"I don't care about your degree"

I remember when Sun Couriers came to interview students at Port Elizabeth Technikon. I thought it was such a big deal and that I was such a big deal. I was just busy completing my B-Tech Degree in Information Technology, and we all felt the world was our oyster. This was 1997. I had decided to go study computers because my mom was working for the Technikon and I could study for free. As long as I continue to pass all my subjects. Looking back now, I realize what a privilege it was since I knew that we could not afford to pay for my studies and that if it wasn't for the fact that my mom worked there, that I probably would have gone to the South African Police College.

So, without having touched a computer before, I decided to go study computers. Back then it was definitely not the first choice for school leavers. The B-Tech Degree was just a couple of years old and I thought, why not computers. If it doesn't work out, at least I have that degree to fall back on. Funny enough, when I did an aptitude test in high school, the feedback was that I should become a doctor or actuary. So much for that Dr. Botha.

So, there I was in a meeting room at the PE Tech Summerstrand Campus, being interviewed by what I now know is one of the most amazing men I have ever met, Malcolm Sainsbury. Malcolm was an ex-Rhodes University Professor and Sun Couriers had hired him to steer the new IT strategy for the group. I felt pretty confident going into the interview because I did really well in my 4th year and our project team had just won 1st prize from IBM for developing the best PC-based system as part of our 4th-year practical work. I was the man! (PC-based was a big deal back then. Most systems were still being developed with RPG or Cobol. Remember that?)

So the interview is going well. This is my 2nd interview ever by the way (remind me to tell you about my 1st one. Shocking). So, I am sharing my thoughts on PC systems, views on object-orientated design and development, and of course my successes. Malcolm being the consummate professional, listened carefully to everything and then said something that blew my mind and left me speechless.

"I don't care about your degree."

"What?", is what I was thinking. I was speechless remember. He proceeded to explain to me that although the degree was great and valuable, for him, that only means I have the ability to learn. And that is good enough for him. That thought has stayed with me ever since. The ability to learn. Anything and everything can be taught and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want. It all depends on your ability and willingness to continuously learn, improve and challenge yourself.

They flew me up to Johannesburg and I got a tour of their Head Office, after which I would need to give my final answer on whether or not I accept their job offer. Thinking back now, I felt like Tom Cruise in The Firm. Being wined and dined by this company. Well, not quite, but I felt special, and without the murder and money laundering.

I was also lucky that they offered me two positions. I could decide if I want to join as a developer or a business support analyst. Two very different roles and different career paths. That's a big decision to make at the time. I ended up accepting (no surprise) and joined Sun Couriers the next year as a Business Support Analyst.

So I packed my bags and TV. That's all I owned at the time and loaded it all into my new Opel Kadet 140i (white), and I started my trek up north. No cellphone or GPS. Just a map book and some pocket money for the 1st month. My mom was lucky enough to find an amazing family that I could go stay with. So I was set for the big bad city.

The photo above is of my first desk at Sun Couriers. I was so excited and proud.

Immediately after joining Sun Couriers, I realized I made the right decision. Inclusive, collaborative, decisive and friendly, are some of the words I can use to describe it. I was thrown into the deep end on various projects, but with clear guidance and support. What an amazing feeling. They almost ran like a Start-Up. There were no "Start-Ups" back then. Just people like Malcolm that understood people, was inspired by technology and knew what businesses needed to succeed. This is the magic formula by the way.

I would spend the next 18 months at Sun Couriers, learning fast and soaking up everything I could from my colleagues. People like Carl McLellan and Nuno de Carmo taught me so much and walked next to me every step of the way. Gave guidance, advice, and insights. These guys were still young as well, but have been working for around 3/4 years already. Lesson: You have always something you can share or teach someone else. You only need to want to teach and they want to learn. That's it.

I ended up leaving Sun Couriers because I was looking for a new challenge and to be honest, I haven't learned how to manage my own career properly. I was young and ambitious and was chasing a little more money. In hindsight, I would have liked to stay at Sun Couriers a little longer. But I ended up joining The Foschini Group (TFG) for the following 22 years (which ended last year). TFG, I believe is the best corporate to work for in South Africa. Period. They just don't shout it off the top of the roof.

So, my first job was amazing and I wish everyone, especially my kids in a couple of years, have that kind of 1st job. One where people matter and learning is encouraged. Where you have the freedom to make mistakes because there is no continuous learning without mistakes.