Keitumetsi Tsotetsi, a consultant, became interested in IT from a young age. "My father was in the IT sector and used to show me how to fix computers and explain the concept of gaming, and how games were created."
She took IT as a subject in high school and was fascinated by creating something completely new that did exactly what you wanted it to do. "At the time, I had no idea about requirements definition and business analysis. I went on to win best project in grade 10 and won a printer."
Tsotetsi says she was not a technical person and therefore decided to study a BCom IT. "This was to ensure that I could combine business and IT. I've been one of the lucky graduates who have been able to get work in my field of study, and I have had no regrets to this day and it continues to be a great learning experience. I had a great IT Management lecturer, Prof Carl Marnewick from UJ, he had a great way of teaching and I think everyone who has been taught by him has a special appreciation for IT."
Providing training for students
She describes her career as still fairly young, but says she has managed to progress and find passion outside of just the professional environment. "Before I started working, I was part of Geekulcha, which is an IT community for young students and IT professionals. I have been privileged enough to be a part of the organisation from its early days and it has now grown into an organisation that collaborates with countries in Africa and other international countries to host event and provide learning programmes. The organisation also partners with South African organisations to provide IT training to students.
Previously, Tsotetsi was a junior consultant in CIO Advisory and as now taken a role in PwC's cyber security assurance team. "I have worked with high-profile clients in both the public and private sector."
A common concern
Speaking of her decision to become involved with IT security, Tsotetsi says: "Being a part of Geekulcha, we help students develop solutions using Web apps, mobile apps and electronics. Security has always been an aspect that was overlooked so I personally started looking into it. While writing blogs for the organisation, I realised that security is a common concern among all IT developments. Security goes where IT goes and that happens to be everywhere."
She says the defining point in her career was when she was the only full-time resource at the client with her manager visiting occasionally to check up. "It was important because it taught me that you need to have confidence in your work because the outcomes hold so much gravity. Apply your mind, be proactive and don't always wait to be told what to do."
The lesson here, she says, quoting and old boss of hers, is: "I hired you so that you can tell me what to do, not so that I can tell you what to do."
In terms of what she loves about her job, she says: "I love that each project is different and every new client I go to, feels like starting a new job, because even though it may be a similar project, there is always a different culture, new learning experiences, new processes and procedures, and a new environment to work in."
On the flip side, Tsotetsi finds the never-ending war between business and IT frustrating. "They want the same thing but just speak different languages. This is usually the case in all organisations."
Would Tsotetsi have done anything differently? "No. Only because I am very comfortable with how dynamic the industry is and there is no redundancy. Every experience with every project has been different and that is what keeps the fire burning."
In fact, she sums up her career with the sentence, "I love Mondays because I love my job and Fridays are a sad goodbye."
Networking opportunities
One development in SA's tech sector stands out for her. "The events held at the Jozihub because of the insight they provide from both a technical and business perspective. Most of the events are free and are open to the public, and provide a great networking opportunity. Jozihub is a great development because it facilitates small businesses and start-ups."
She offers some advice is to all the students and young professionals in all industries. "Be passionate about what you do and don't limit what you learn to your job and what you get taught at school. Get involved with your industry, attend conferences and talks, network, and read up on developments in the industry. Always ask questions. Invest in those younger than you and love what you do, even when it gets challenging. It only gets better. There's no such thing as work-life balance, it is now work-life integration."
Tsotetsi will be presenting on what is happening globally with regards to infosec versus the maturity of infosec in SA and third world countries, at the ITWeb Security Summit 2016, to be held at Vodacom World, from 16 to 20 May.
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