Honestly, nothing irks me like writing about myself. There’s a fine line between losing your mind and answering a question that prompts you to tell the reader about yourself, and ever since I became an IS student, I have been dancing on it. It’s hard to write about yourself when you’ve spent most of your academic career feeling like you’re taking up someone else’s spot.
The Pivot
My journey into Information Systems (IS) actually started with an attempt to leave it. At the time (2023), only a handful of BCom General ECP students were allowed to have IS as one of their majors, and I went to Ms Albertina’s office specifically to give up my spot. I felt as if I were occupying a space that belonged to someone else. At the time, I wasn’t 100% sold on IS, and I hate doing things I know I won’t put my all into.
After speaking to Ms. Albertina, I had to wait for someone to come and speak to me at her request. I waited with the very person I was hoping to relinquish my spot to, though they were unaware at the time. When we were finally called back, I entered the room to find Mr. Wyngaard waiting for me. He quickly helped me realise the potential I was walking away from. I ended up staying with IS, and my friend got in anyway, the best possible outcome. I didn’t have to rob someone of an opportunity to pursue a dream that would eventually become my own.
The Logo That Almost Broke Me
That early lesson in opportunity stayed with me, but so did the imposter syndrome. I realised that it never goes away; it just changes shape. For this blog, it manifested in the form of the stubborn belief that because I am an honours student and a developer (of sorts), I would be able to handle a logo. I surprised myself, but not in a good way. I gave up before I ever really began and recruited a friend. Funnily enough, she followed the same process I did but produced much better results.
This was a humbling reminder that in the digital economy, collaboration isn’t just a soft skill, it’s a necessity. I’ve realised my goal shouldn’t be to have all the answers in isolation but to contribute to an environment where the best solution can arise, regardless of who it comes from.
Reconciliation
This collaboration happens within my own thinking, too. My brain exists at a strange intersection: the rigid world of Accounting and the ever-evolving world of Information Systems. Having both backgrounds means that I’m always reconciling two worlds. I try to create solutions that are “IS” enough to be clever and innovative but “Accounting” enough to actually make sense within the limits of the project and the confines of my mind.
It’s a constant trade-off between precision and possibility. In accounting, if it doesn’t balance, it’s wrong, and in a similar vein, in IS, if it’s too complex to be maintained, it’s sub-optimal.
When I approach a problem, I’m looking for the one thread that connects everything. My value isn’t just in building; it’s in my ability to audit complex topics. I always ask, “Did I really solve the problem if I have to hold the user’s hand every step of the way?” If a solution isn’t intuitive, it’s just another barrier.
My Purpose
This is why I aim to position myself as a bridge. As an IS professional, I engage with technology to translate it into something logical and accessible. I value collaboration, humility, and simplicity. This ensures that the digital solutions I create are as sustainable as they are innovative.
Anyways, that’s where my head is at right now. I’m curious, how has your own view of yourself influenced what you think is simple? Do we sometimes make things too complex just because we want to prove we can?
Song of the week: “Breathe Deeper” by Tame Impala
This is a song that I have had on repeat even before writing this. The reason I chose this song is that I feel it’s easy to get lost while engaging with technology, and this song serves as a reminder to Breathe Deeper and not overcomplicate things. I figured that this would serve as a good reminder for myself and others while we navigate our honours.
Click the image to listen to the song
Ln is Ln