'm also an avid gardener. That ties nicely into the nature interest. On the weekends, you can often find me kneeling in one of my flower beds, or browsing around my local garden center.
What are my career ambitions?
Transitioning into the People & Culture space in 2022 was such a fantastic career move for me. I get to blend my people and organizational skills in a way no other role has afforded me in the past.
Also, my personality lends itself to doing well in this field. I approach people empathetically, without bias, with an open mind, and with the ability to make difficult decisions on behalf of the company if the situation calls for it.
My intention is to continue to grow and learn in the field, develop my P&C skills, and make sure my fellow samsters have what they need to succeed and feel fulfilled as we scale.
Aside from that, at this point, I intend to continue to form strong connections through networking. I'm open to volunteer positions.
Why did I decide to emigrate to Canada, and why did I move back to SA?
I saw emigrating to Canada as a fantastic opportunity to move to a country with more room to learn and grow. I then worked to satisfy the entry requirements through marketing-related work experience and gaining a Master's degree.
It wasn't all positive - there are pros and cons to living anywhere. No place is perfect. But, I have no regrets. I learned a lot from the experience, about myself and about others. And I gained a great job in the process.
In late 2023, I moved back to Cape Town, South Africa, to regain my culture, be close to my friends and family, and enjoy how spectacular the city is. As a bonus, this enabled me to remotely support samdesk's global team (in the same role) from a more central time zone. I'm really happy to be home.