Introduction

My name is Thalana. I am 25 years old; born and bred in Somerset West, South Africa. I am a creative, yet logic person. My hobbies consist of dancing, writing and art, although I also enjoy word puzzles, Sudoku and Kakuro. I am a big fan of filling in questionnaires and doing quizzes. I am organised, but also lazy, which is a lousy combination for a perfectionist like me. I believe I’ve got OCD when it comes to spelling and grammar.

I studied for five years in total after school. I completed my BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Stellenbosch. After that I did my BSc Honours in Environmental Management through Unisa. To try and do eight year subjects in one year is doable I suppose, but completely insane. That’s why I did this course over two years. I was fortunate to study fulltime at home; I still can’t decide whether it was the best or worst time in my life.

Today is my six month anniversary at my first job ever. Job title: Front Desk Assistant/Receptionist. I work at a small advertising/design/marketing company with six other people. I am responsible for opening and closing the office, answering the phone and taking messages, handling the couriers, packing launch kits, general office administration and filing, checking stationery and kitchen supplies, downloading and uploading images, online and in-store research, PO’s, and traveling for the occasional collection and delivery. Of course, your job is never limited to your job description.

So what is a girl with these types of qualifications doing in a job sector completely different from her studies, doing a job many may consider to be “beneath” them? My friend (who has the same qualifications as I have, cum laude) is volunteering where she can, my cousin (who did her Honours in Marketing, cum laude) is forced to be a waitress, and my boyfriend had to go to South Korea to teach English for a year. These three people have one thing in common: they cannot find another job. I am here for the same reason. And let me tell you, if you’re a South African, and a job falls on your lap, you take it with great appreciation.

Let me explain how it happened. It was just after my exams and I was looking forward to taking some well-deserved time off before panicking about my future plans. Then I got a message from my friend. Her boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend (read this slowly) was the receptionist during that time, and she was looking for someone to help her pack these promotional kits. Three days for R300 a day. Why not, I thought to myself. I could always use the extra cash. I learned that it was her last week at the office. Her boss (now mine) asked me whether I would be interested in taking over her job until I can find something else. I made my price, and he was fine with it.

I don’t know whether they were looking for someone to replace me during that time, but after a few weeks my boss asked me whether I could stay for another few weeks. I told him I take this job seriously and I’ll be here as long as I have to be, since I don’t have anything waiting for me. Before I knew it, he gave me a letter of employment.

I was at the right place at the right time. If I declined the offer to help pack promotional kits, I may have still been unemployed today. I don’t mind being here, because I am learning something new every day, even if it has nothing to do with what I studied. Any experience is good experience, and I have a new appreciation for receptionists. I believe I was placed here for a reason.