Current age: 28

Where are you currently situated on the planet: Johannesburg, South Africa!

Last time we spoke with you, you were working at Penguin Books (SA) in their Editorial and Production department …fill us in on what has happened since:
I was a bit undecided as to what direction I wanted to move – either design or editorial – but I eventually focused on editorial and now have the fun job of commissioning new book projects. My days are spent researching and evaluating new book projects, approaching authors, discussing contractual terms, etc. It can be daunting but I love the free reign I have and I get to meet many interesting people.

Your career has progressed, would you say that it went according to plan or you just went with the flow…were there any surprises on the way:
My career has progressed to almost the exact point where I wanted it to go, which I think is very lucky. Everything just followed a natural progression but there were also a few unwanted surprises – mentors and colleagues leaving, a possible move to a new city that didn’t work out – but these just help keep things interesting.

Since we last spoke to you have there been any major career highlights which have happened:
The highlight of any commissioning editor’s job is seeing a project through to completion and then having it be much more successful than imagined. I commissioned a book of sports trivia which ended up selling very well and I got to work with David O’Sullivan and Kevin McCallum, both of whom are brilliant and lots of fun. I’ve also been lucky to work with great authors and personalities such as Simon Gear, Justin Bonello, John van de Ruit and many others. (FirstStep.me says: super cool!)

Current age: 26

Where are you currently situated on the planet: Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Last time we spoke with you, you were running around in Cape Town with a guitar…fill us in on what has happened since:

I’m pretty much doing the same thing... But a lot’s happened. I’ve been a solo artist since January 2009 and I’ve done more shows and tours in the last year than I’ve done in my whole life. I recorded a solo album when I moved to Cape Town and promoted it everywhere last year. I’m currently busy recording a new album which is the first solo work I’ve done in 4 years. That’s pretty exciting.

Your career has progressed, would you say that is went according to plan or you just went with the flow…was there any surprises on the way:

The music business is often about chance. The more work you do, the more opportunities come your way. I get invited to festivals more often or approached for single gigs or specific jobs. I do everything in my job because I don’t like having to be patient with other people on creative or administrative issues. And I’m very capable to handle all the aspects of the industry. I can go wherever I want, whenever. So my calendar is often a puzzle that I have to solve.

Since we last spoke to you has there been any major or career highlights which has happened:

I guess just certain shows in Cape Town, Joburg, Durban, East London, Grahamstown Festival, Knysna, Transkei. Just to keep building momentum and see the rewards every so often is great. (FirstStep.me say's: that's good stuff, keep it up!)

Current age: 27

Where are you currently situated on the planet: Still in Jozi, South Africa

Last time we spoke with you, you were in Johannesburg, South Africa working with some really big Diggers…fill us in on what has happened since:

Well… I’m glad you asked. Since working with the big diggers I’ve moved into managing a market segment into which all the machines are sold, so not only diggers (actually officially known as Track Type Tractors). It’s based in the Marketing Department which allows some creative thinking but the work is focused on drawing conclusions from various data sources about where we should be pointing the ship in this segment.

Your career has progressed, would you say that is went according to plan or you just went with the flow…was there any surprises on the way:

At the moment I’m going with the flow. Saying that though you always need to have a plan, and currently I’m working towards that, so this is a means to get to the plan.

Since we last spoke to you has there been any major or career highlights which has happened:

Some interesting training, travelling around Southern Africa, a job change on the horizon and new challenges. (FirstStep.me says: Awesome!)

Age: 26

Where on the planet are you currently located: Johannesburg

So what exactly is your job and how did you go about achieving that career path:

I am the editor of FM Campus (www.fmcampus.co.za), a supplementary magazine to the Financial Mail. I studied Journalism and English at Rhodes University, specialising in New Media. I then travelled overseas, working as a freelance writer and editor, as well as doing some fairly awful temping, rent-paying jobs in London and Edinburgh. When I came back to SA, I took a job in web publishing. I started in this position, editor of FM Campus, in 2009.

I think I got here because I really love what I do, so it makes it easier to work hard. In my interview it was clear that I really knew the heart and purpose of the publication, and I think that gave me an advantage. Being knowledgeable about your field is your best preparation.

What’s a typical working day for you:

I get into work at 9am, and start with a coffee while I wade through loads of emails, three newspapers, and several news sites. I spend most of the day editing articles from freelancers and internal staff for our website. I also write articles for FM Campus and FM. I often meet with potential partners and would-be advertisers too. I also tweet and facebook about our articles as often as possible. I finish any time between 5pm and 7pm depending on how busy I am. (FirstStep.me says: Finally a coffee drinker!)

All jobs have challenges, what would you say are some of yours:

We’re a tiny team with a small budget. This means that sometime you just don’t have the backing for your great ideas. Occasionally the copy that gets submitted is terrible, and I need to work at it for ages, sending it back for rewrites and more rewrites, and then fixing it myself. This is also my first job managing people directly, which is a big learning curve.

Age:  24

Where on the planet are you currently located:  East London, South Africa

So what exactly is your job and how did you go about to achieve that career path:
I studied at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, and am currently in my third year of traineeship towards becoming a chartered accountant.  I chose this career path mainly because of the wide variety of opportunities it offers a person – the CA(SA) is not limited to simply auditing, but basically enables a person to pursue any career in business.  It provides an added advantage over a straight-forward BCom degree, and is recognised around the world.  I also considered actuarial science, but felt that it narrowed my options and limited where I would be able to work and live too much.

What’s a typical working day for you:
Arrive at work, check my mail and sort out admin, discuss any issues with my manager and provide him/her with an update, drive out to the client together with my team, spend the day there auditing (which involves a lot of dealing with client staff and working with my team), go back to the office at 16:30, replicate my work onto the server, check mail, deal with admin, go home.

All jobs have challenges, what would you say are some of yours:
Time pressure and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.  There is always a deadline, always more to be done, and if you’re not careful, work can easily eat into your private life.

Where do you see yourself in five years time:
Hmm, tough one…possibly still at the same firm in a managerial position, otherwise maybe in a financial management position at a corporate company.

Do you believe in studying as a key to success in all careers:
In most cases, yes.  There are, however, definitely exceptions to this, such as the entrepreneur who pursues a creative new idea and is successful.  “Studying” is also a broad term – doing an apprenticeship or attending a technical school is also “studying”. (FirstStep.me notes: Nicely put).

Do you have any career role models that helped motivate your success:
No, not really.