?Valdene Southon is far more than just an assistant at Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) Campus Health Service. She plays a pivotal role that extends far beyond the typical bounds of administrative work. With a background in law and a knack for continuous improvement, Valdene enhances daily operations and supports the 肆客足球's health initiatives. As we celebrate Workers' Day in May, we dedicate this series of profiles to our staff and their crucial contributions to SU.
What does your role at SU entail?
I am the assistant to the Senior Director of Campus Health Service, Dr Pierre Viviers. My responsibilities extend beyond the traditional administrative tasks. I serve as the primary coordinator for the Senior Director's office, overseeing a myriad of projects and ensuring smooth running of operations on a daily basis. I also act as a trusted advisor, offering valuable insights and support as needed. My role embodies a blend of strategic thinking, project management prowess and a keen ability to anticipate and address the needs of the Director and the Organisation. I am also the Secretariate of the Institutional Committee for Staff Health and Wellbeing.
What does a typical day at work look like?
Typically, I would balance my responsibilities (from administration to projects to strategic support) and align it to my energy level, but most days look like this:
· Morning brief to lay out the day;
· The bulk of mornings are spent on project work (when the brain is at its freshest!);
· Office management happens before lunch;
· Post lunch consists of administrative duties (emails, calls, Teams messages, etc);
· I leave five-minute slots at certain times of the day to take a breather;
· End of day brief to close any loops or prep for the next day.
How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job??
I completed my law degree and picked up valuable skills that have helped me quite significantly in this role. Law school trains you to apply critical thinking and problem solving and how to conduct yourself ethically and professionally. The years of experience (more than 15 to be exact) also come with its own set of acquired skills you don't necessarily get from finishing a degree. Soft skills like relationship management, building leadership qualities and strong communication skills are part and parcel of the game. I am completing a postgraduate diploma in future studies this year and it has been quite an eye-opener so far. I tend to implement new learnings in our department as soon as I can.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?
What really drives me is knowing that even though I work in an administrative capacity, my efforts directly support the important work of our healthcare professionals at Campus Health Service and ultimately impact patient care and well-being. Patient support is not a one-way street and regular conversations with staff and students about their needs are important. In the words of Dr Max Goodwin of
New Amsterdam TV fame: “How can I help?"
Additionally, being in a student environment helps one keep up with the younger folk and how they deal with everyday life. I always look forward to the new student intake and observing how they tackle the reality of life outside school and family. We learn from them each year. There exists a sense of lifelong learning and making a positive impact on other people's lives. Being here offers both professional growth and personal satisfaction!
Tell us something exciting about yourself that few people would expect?
I am a very expressive and outgoing person and enjoy socialising with family and friends. I am part of a social hiking group that regularly does overnight hikes in places like Cederberg, Robertson and McGregor. I completed the Otter trail and cried on the mountain descent on the last day of the hike. I blame both exhaustion and the sheer beauty of Mother Earth for those salty tears. I am an avid fan of horror fiction, with Stephen King being a huge hit on my bookcase and, more recently, I have started watching Korean horror TV series. I am also planning a podcast with our adult son who lives with us and is navigating his life towards moving out some day. There exists a very different set of rules for both parents and children once your child turns 21! Now to just carve out the time to get this off the ground!
PHOTO: Stefan Els
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