When it comes to career choices, not all of us are lucky enough to have pursued passions that pay the bills. Many of us have no other choice but to settle for second-best. So how should you cope with an unamazing job, where you’re not saving the world but at least it’s a means to an end? Should you find joy in the mediocre? Or should you move on – and if so, when and how will you know that it’s time?
In our most recent Iris Session, David O’ Sullivan discussed Finding joy in your job with independent entrepreneur and environmental activist Catherine Constantinides, independent micro-economist and strategist Trudi Makhaya and social entrepreneur Michal “Loopy” Luptak. The conversation was live-streamed via Google Hangouts and here on the Change Exchange, and you can watch the recording below:
David O’ Sullivan is no stranger to the South African media-landscape, having worked at Talk Radio 702 for 19 years and 11 years as a sports presenter on SABC2 and SABC3. He is the co-author of two best-selling books: “The Penguin Book of South African Sports Trivia” and “The Extraordinary Book of South African Cricket”. He covered the Oscar Pistorius Trial on the DSTV’s Channel 199 (“Oscar channel”) and co-hosted the Mnet Sunday evening show, Carte Blanche Legal Round Table in 2014. He regularly MCs corporate events.
Catherine Constantinides is a former Miss Earth SA and Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow. She has many accolades behind her name, including the Top South African Young Woman Entrepreneur award for Women Empowerment in 2013. She is the Co-Founder of the international climate youth network, Generation Earth which works closely with United Nations Environment Programme across Africa. She also is the executive director of Miss Earth SA and the LEAD SA Executive, working on several campaigns and initiatives, and always promoting Active Citizenship in our country.
Trudi Makhaya was Deputy Commissioner at the Competition Commission of South Africa before she decided to take the plunge and become an independent micro-economist and strategist. She represented the Commission at various international forums including the OECD, BRICS, International Competition Network and the African Competition Forum. These days, she’s a regular commentator on radio and television including prime time news and programmes such as Deal Flow (CNBC Africa) and the Justice Factor (eNCA). She blogs at mzansipreneur.com.
Michal “Loopy” Luptak hails from the corporate world where he attained his CA(SA). That’s where he realised there’s more to life than just making money. He’s decided he’ll use his financial skills to change the way people do business. Through collaborative development, innovative partnerships and most importantly sustainability. These days, he is the co-founder and managing director of Dlala Nje, a Johannesburg Inner City Adventures and Cultural Emporium at the base of Ponte City, in the Heart of Hillbrow.
What is an Iris Session?
It is a Google Hangout that you can listen to live via Google+, or later, via YouTube and the Change Exchange site. Each session lasts 30 to 40 minutes and if you are watching live, you can send your questions through to the facilitator via the Hangout page. The facilitator will then bring your questions into the conversation.
Keep an eye on our Events page to ensure you diarise the dates. We looking forward to connecting with you!
If you missed our previous Iris Session on Taking extra care of your special needs family, you can watch the recording here.
Why ‘Iris’? 
Iris is the name of BrightRock’s icon. This was called Iris in reference to eye – which lets in the light – and the Greek goddess of light whose rainbow connected the heavens with the Earth.
These sessions act as digital conversation spaces that we hope will provide you with new perspectives and shed light on the moments of change in your life.
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