Reba Phuthi, a junior lecturer in the
Department of Computer Science and Informatics at the University of the Free State (UFS), is one of many staff members who graduated at the April graduation ceremonies this year, contributing to the university's aim for academic excellence, quality, and impact.
She received a Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) Honours degree, a relatively new degree that allows students to major in computer science and business at honours level, as opposed to only computer science and informatics. Phuti was also awarded the Dean’s Medal for achieving the best results in the Bachelor Honours degree in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
Employability the determining factor
The idea of having the skills to build a computer from the ground up and the opportunity to gain an understanding of the inner workings of these devices sparked Phuthi’s interest in pursuing studies in Computer Science. “But the ultimate determining factor was employability,” says Phuthi, who believes that the IT industry offers a vast range of job opportunities that can provide a decent livelihood, and where one can enjoy job task diversity.
With this added qualification, Phuti states that she would like her skills and experiences to serve others. Not necessarily making a difference in society at large, but rather by focusing on the people around her. “Whether it is to project brainstorm with a group or offering advice or practical help to a student struggling with a difficult module, I would like to meet the needs of people in the environment around me when and where I can.”
Making her educators proud and using her God-given talents to help others are what motivates Phuthi. “I am fortunate to have had amazing educators throughout my journey, from grade school to university. I want to excel as a testament to their efforts and all they have sown in my life.”
Making her mother proud
“Above all, my determination to succeed is fuelled by my desire to make my mom proud. She is an incredible role model who has sacrificed so much to provide me with a better life. Knowing that doing well in school and university could lead to opportunities that benefit us both, has been a motivating force for me. My mom is a true rock star!” exclaimed Phuthi.
Phuthi’s plans for the future are to do her master’s degree, focusing on performamatics from either a computer science education or human-computer interaction perspective. Additionally, she would like to gain more experience in user experience and interfaces (UX/UI) and interaction design to build a strong portfolio for industry work. “I enjoyed these two areas of my honours studies immensely and wish to explore them as potential avenues for my career in the tech industry,” remarks Phuthi.