Support provided by the Dell Young Leaders programme is designed to positively impact students on their university journey and in their careers.
Dell Young Leaders alum Ndivhuwo Maphangule completed her BCom in Financial Science Degree in 2017, and currently works at a national retail chain as a Buyer-Category Manager.
Below she unpacks her journey through university, what she learnt about herself, her future aspirations, and how she leveraged (and continues to leverage) the support of the Dell Young Leaders programme.
Q: What is it that you currently do?
I currently work in the retail industry as a Buyer-Category Manager at a national retail chain. I have a range of responsibilities centered around the procurement of goods and services for the organisation. I play a crucial role in ensuring that the right products are acquired at the right price, quality, quantity, and time. Being a part of the Dell Young Leaders programme played a significant role in guiding me towards this career path. The programme encouraged me to explore new ways to apply my degree in the workplace, especially in the retail industry.
Q: Why did you choose to pursue a career in retail instead of finance, for example auditing?
I love the retail industry! I gravitated towards it because it’s such a good space for personal growth – more specifically the endless connections one gets to make with leaders within the industry. The Dell Young Leaders programme team saw something special in me beyond my skills in finance. Through career consultation sessions, they taught me that being true to myself can lead to great career opportunities. This is exactly what happened.
Q: Why are you passionate about what you do?
The buying field is ever-changing with market trends, consumer preferences, and supplier relationships continuously evolving. This dynamic environment keeps the role interesting and engages me as a buyer in problem-solving and adaptability. The role involves analysing data, which can be intellectually stimulating, and it also allows for the expression of creativity through innovative products. The most fulfilling of all is knowing that you negotiated the best deal for your customers.
Q: What are some of your future aspirations in the workplace?
I aspire to take on a managerial position which would allow for an opportunity to participate in leadership development where I will have the opportunity to mentor others and contribute to a positive workplace culture. It would be a great honor to find myself as a leading voice to advocate for opportunities within the retail space.
Q: Do you have any tips for current students as they aim towards meaningful employment after university?
Embrace your authentic self and be open to opportunities outside of your initial plans. Each of us has a unique story, a distinct set of values, and a personal journey that shapes who we are. Do not be scared to venture into the unknown because there in might lie your greatest success and happiness.
Q: What did you learn by being a Dell Young Leaders student?
- From the day I got told I got the scholarship, I never lacked anything, and I mean anything! From financial management to personal development, that has been crucial to my growth.
- The programme instilled confidence in me to know that authenticity is not about perfection; it’s about embracing our flaws, our uniqueness, and our individuality. It’s about being unapologetically ourselves, without the fear of judgment.
- Through annual events such as the Leadership Symposium we had the opportunity to engage with industry experts, as well as coaches, because life gets hard sometimes and you need that guiding hand or that little push to keep going.
- I learnt how to present myself in interviews and compile a compelling resume. During my final round of interviews, they even arranged for someone from a similar industry to talk me through what to expect when I go for my final interview in the job itself.
Q: How are you continuing to lean into the programme in your current career?
I stay engaged with the programme through quarterly online learning and development sessions. They continue to provide valuable support and resources that help me grow in my career. The Dell Young Leaders programme shaped me in ways unimaginable and cannot be compared to anything out there from a mentorship and coaching perspective.
Q: For you, that describes the Dell Young Leaders Community?
Guardian angel – the programme is always looking over me and dropping much-needed nuggets of insight along my career path.