Career Pivots: From Corporate to the NGO Sector – by Vuyokazi Hlwatika

In January this year, I left my corporate role as a Researcher at a global risk and intelligence consultancy to join an NGO that focuses on land and housing issues. Here are seven lessons I’ve learned along the way.

In 2022, my Researcher role marked my first full-time role. I knew within the first six months that the role wasn’t for me. However, since I was also doing my Masters in Political Science full-time, going through another recruitment and probation process while writing a thesis was not something I wanted to put myself through again. Which brings me to lesson one: Timing is important. Knowing that I needed a change and having the capacity to take on that change were two very different things.

Although I knew the role at the consultancy wasn’t the best fit for me, I also knew it would give me invaluable skills. During my time in the role, I honed my research and analytical skills, and gained new skills like media monitoring and working with learning and development tools. This provided lesson two: “Time spent learning is never wasted but wisely invested for future returns.” - Dr. Lucas D. Shallua

Within my first three months, I ran for LGBTQ+ Network Lead and got it. I also became the youngest member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Council.? In a company with over 350 employees and offices in five continents, this was no small feat. This was a great way to contribute positively to company culture and get to know colleagues from other offices. It also gave me things to look forward to at work apart from my job. This showed me that waiting for the right season doesn’t have to be boring. Lesson three: It is my responsibility to find opportunities that stimulate me at work.

When I became more intentional about how to spend the remainder of my time in the company, I decided that during the next leadership cycle, I’d vacate my position in the LGBTQ+ Network because it ran efficiently before I joined and would continue to do so after I left. I shifted my attention towards the Race and Ethnicity Network as I felt it could benefit from more structure and having goals that would effect long-lasting change. In the year and four months that I ran the Network, I co-established the Race and Ethnicity Engagement Group, led virtual discussions on systemic racism to over 100 colleagues across all seven offices, and contributed to the recruitment and progression policy working group. I thoroughly enjoyed my role as Race and Ethnicity Lead. Although I was still a junior member of staff, this role reminded me of a childhood hymn and brought me to lesson four: Be bright in the corner where you are.

I enjoyed the work I did within EDI so much that I knew my next (paid) role had to be something similar. I needed something that could make me go to bed happy that I was making a difference in someone else’s life. I thought maybe an NGO would do but my Politics and International Relations educational background meant I was willing to get into politics too. I was open with my family about being at a crossroads and my oldest sister suggested doing the same fellowship she had done the year before. Lesson five: Share your ideas on your career transitions with those you trust. They may just lead you to the right doors!

One of the best experiences I had last year was to be a 2023 Futurelect SADC Public Leadership Fellow. Futurelect was co-founded by Lindiwe Mazibuko, and the fellowship aims to support leaders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who are seriously exploring working in politics. During my fellowship, I delivered 90-second stump speeches, learned about design thinking and ran for President on our Campaigns Simulation Weekend. I also had the opportunity to conduct informational interviews with a Member of Parliament (MP) who works for a party I was interested in working for at the time. Half-way through the fellowship, I knew politics was for me but that I wanted experience at an NGO first. Lesson six: Get some hands-on experience and talk to people in your desired field/s.

I am now six months into my role as a Project Officer at Development Action Group. My work includes policy advocacy, lobbying, and conceptualising, designing and delivering training courses for community leaders, amongst other things. In my second week on the job, I helped organise a community workshop on the Draft White Paper of Human Settlements which was attended by 109 community members representing 36 community-based organisations. So, it’s safe to say the work can be fast-paced. I also enjoy the varied nature of my new role. I work on the Active Citizens Training Course, which provides leadership training to the leaders of community-based organisations. This year, the course has a cohort of 34 participants. Finally, I am the Project Lead for work we do in Bellville South and Mitchells Plain so I get to work directly with communities. Seeing the hope that our work brings, as well as the confidence our capacity-building programmes builds within community leaders are the highlights of my new role. I am happy to share that I passed my probation with the highest possible rating in my third month in the role. Lesson seven: Once you get the change you’ve prayed for, immerse yourself in your new role. Let your passion shine through!

If you are navigating a career pivot this year or even next year, I hope you find encouragement in my story. South Africa’s job market can be brutal and even with my qualifications and working experience, it took me over 8 months of submitting more than 60 applications to secure two interviews. Rejection is part of the process and what matters more is how you recover from it. I wish you nothing but the best!

Written by : Vuyokazi Hlwatika

Edited by: Ms Zinhle Novazi

About the author Vuyokazi Hlwatika : Vuyokazi is a Project Officer at Development Action Group and a 2023 Futurelect SADC Public Leadership Fellow. She is also MA Political Science graduand (Stellenbosch University) and an Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls alumna.?

Navigating the Twenties Emma Reinecke Ms Zinhle Novazi

#navigatingthetwenties #youngprofessionals #interviewseries