Chantel Coetzee landed her “dream job" when she joined Stellenbosch University (SU) as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Architecture Practice Lead.
With more than more than 23 years' experience across business and IT architecture, Coetzee sees herself as an innovator, entrepreneur and strategic enabler.
In the month of Workers’ Day, we feature some of our staff
and their part in keeping the wheels turning at our institution. Coetzee tells us more about her work at the University.
What is your role at Stellenbosch University?
My responsibilities include the organisation and management of the security, communication and related technological components within SU.
What does a typical day at work look like?
It depends on the day, but a typical day is usually filled with lots of meetings. I am currently balancing my time between several large SU projects. I am also designing and implementing an internal project and establishing ICT practices. Another task is the request for a proposal for a system replacement. ICT architecture advisory for other initiatives/projects across SU is another priority in my daily work.
How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job?
I completed an Accounting Technician (South Africa) qualification at Global Accounting Proficiency whilst working. It was hard, but I am grateful that someone believed in me and gave me the opportunity. I started as a Unit Trust Pricing Analyst in 1998 and since then my career has been filled with unexpected opportunities. When I discovered enterpriseaArchitecture, I found my passion. I had never planned to move from investment accounting to information technology. I thought I would become a charted management accountant.
We moved to the Western Cape at the end of 2018. I started working at SU as part of a review that Deloitte, the company I was working for, had to do. After the completion of the review, I was asked to consult and when the opportunity arose, I was asked to join the team as the ICT architecture practice lead.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at Stellenbosch University?
I enjoy learning about a new sector – the higher education field is extremely exciting and the people are quite diverse. Enterprise architecture is new to SU and I enjoy the collaboration to apply the practice to SU. It is complex, vast and unique. I am doing what I love for an institution I believe in. To sum up, this is my dream job at an amazing organisation.
The pandemic has changed the way we work and live. What keeps you motivated during these times?
By realising it is fine to not be fine and discussing it with trusted minds, helps me. Verbalisation is not about finding an answer, but about saying out loud how things are affecting you. It surprises me that most of the time you are not alone in your inner struggles.
What drives me, is the thought that I can create and leave an economy behind that will uplift and enable entrepreneurs to make a difference to our country. This can empower our children's children to realise their lives and dreams.
Tell us something exciting about yourself that few people would expect?
I love calavera (sugar skulls), my kitchen is decorated in this style with a splash of hot pink. I even have one tattooed on my arm. They symbolise to me that below everything we are all the same. I also have a Vellie shoe collection (11 different pairs and counting).
