“I aspire to become the best version of myself in all opportunities that I obtain” – Wandipa Gombalume

The best movies for me are the ones where an underdog comes out on top. That is why I love stories of people that rise up from growing up in rural areas to taking up corporate spaces. Wandipa Gombalume is one of those people and it is so amazing to have her in this week’s Inspiration Wednesdays. Let us go all the way to Botswana with this Q&A:

Sibusiso Nkosi: What attracted you to the finance field?

Wandipa Gombalume: I grew up in a rural area in the north eastern part of Botswana and I was never really exposed to career fields. When I did well in my high school examinations, I was stuck between studying law or finance. After consulting with a few family friends and close friends I eventually decided to go into finance. I would definitely say I never really envisioned working as an accountant.

Sibusiso Nkosi: What pushes you to want more for your career instead of just having a job?

Wandipa Gombalume: I aspire to become the best version of myself in all opportunities that I obtain. For me its all about making and leaving an impact, to show young girls especially from similar backgrounds as mine that you can achieve everything you set up your mind to.

Sibusiso Nkosi: How important is personal development in career growth instead of just focusing on qualifications?

Wandipa Gombalume: After getting to manage a team and having to work with people from all walks of life with different career backgrounds (such as the people I work with in our operations division) it has shown me that qualifications can take you from one point to another. And in order to get to another point you need more than your qualifications. You need to improve your soft and interpersonal skills. You need to sharpen your confidence and public speaking skills as an example. You need to be able to converse confidently with people in the workplace, engage and learn from them as well.

Sibusiso Nkosi: What are some of your career highlights?

Wandipa Gombalume: My career highlight would definitely be becoming a finance manager at 25 in one of Botswana’s biggest tourism companies.

Sibusiso Nkosi: What are your career tips for young people who feel stuck in their career growth?

Wandipa Gombalume: For young people feeling stuck- take advantage of social media platforms where you can get indirect and direct mentorships and potentially sponsorships from potential mentors. This can help motivate and encourage you. But it’s important to also brand yourself as an individual. People need to know about your work ethic, character and your work. It’s important to also invest in yourself over and above your qualifications. Invest in short term courses that can help you bring value to your team and make you noticeable. Also go out there and sell yourself. It’s important to learn as much as you can. Never look at someone’s life and compare it to your own. Focus and stay in your lane.