Tales from a young professional
-
Budding geophysicist courageously shares his experiences of life after graduation.
Self-confessed social media addict Thashen Naidoo (BSc 2019, BSc Hons 2020) describes himself as a “geophysicist”, “20-something trying to understand life”; “budding entrepreneur on a quest to change the world” and says “Adulting is hard”.
Whether it’s about filing a tax return or the excitement that comes from receiving branded clothing from his employer for the first time – Thashen shares it all. And it is this authenticity which endears him to followers. “Thashen you are a legend, always inspiring and assisting everyone,” reads one comment.
He is from a generation who thinks strategically about how to get where they want to go, and has an openness to be mentored. Thashen is currently employed as a geophysicist at Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics, a minerals and exploration company, and has an honours degree in geophysics and mine seismology. He is co-founder of career guidance platform Shapes of Tomorrow and a podcast host on ThriveHive – a series exploring the meaning of success from an African perspective. As an active science communicator he was a national semi-finalist in the Famelab international science communication competition in 2019, and attended international conferences such as the Model United Nations, a simulation of the UN conference in which students and young professionals discuss possible solutions to global issues through research and debate to pass a suitable resolution.
Thashen offers useful information for those starting out in a new job and who are also curious about learning from established professionals. His posts include experiences of fieldtrips – with great photographs of South Africa’s geographical wonders such as the Vredefort Dome. In them he admits his initial fears. “Finishing off high school I was shy, timid, less adventurous and would never dare to touch a rock or even sit down on a patch of grass.” His stories are full of anecdotes about personal growth. “The conditions were uncomfortable, but I’ve made it. My body adjusted to the environment and thrived. I started to observe my surroundings more. The higher the quartzite ridge that I climbed, the more my fear of heights dissolved. The rougher the terrain, the better I began to focus.”
He muses on the tough transition from student to working professional, describing it as the “exam of life”.
“You have to learn how to deal with anxiety, depression, uncertainty and confusion,” he writes. “You have to be okay with failing forward. It’s a never-ending battle and the constant reminders about success from social media don’t make the journey any easier.”
Thashen’s quote to live by: “Don’t fear failure, fear the absence of progress. Don’t be afraid to try new things, don’t be afraid of rejection or making mistakes.”
Check him out @naidoothashen or https://za.linkedin.com/in/thashennaidoo01