In 1984, when I was 16 years old, I had the opportunity to take computer science as an additional school subject. The classes were presented after regular school hours, and this opportunity opened up the new world of computers to me. The following year, I made up my mind to study computer science at university, and that set me on the path for a career in IT.
For 27 years my focus was on the software development life cycle (SDLC) as a developer/programmer/software engineer, and I was very fortunate that I had the opportunities to perform all the applicable roles in the SDLC. But still, I felt a bit restless, and I decided it was now or never to make a move. Time for something new, a new challenge.
So, a few years ago, at age 49, I decided to change careers and move into audit/assurance. The process of how to assess process implementation: obtaining, reviewing and evaluating the evidence, and everything related to it, spoke to me. To be an auditor, you need to be analytical, preferably very curious, and be able to pay attention to detail. And that is what I like most! When I mentioned the possible career change to colleagues and friends, some people told me straight to my face that I was too old to make the switch and should aim for something more realistic and achievable. Luckily, when I make up my mind to do something, I stick to it. Negative and discouraging comments only inspire me to achieve my goals. I discussed the career change with my husband and children, and they supported my decision.
In retrospect, I am very grateful for the career change I made. It was one of the best decisions of my life. I joined ISACA, purchased the CISA manual, and started studying. Toward the end of 2017, an information systems auditor position became vacant at the company where I work, and I was able to start in the audit department in 2018. Over the next two years, I passed the CISA exam, and the three exams needed for the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor). In January 2020, I obtained my CISA and CIA designations. What started as a dream three years earlier became a reality. During the COVID-19 lockdown period in Namibia, I started working toward the CISM, and I plan to take the exam later this year.
This has all been a really interesting journey. I work full-time, have children at university and one still in high school, and somehow must make time to study. But it is all about doing a little bit every day. It is no use studying eight hours on a Saturday and the next two weeks doing nothing. A dedicated 45 minutes to an hour every day will get you to your goal, slowly but surely.
I am ambitious about my career but still make time for my many hobbies. Using YouTube videos, I taught myself to crochet and started making shawls and small tablecloths until I made my first blanket. Since then, I am hooked and focus on making blankets, mostly double-bed, sometimes smaller. It takes an average of 3 to 4 months to complete a double-bed blanket. I do this in the evenings and over weekends. It seems like a major task to complete, but the same principle applies as with studying: do a little bit every day, and then next thing you see, it is all done! Sometimes I am amazed at how stunning the end results are. It is like magic. The same pattern, different colors, and it looks totally different!
Below is the most recent one that I completed during our lockdown. I enjoy trying new patterns with new stitches, so this is also a form of continuous learning! With every blanket, I come across something I have never done before. These patterns have specific names given to them by the designers. The one below is called Sacred Space.