Navigating the gap between skills acquired in university and the misalignment with expectations of being in corporate

S'nothando Mthimunye 's professional saga unfolds as a riveting narrative, defying the conventional tales of career planning. Emerging from a backdrop teeming with creativity and fueled by an insatiable pursuit of diverse interests, she emerged from her formative years as a resolute scholar. Seamlessly blending academics with pursuits that ignited her creativity and collaborative spirit, she initially aspired to become a TV Presenter and Actress—a dream brimming with the promise of destiny.

Yet, life had a different script for Snothando. The entertainment industry's harsh reality, marked by relentless rejection and its toll on her self-esteem, forced her to confront a crossroads. Embracing her mother's counsel to have a backup plan, she enrolled in a Humanities program at the University of Cape Town, laying the groundwork for a career pivot that would redefine her trajectory.Snothando's detour into marketing and PR agencies proved revelatory. Climbing from intern to Junior Account Manager within six months, she discovered an unforeseen passion for conceptualizing and executing PR strategies for global lifestyle brands. The shift from her initial dream of TV presenting wasn't a concession but the genesis of an equally fulfilling path.

Despite flourishing in marketing and PR, a roadblock loomed. The absence of a formal marketing degree underscored a misalignment between acquired skills and corporate expectations. Unyielding, she pursued higher education, securing a prestigious Chevening Scholarship for a Master's degree in Marketing at Brunel University London.This transformative London chapter fortified Snothando's journey, emphasizing adaptability and purpose. Now, as a Content Producer at the National Basketball Association (NBA), she traverses the African continent, crafting compelling stories of athletes.

In this exclusive feature for Navigating the Twenties, Snothando Mthimunye shares insights on carving one's path to success, accentuating the significance of pivoting amid evolving passions. Her story becomes a guiding light for those grappling with the gap between university-acquired skills and the corporate landscape, a testament to the potency of resilience, faith, and the ability to navigate the unexpected.Join Snothando on this insightful journey as she reflects on invaluable lessons, offering a compass for navigating purpose and success amidst the ever-shifting terrain of the twenties.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a familiar question we're often asked as kids. However, I never knew it was a question I would still be battling to answer in my twenties. In my young adult life, I quickly learned that knowing what you want to be is one thing but another journey is getting there.

Growing up I was always an inquisitive child. I was a relentless scholar, always on the move, from the choir to playing the piano to playing netball and basketball, all whilst balancing my academics. I loved engaging in activities that sparked my creativity, showcased my talents and allowed me to collaborate with equally passionate people. This quality built my tenacity for hard work, always marching to the beat of my own drum.

Only in Grade 10 did I start to think about what I wanted to do after school. I knew I was talented in the creative space, and stage performance had become synonymous with who I was. As a result, I decided I wanted to become a TV Presenter and Actress.

Although I led with passion in my favour, a small part of me still felt I needed to figure out how I would be able to build a substantial career and earn an honest living, particularly in a high-risk industry like entertainment.. I remember my mother saying, "You can pursue your dream but need a degree to fall back on." So, I applied for a Humanities undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town. Little did my 18-year-old self know that my plan B would later save me and steer my career in the best direction.

Having a Plan B is often perceived negatively. At TV presenting auditions, I often heard people say, "Plan B is not even an option." We're encouraged to never give up on our dreams. However, at what cost? People don't tell you the toll that constant rejection from something you want profoundly takes on your self-esteem. I remember coming home from a Presenter Search audition, feeling exceptionally defeated. I sat on the couch, tears streaming down my face, completely heartbroken, wondering if I would ever make it. Audition after audition, Presenter Search after Presenter Search, for 5 straight years, I just could not crack my big break.

In the true nature of my relentless spirit, I started working part-time jobs in promotions and internships in marketing and PR agencies whilst studying. At first, it was a means to make extra income. However, I started to like marketing and learned a lot about it in a short space of time. During my time at one of the top PR agencies in Cape Town, Press Room, I moved from PR intern to Junior Account Manager within 6 months. I loved conceptualising, planning and executing PR strategies and events for global lifestyle brands. It was a new world I had never considered as a career, but it ignited a fire in me, and I worked hard to soak up as much knowledge as possible on the job. As my career in Marketing and PR continued to soar, my pursuit of TV presenting began to dwindle.                                     

However, I eventually hit a roadblock, feeling like my career needed to progress in my desired direction. I was doing something other than purpose-driven work, and I felt under-utilised with a strong desire to tap into different skill sets. I remember applying for Marketing jobs and reading "Marketing/ Business Degree" as a requirement. Still, as I secretly knew, I could never crack an interview because I did not qualify.

That small voice in my head during my TV presenting days would often visit me saying, "You're not good enough". But my faith in God reminded me of who I am and I felt that God was steering me in a different direction. My mentors at the time, Charnell Young and Wayne Habig, recognised my potential. When I introduced the idea of furthering my education, they encouraged me. It was the perfect time, God's time, to actively apply for funding to pursue my Master's degree in Marketing.

In 2021, I was awarded a prestigious Chevening Scholarship to pursue an MSc in Marketing at Brunel University London. It was the most extraordinary experience living in London, and yes, it did come with its fair share of challenges. But one thing the experience taught me reminded me of my favourite quote: "Write your purpose in pen and your plan in pencil". Navigating your qualifications in university and your career is about being able to pivot. Plans will always change, but one thing that remains is your purpose.

I now work in marketing on the production side of things as a Producer at one of the top sports leagues in the world, the National Basketball Association (NBA).  I was very intentional about the type of organisation, responsibilities and corporate environment I wanted to be in. But more than anything, I wanted to be at an organisation rooted in purpose, and the mission and developmental initiatives I work on across the continent fulfil this. I manifested my job and married my manifestation with measurable action. I never knew that a young girl who played regional basketball in high school would one day be at the forefront of developing and uncovering basketball stories across the continent. But here I am, living in my plan B and loving every moment.

Marketing chose me because I never grew up answering, "I want to be a Marketer when I grow up". In fact, when I began my career, I did not even have the qualifications. All I had was the will to work hard and use my God-given talents to make something of myself. I had always thought my "dream" was a title or a position, but my dream is an aspiration or living out the highest state of being I want to have.

Navigating the gap between skills acquired in university and the misalignment with expectations of being in corporate in my twenties has taught me that sometimes you need to carve your path to your idea of success. There is no straight or black-or-white way to go about it. Pursuing a Humanities degree was the most significant decision I could have made because the career possibilities are endless. With the world moving, new and nuanced skills are required in the workplace. You will find other passions and desires you may never have had at age 17 or 18. And when you do, learn the art of pivoting - do everything you can to carve your next step and empower yourself, even if it means tapping into your plan B.

Written by : S'nothando Mthimunye

Edited by : Emma Reinecke

Navigating the Twenties

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