QUARPHIX GRADUATE PROGRAMME: Khanyisile Mahlamba

00Briefly tell us about your current job

I currently work as a Salesforce Support Engineer assisting users with day-to-day configuration, support and maintenance on the Salesforce system.

01Which year time period did you do the Graduate Programme and what proud moments did you have with Quarphix?

October 2019- March 2020 One of my proudest moments at Quarphix would be obtaining my Salesforce certifications.

02How did you find the Quarphix Graduate Programme opportunity and how has it helped in developing your career path?

The graduate programme introduced me to a field/speciality I was not aware of, and this has been great stepping stone and entry to the career path that I am currently on, it has helped pave my journey in IT.

03What advice would you give to young aspiring technology enthusiasts with dreams to get an IT job yet they are limited in attaining higher qualifications due to financial constraints?

Young technology enthusiast can apply for Learnerships, as most do not require any Varsity qualification, and would just require applicants to have passed their matric. They should also consider applying for bursaries, as well as Nsfas.

04What is your opinion regarding the lack of enough inclusion of young black women in the IT sector and what do you think can be done to encourage the industry to adopt more women?

Honestly, I think a lot more black woman have been cementing their place in the ITC field, and this has also given many organisations that platform to hire more woman, especially black woman, however it would be vital to give exposure to young black females in lower grades In high school, so they can be aware of the opportunities in the Technology field when applying for varsity.

05Do you think there are opportunities for the youth in the South African IT sector?

I think the IT sector is one that SA lacks the most skills in, that being said there are many opportunities, and the best part is IT is so broad, so there is a lot that youth can pick from to specialize in.

06What kind of South Africa do you want to see at large?

I would like to see a South Africa that is not known for it’s high unemployment rate, A South Africa that invests in the education and empowerment of the youth. We currently live in a South Africa that has a high percentage of youth who have given up due to a lack of opportunities in this country and all of this can be avoided by investing in the future leaders of this country- the youth.