3Sixty Careers Podcast

Ellek Blom
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The 3Sixty Careers Podcast brings real conversations with real professionals across South Africa. Hosted by Ellek Blom, each episode breaks down different careers, how people actually got into them, the challenges they faced, and the skills that helped them grow. We unpack roles in tech, business, finance and beyond — in simple, practical language. If you want clarity about jobs, salary growth, and real career paths in South Africa, this podcast is for you.

Episodes

  1. Episode 9: How to Become a Personal Trainer in South Africa | Fitness Career, Clients & Making Money - Patric Letoao

    May 17

    Episode 9: How to Become a Personal Trainer in South Africa | Fitness Career, Clients & Making Money - Patric Letoao

    Most people go to gym to lose weight, build muscle, or feel more confident…But very few people ever think about fitness as a real career.In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, Ellek Blom sits down with senior personal trainer Patric “Lebz” Letoao from Virgin Active Sandton to unpack what it really takes to become a successful personal trainer in South Africa.Lebz shares his personal journey from being a skinny young guy struggling with confidence… to building a career helping other people transform their lives through fitness.We also talk about:How to become a personal trainer in South AfricaFitness qualifications and coursesHow personal trainers make moneyWhy most people fail at gymThe biggest mistakes people make while training aloneThe truth about motivation, discipline, consistency, and resultsWhy your body is your business card as a fitness trainerHow fitness changes confidence, mindset, and self-beliefIf you’re passionate about fitness, health, gym, bodybuilding, or helping people transform their lives — this episode is packed with practical advice.TRIFOCUShttps://trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za/

    1h 3m
  2. Episode 8: One of SA’s Highest Paying Careers? Actuary Explained (Exams, Salary & Reality) - Jordan Joseph

    May 3

    Episode 8: One of SA’s Highest Paying Careers? Actuary Explained (Exams, Salary & Reality) - Jordan Joseph

    The world of actuarial science is one of the most high-paying and intellectually demanding careers in South Africa — but very few people actually understand what actuaries do. In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Joseph, an Actuarial Analyst, to break down everything you need to know about this career. We talk about: What an actuary actually does (in simple terms)The reality behind the salary and why it pays so wellThe 13+ exams required to qualifyHow long it really takes to become an actuaryCareer paths in insurance, banking, investments, and consultingThe skills you need to succeed (beyond just maths)How to get started — even without the perfect backgroundIf you're good with numbers, enjoy problem-solving, and want a career that combines maths, finance, and real-world decision making, this is a must-watch. ASSA - Actuarial Society of South Affricahttps://www.actuarialsociety.org.za/

    1h 1m
  3. Episode 7: I Didn’t Choose IT… It Chose Me - From Township to Tech Leader (Service Delivery Manager) - Banele Ndlovu

    Apr 14

    Episode 7: I Didn’t Choose IT… It Chose Me - From Township to Tech Leader (Service Delivery Manager) - Banele Ndlovu

    In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, we sit down with Banele Ndlovu, a Service Delivery Manager with nearly 20 years of experience in the tech industry.This is not your typical tech story.Banele shares how he went from being unemployed in the township to building a successful career in IT — starting from a learnership he never planned for.We also unpack one of the most overlooked careers in tech: Service Delivery Management — a role that sits at the center of customer experience, systems reliability, and business operations.In this conversation, you will learn:What a Service Delivery Manager actually doesWhy you don’t need to start with your dream jobHow learnerships and graduate programmes can change your lifeThe importance of starting small and building experienceWhy soft skills matter more than you think in techThe real reason systems failing can affect customers in real lifeIf you are trying to break into tech in South Africa, or you feel stuck and unsure where to start — this episode is for you.Chapters02:13 – Why This Career is Overlooked in Tech03:27 – Explaining Service Using Real-Life Examples05:26 – Holding Teams Accountable for Customer Experience06:36 – How Banele Got Into IT (Learnership Story)09:03 – How Learnerships Work in South Africa11:22 – Advice for Young South Africans Starting Out13:03 – Why Your Marks Don’t Define Your Future14:22 – The Mindset That Changed Everything16:02 – From Service Desk to Leadership18:54 – What You Learn at the Service Desk20:58 – Why Soft Skills Matter in Tech Careers23:14 – Starting Small Opens Big Opportunities26:13 – Finding Your Career Path Through Experience31:57 – Why You Must Start at the Bottom36:12 – What a Service Delivery Manager Does Daily40:35 – What Happens When Systems Fail43:03 – Thinking Like the Customer44:12 – Proactive vs Reactive Monitoring47:00 – Leadership vs Technical Skills50:00 – Discovering Leadership Strength53:21 – Why Technical Knowledge Still Matters57:27 – Top Skills You Need for This Career01:03:55 – Advice for Young Professionals01:06:14 – Understanding Value in Business#3SixtyCareers #TechCareersSA #JobsInSouthAfrica #CareerAdvice #ITJobs #GraduateOpportunities

    1h 19m
  4. Episode 6: Ep 6: From Customer Service to IT Support Lead? Here's Exactly How She Did It - Khanyisa Ngamlana

    Apr 6

    Episode 6: Ep 6: From Customer Service to IT Support Lead? Here's Exactly How She Did It - Khanyisa Ngamlana

    In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, we sit down with Khanyisa Ngamlana, an IT Service Desk Access Lead, to unpack one of the most underrated careers in tech — IT Support.Her journey is anything but traditional. From customer service, teaching, and retail… to working in IT without initially planning it — Khanyisa shares how she found her path, built her skills, and grew into a leadership role in tech.We break down:• What IT support and service desk roles actually involve • The skills you need to get started (even without a tech degree) • How to transition into IT from a non-technical background • Why certifications alone are NOT enough • The truth about hiring, internships, and experience in South Africa • How she balances a corporate career with business, music, and writing If you're trying to break into tech in South Africa, or you're feeling stuck in your career — this conversation will open your eyes.Find Khanyisa's Music, Book, and Products Below:Musichttps://open.spotify.com/artist/335g7dDo9Hf7YA85Xcn8hR?si=nSw5JJlLSriPqzgGr3hxzAhttps://youtube.com/channel/UC1SLnqih2wZ-KzWrFV-PavA?si=bXPqdiFquBFwMqNUhttps://music.apple.com/us/album/andinamali-single/1857876257https://share.google/8dMK2KsP5aRdAXZcLCkenzies Boutiquehttps://www.instagram.com/ckenzies_boutique1?igsh=MTY2ZHdoOGh3MnZzNg==Untold : A story of resilience - Bookhttps://share.google/3avG6qKQUEgiKbUlc

    54 min
  5. Episode 5: How to Become a Business Analyst in South Africa - Phumlani Mngxekeza

    Mar 29

    Episode 5: How to Become a Business Analyst in South Africa - Phumlani Mngxekeza

    If you’ve ever wondered what a Business Analyst actually does, this video will change how you see this career completely.In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, I sit down with Phumlani Mngxekeza, a Business Analyst with over 26 years of experience working across major South African companies like Old Mutual, Sanlam, Liberty, and Investec.We break down what a Business Analyst really does, how the role has evolved, and most importantly — how YOU can get into this career, even if you didn’t study IT.This is one of the most in-demand careers in South Africa right now, especially as companies rely more on technology to run their operations.And the truth is — most people don’t fully understand this role.What you’ll learn in this video:• What a Business Analyst actually does (simple explanation)• The difference between business, tech, and customer roles• Real skills you need to succeed as a BA• Common mistakes junior Business Analysts make• How to deal with unclear requirements and stakeholders• How this career has evolved over 26 years• Why communication and curiosity matter more than you thinkChapters01:18 – Introduction to the Podcast & Guest02:12 – 26 Years as a Business Analyst (Career Overview)03:11 – How Business Analysis Has Changed Over Time04:38 – How He Became a Business Analyst (Without Planning It)08:52 – Simple Explanation of a Business Analyst Role10:01 – Business Analyst = Bridge Between Business & Tech12:00 – Biggest Mistakes Business Analysts Make14:02 – Why Communication & Stakeholder Understanding Matters16:53 – How to Survive & Grow as a Beginner Business Analyst20:34 – Waterfall vs Agile Explained (Simple Breakdown)22:29 – Real Challenges Business Analysts Face24:58 – How to Handle Unclear Requirements27:47 – Why Face-to-Face Communication Matters29:01 – Business Analyst in Banking vs Insurance30:48 – What Makes a Strong Business Analyst36:58 – Common Mistakes Junior BAs Make40:57 – From Business Analyst to Product Owner44:03 – Managing Systems vs Managing People47:39 – Skills You Need to Become a Business Analyst#3SixtyCareers #BusinessAnalyst #JobsInSouthAfrica #TechCareersSA #CareerAdviceSA #SouthAfricaJobs

    1h 5m
  6. Episode 4: From NSFAS to Software Engineer: Shaun Masuku’s Journey Into Tech & Graduate Programs (South Africa)

    Mar 22

    Episode 4: From NSFAS to Software Engineer: Shaun Masuku’s Journey Into Tech & Graduate Programs (South Africa)

    In this episode of 3Sixty Careers, we sit down with ShaunMasuku, a Junior Software Engineer and UJ graduate who studied BSc Mathematical Statistics and Computer Science. Shaun shares his journey from Soweto to university, howNSFAS helped fund his degree, how he chose tech based on job demand (not just passion), and how he secured a graduate program in software engineering. We also unpack: How NSFAS really works (N+1 rule explained)When to apply for graduate programsHow to stand out as a junior developerWhy projects matter more than just your degreeThe truth about working as a software engineerHow to network and increase your chances of getting hired in South AfricaIf you're a student, graduate, or someone looking to getinto tech — this episode is packed with practical career advice.

    58 min
  7. Episode 3: How to Become a Test Engineer in South Africa | Automation Testing Explained – Olebogeng Kolwane

    Mar 15

    Episode 3: How to Become a Test Engineer in South Africa | Automation Testing Explained – Olebogeng Kolwane

    Most South Africans know about software developers… but very few understand what a Test Engineer or Automation Tester actually does. In this episode of 3Sixty Careers, I sit down with OlebogengKolwane, a Senior QA Automation Test Engineer, and we break down everything you need to know about a career in software testing and quality assurance. We talk about: • What a test engineer really does daily• The difference between manual testing and automation testing• Black box vs white box testing explained• How to get into testing without a degree• Bootcamps, certifications (ISTQB), and AI tools• Why quality assurance is critical in banks and big companies• The real challenges of working in QA If you're interested in tech jobs in South Africa,especially roles you don’t always hear about, this episode will give youpractical clarity and real direction. This is not theory. This is real career insight for South Africans who want to grow, show up, and get hired. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)https://istqb.org/

    57 min
  8. Episode 2: Software Engineering in South Africa: How to Start, Grow & Become a Contractor - Shalom Malitjane

    Mar 8

    Episode 2: Software Engineering in South Africa: How to Start, Grow & Become a Contractor - Shalom Malitjane

    What does a software engineer actually do every day? And what does it really mean to be a contractor in South Africa?In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, I’m joined by Shalom Malitjane, a software engineer with 14+ years of experience who went from being a developer, to lead engineer, to building his own business SM Astute Technologies where he works with software engineering contractors.Guys, this conversation is practical. We talk about the real skills you need to become a software engineer, what to do if your school did not offer CAT, how to build experience when you have “no experience”, and the honest difference between being a permanent employee vs being a contractor (including benefits, risk, and how tax works).If you’re thinking about software engineering, or you’re already in tech and you want to grow faster, this episode will give you clarity and direction.SM Astute Technologies:https://smastutetech.comcareers@smastutetech.comadmin@smastutetech.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/sm-astute-tech/Watch till the end for Shalom’s advice on mistakes to avoid, the mindset you need, and what he wishes he knew when he started.

    54 min
  9. Episode 1: From the Navy to Head of Data Analytics – Kopano Mokoma’s Career Journey

    Mar 1

    Episode 1: From the Navy to Head of Data Analytics – Kopano Mokoma’s Career Journey

    How do you move from the Navy… to sales… to logistics… and eventually become the Head of Data Modelling and Analytics? In this episode of the 3Sixty Careers Podcast, we sit down with Kopano Mokoma to unpack his real journey into data. We break down the difference between a data analyst, data engineer, and data scientist, what skills you actually need to enter the data space in South Africa, and how to pivot into tech even if you did not start there. If you’re thinking about a career in data, AI, analytics, or you’re stuck in a role that is not aligned to your long-term goal, this conversation will give you clarity. We also discuss: How to transition into data without the “perfect” degreeWhy passion and intentional learning matter more than titlesHow to move from technical roles into leadershipPractical tools you can start using today (SQL, cloud, free labs) This episode is real, practical, and grounded in the South African job market. If this helped you, share it with someone who needs direction in their career.

    53 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The 3Sixty Careers Podcast brings real conversations with real professionals across South Africa. Hosted by Ellek Blom, each episode breaks down different careers, how people actually got into them, the challenges they faced, and the skills that helped them grow. We unpack roles in tech, business, finance and beyond — in simple, practical language. If you want clarity about jobs, salary growth, and real career paths in South Africa, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Ellek Blom
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ellek Blom
  • Show Website
    3Sixty Careers Podcast