Priya Rowjee

ByWBSComms

Priya Rowjee

Current title
Strategist; Social Entrepreneur; Part-time Academic

Course at Wits Business School
Master of Business Administration, 2014

A defining moment in my career
Building a good career can be seen as a formula: defining goals + taking the necessary actions to achieve them = a linear move up the corporate ladder and into the corner office. However, what if the ladder is placed up against the wrong wall, or is a free-standing ladder that doesn’t lead anywhere? This was the realisation I had early on in my career as an intern. I knew that I didn’t want to build a curriculum vitae, but rather to have a lasting positive impact on the world. Through a journey of self-reflection, I connected the dots and defined my purpose: architecting Africa to be the innovation capital of the world, and move from #AfricaRising to #AfricaLeading.

This clarity has linked me to opportunities aligned to my purpose and enables me to achieve the highest expression of my talent. I deliver on this with passion every day, which requires courage, resilience and tenacity. As I continue on my journey, I have made self reflection my personal discipline – to remain true to my values as I seek to advance my unique strengths. On this path, I constantly remind myself of Nelson Mandela, who said that, “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”.

Similar Posts

  • Wendy Luhabe

    ByWBSComms

    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.

  • Craig Yeatman

    ByWBSComms

    I believed that I could work hard enough to earn a fabulous early retirement. I started a retail company in 1989 and my optimistic best mate helped me raise ‘capital’ by polishing up and selling my Hi-Fi system.

  • Judy Dlamini

    ByWBSComms

    My career started at KEH VIII Hospital in Durban as a medical intern. It’s been an exciting journey! The first milestone was opening my medical practice in eMlazi, the second biggest township in the country.

  • Lauren Liebenberg

    ByWBSComms

    I used to try candy-coat things, but no longer: giving birth is less painful, less bloody and infinitely quicker than getting your first novel published. If you haven’t been smothered under the avalanche of “Dear Author, Thank you for your submission, but …” slips by the time you find a publisher, you and your manuscript will still have to face the pitiless glint of your editor’s scythe.