I recall that when I was a student, I couldn’t wait to start working and gain hands-on experience with the technical aspects of things. However, once I officially entered the workforce, I realised something interesting: the structure of tertiary education and that of full-time employment are quite similar. They may appear different on the surface, but the underlying principles and expectations are much the same—just presented in a different format.
As I continued working and engaging daily with a variety of people, each with different characters and personalities. I discovered something truly intriguing and personally fulfilling: the power of authenticity. There’s something deeply rewarding about being true to yourself while also giving yourself the space and permission to grow. It’s about becoming and creating yourself as you move forward, not by pretending to have it all figured out, but by embracing the journey with honesty and openness.
These are my 8 go-to principles for navigating the workplace while growing into the best version of yourself.
- BUILD ON YOUR EDUCATION:
Your formal education lays the foundation, but real growth begins when you actively build on it. Focus on developing hands-on technical skills that complement your academic knowledge and always stay ahead of industry trends to remain relevant in a fast-paced environment. In fields like IT, it’s especially important to stay current with compliance standards such as GDPR and other evolving regulations. Continuous learning isn’t optional—it’s your edge in a constantly changing landscape.
- UNDERSTAND INTERNAL PROCESSES:
Take the time to learn how things work behind the scenes. Gaining a solid understanding of your company’s internal IT infrastructure—whether it’s networks, servers, or cloud systems—will give you the bigger picture of how everything connects. This knowledge not only helps you troubleshoot more effectively but also allows you to contribute meaningfully to system improvements and strategic decisions. The more you understand the internal flow, the better you can align your work with the company’s goals.
- UNDERSTAND EXTERNAL PROCESSES:
It’s not just about what happens inside the company—understanding how your organisation interacts with the outside world is just as crucial. Get to know the clients, partners, and vendors your IT team supports, and pay attention to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that define expectations and responsibilities. This external awareness helps you deliver better service, communicate more effectively, and see how your company fits into the broader IT ecosystem. Knowing the bigger picture makes your contributions more strategic and impactful.
- PERFORMANCE:
Understanding how your performance is measured is key to growing in your role. Whether it’s ticket closures, system uptime, response times, or compliance audit results, these metrics show where you’re excelling and where there’s room to improve. But it’s not just about hitting numbers align your personal growth with the company’s goals to ensure your progress adds real value. When you understand what matters to the business, you can focus your efforts where they make the biggest impact.
- ACCOUNTABILITY:
Being accountable means more than just doing your job it’s about showing up consistently, being reliable, and taking ownership of your work. Be proactive in offering support, not just when asked, but when you see a need. In IT especially, accountability also means always respecting client data and privacy. Trust is built through your actions and maintaining that trust is key to building a strong professional reputation.
- TEAMWORK:
In high-pressure situations like outages or cyber incidents, effective teamwork is essential. Managing stress and staying calm under pressure helps keep the team focused and solutions on track. Communicate respectfully with colleagues and end users, even when they’re frustrated and approach every interaction with empathy. Your ability to remain composed, supportive, and solution-oriented during tough moments strengthens team dynamics and builds trust across the board.
- PROBLEM SOLVING IN IT:
Effective problem-solving in IT goes beyond quick fixes; it’s about thinking critically and troubleshooting systematically. Don’t just treat the symptoms; dig deep to identify root causes so issues don’t keep repeating. A strong problem solver also looks for patterns and opportunities to improve systems and processes. By suggesting smarter, long-term solutions, you not only solve problems, you help prevent them.
- NETWORK & MENTORSHIP:
Building genuine connections with colleagues and professionals in your field is essential for growth. Take every opportunity to attend IT community events and engage with others who share your passion. Authentic relationships open doors to new knowledge, support, and mentorship both giving and receiving guidance, accelerates your journey and enrich your experience in the workplace.
Looking back, many of these principles made sense long before I stepped into the workplace right from our days at school. Just like in the office, school taught us the importance of building knowledge, understanding systems, working with others, taking responsibility, and solving problems thoughtfully. The difference is that in the workplace, these lessons come alive in real time, with real impact. Recognising this connection makes the transition smoother and reminds us of that growth and self-discovery truly start long before our careers do they begin with the foundation we built as students.
Popina Khumanda – Cybersecurity & IT Support Engineer, Zhero Limited
