Get on the road to a career in IT: Discover how to acquire in-demand skills and tap into a world of opportunities!

The digital world now supports every industry sector, which means that ‘working IT’ could mean working in fields as diverse as agriculture, the arts, manufacturing, science or healthcare, or even opening your own business.

The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) invites learners, students, teachers and parents to attend this free webinar to discover what opportunities exist for young people considering careers in IT.

You will discover:

• Myths and misconceptions: who really works in the modern IT environment? Meet some young men and women working in SA IT and hear their views on IT as a career. Learn why you don’t necessarily need to be a maths whiz to work in IT. Find out why IT is a great career for young women. Discover the teamwork and excitement that can go on behind the scenes of IT projects.
• An overview of the range of jobs available in IT today. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about fixing PCs!
• Opportunities for digital entrepreneurs in a globalised, digital world. Hear examples of young digital innovators making waves in the world of business, or addressing key problems in society.
• What personality types thrive in the IT sector, and what personal skills you should develop. Practical advice on preparing yourself now for a future career in IT.
• How to get into IT: degrees, diploma courses, self-learning pathways, certification courses and learnerships for career progression. What if you can’t go to university? Learn about free and low-cost online courses, clubs and workshops to get you started.

Don’t miss this chance to get insights and answers from IT professionals and IT skills experts!

Senele Goba: President of the IITPSA

Senele is the President of the IITPSA. As a business owner and a young industry leader, Senele is a founder and director at 4IR Innovations (Pty) Ltd, which specialises in Industrial Automation, Technology Innovation as well as Educational Technology and Computer Science education. Here, she leads the design and development of STEM education materials such as coding games, STEM kits and Robotics simulation kits.

Her passion for STEM education informed the founding of the Ososayensi Education Advancement community development NPC, which works to expose young learners in under-served communities to STEMI and the use of Science, Technology and Innovation to solve problems.

Goba holds an Honours degree in Computer Science and a Certificate for Strategic Integration of Technology in Education. She previously worked in the Food and Beverage industry for 14 years in Control & Automation and Manufacturing Systems Management, where she continued her professional development by completing a Management Development Program at SABMiller and led successful Business Improvement Programmes to reduce losses and improve efficiencies in several business units around the country. She is an alumnus of the TechWomen program and was among the 108 women selected as Emerging Leaders in STEM globally as part of the TechWomen 2020-2021 program, based in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, USA.

Prof. Kerry Lynn Thomson:
Director of the Centre for Research in Information and Cyber Security (CRICS)

Prof. Kerry Lynn Thomson is director of the Centre for Research in Information and Cyber Security (CRICS) at Nelson Mandela University, IFIP Chair – Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance, a Professional Member of the IITPSA and Chair of the IITPSA SIGCyber committee.

Nyari Samushonga: CEO of WeThinkCode

Nyari Samushonga is the CEO of WeThinkCode, a South African software development academy that operates in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town. Nyari also scooped the 2022 IT Personality of the year award at the prestigious IITPSA President’s Awards. As an Entrepreneur and Tech Executive she has accelerated the recruitment of women students to the point of parity within the academy.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Nyari has previously operated as the Managing director of ThoughtWorks Africa, a subsidiary of the global software development consultancy, and a Manager in Deloitte’s audit and assurance division operating in both Harare and New York. Born in Zimbabwe, she also lived and worked in the United States and Tanzania.

Mixo Fortune Ngoveni: Co-Founder of Geekulcha

Mixo is the Co-Founder of Geekulcha, a Tech Entrepreneur, Connector, Social Media Geek, and Amateur Chef. He was recognized as a Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2015 and a finalist for the IITPSA IT Personality of the Year Award in 2017. Mixo is a former Red Bull Basement Brand Manager, Global Mentor, and Microsoft Student Partner.

In addition to his achievements, Mixo has been nominated as one of Tomorrow’s Leaders by SAINE and honored as one of the 30 Most Inspirational Young South Africans by Youth Villages. He has also been listed among the Sowetan Top 100 Young Bosses, Top 100 Superbalist, HTXT Africa’s Top 10 Young South Africans in Tech, and Ventureburn’s Top 31 Entrepreneurs Under 40 in South Africa.

Register now for this free webinar and earn CPD points: