Madelein Roos

Current title
Group Learning & Development and Organisational Effectiveness Manager, Adcock Ingram

Course at Wits Business School
Women in Leadership, 2017

A defining moment in my career
Having always had a deep interest in science, I first qualified as a chemist, and thereafter at a later stage as an engineer. In order to broaden my capabilities, I started to lecture evening classes at the Vaal Triangle Technikon, now the Vaal Institute of Technology.

I believe that all roads take us to where we should be and here the technikon gave me an opportunity to start lecturing in their Chemical Engineering as well as Applied Science departments. Whilst pregnant with my first daughter, I was not permitted to lecture. Pregnant women in that era were not supposed to be seen in public or lecturing.

I was fortunate at that stage to be afforded the opportunity to assist with the re-curriculum development process within the Chemical Engineering Department. This opportunity helped me to learn outcomes-based education and skills development.

At this point in my career, my path veered into a completely different journey. From a career in science, I was transmuted into the world of education and skills development. My ability to make an impact and create value within the lives of the individuals on my journey will forever remain etched in my mind. It was at that turning point that I realised that I am exactly where I was supposed to be.

Had I stayed on the same career path, I would not have reached this level of satisfaction on such a great level. All is not lost with my science and engineering background as the knowledge that I gained is still applied when I need to relate to our manufacturing colleagues.

I am able to understand first-hand the challenges that they experience. I also apply my mathematical and analytical skills on a daily basis when I need to generate reports and work on tricky calculations.

Nomusa Mazonde

ByWBSComms November 22, 2018January 13, 2020

Passing my PhD and graduating was a defining and memorable moment for me. A great sense of accomplishment, it was both the ‘Mama, I did it’ feeling and the ‘coming of age’ feeling which came with the sudden realisation that I could do that and more.

50 Faces

Wendy Luhabe

ByWBSComms November 22, 2018January 10, 2020

After spending about ten years in corporate South Africa from 1981 to 1991, I was overlooked for a marketing position that became available. The marketing manager would not even allow me to be interviewed.

50 Faces

Thabo Mokwele

ByWBSComms November 22, 2018January 10, 2020

WB Yeats said, “Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold,” which holds a harsh lesson for me. I took my radio broadcasting talent for granted. Because it came so easily, I began not to pay it attention and focused on what others considered important.

50 Faces

Lauren Jankelowitz

ByWBSComms November 21, 2018January 13, 2020

I was a really good social worker. I loved working in a community, doing long-term development work with individuals and groups. However, because I was a good social worker, I quickly became a manager of peers, then teams and projects, and ultimately organisations.

50 Faces

Paul Bacher

ByWBSComms November 19, 2018January 10, 2020

Since leaving Wits University, my life revolved around being an entrepreneur, co-founding NetActive, Call Centre Nucleus and NetFlorist.

50 Faces

Nicky Hambleton-Jones

ByWBSComms November 21, 2018January 10, 2020

The most defining moment in my career so far was the opportunity to present and be a style expert for the global hit makeover show 10 Years Younger which was broadcast at primetime on Channel 4 in the UK.

Madelein Roos

Similar Posts