Preparing for More Than a Degree
For Zeta, university was never just about earning a degree. While studying law at Stellenbosch University, she intentionally looked for experiences that would prepare her for the career she wanted to build. She pursued opportunities that challenged her to communicate, represent others, and take on greater responsibility, knowing those experiences would shape her long after graduation.
“I always felt drawn to leadership roles because they gave me the platform to solve problems on a wide scale,” she says.
As student affairs officer for the Juridical Society and deputy chief justice of the Student Court, Zeta worked with students from different backgrounds, represented their interests, and strengthened the communication, reasoning, and analytical skills she now uses every day. Those experiences confirmed the kind of career she wanted to pursue, one where she could use research, evidence, and collaboration to contribute to decisions that improve people’s lives.
Today, she brings that approach to her internship role as a Projects and Funding Associate, using research and data analysis to support projects advancing health care, early childhood development, and environmental conservation across Africa.
Building Career Readiness
In 2020, during the first year of her law degree, Zeta joined the inaugural Dell Young Leaders class at Stellenbosch University. As a first-generation university student, she was selected based on her academic achievements and the perseverance that had brought her there.
Dell Young Leaders gave Zeta practical ways to prepare for the workplace through career workshops, professional networking, and tools for navigating the hiring process.
One workshop, Become the Recruiter, challenged students to evaluate job applications from an employer’s perspective. It changed how Zeta approached interviews and presented her experience to employers. Along with the other experiences she pursued at university, it gave her a clearer sense of how to prepare for the career ahead.
Learning Along the Way
Zeta also learned the importance of asking for support.
While coping with personal loss and preparing for an important interview, she met with a Dell Young Leaders adviser. Although she tried to hide what she was going through, he recognised something was wrong, encouraged her to seek counselling, and reminded her how far she had already come.
Looking back, Zeta says that experience reinforced that resilience also means recognising when to lean on others.
Lessons That Last
Zeta says the most valuable lessons she learned at university happened outside the classroom. They taught her to embrace opportunities that once felt out of reach.
“I would tell my younger self to continue having the courage to say yes when opportunities feel like they’re out of reach,” she says. “Joining the programme will open doors you don’t even know you’ll need yet.”
