We are so pleased to begin this new year by sharing a thoughtful conversation between host Josh Newton and Nsuku Nxumalo, the Strategic Water Sector Cooperation Officer at the Embassy of Denmark in South Africa, and a member of the World Youth Parliament for Water.
In episode 06 of Diving into Water and Sanitation Careers, Nsuku generously shares the keys to her many successes with listeners. For example, she takes us through what she learned and the obstacles she had to overcome (such as doubt from others) while applying for funding to study abroad at the University of Oxford; wisdom that both aspiring students and professionals at any career stage will benefit from hearing. Nsuku chronicles how she found out about and secured her current job, sharing details that you will want to take note of to help you land your future dream jobs!
Nsuku is passionate about water, and more specifically, the development of sustainable water strategy and policy and the improvement of water cooperation at local through to international levels. It also becomes clear in this interview that Nsuku values the positive role that mentorship can play in career development, as she shares the gifts that her own mentors have passed along to her with listeners. Nsuku advises to “connect and converse” – listen to this week’s episode to find out what she means!
Before obtaining her Master’s degree in Water Science, Policy, and Management, Nsuku earned an Honors degree in Hydrogeology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She used this expertise as an Environmental Officer in the coal mining industry, working to manage environmental risks related to water, land, air quality, waste and legal compliance. Her journey into working with water policy and cooperation offered important lessons, which Nsuku shares in this episode, such as her advice to ask questions freely and to engage in both learning and un-learning throughout one’s career. There is so much more to hear – listen to Nsuku’s story here, on episode 6.
You can watch and listen to the podcast on this page or find the full interview here as an audio podcast, or here as a video podcast.
Every other week we will bring you a new episode of the Diving into Water and Sanitation Careers podcast. You can listen to the episodes anywhere you subscribe to podcasts and via the JWJ platform or here. You can also watch the video version of the full-length episode on our platform or via our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes!
