​Jethro Georgiades enjoys working with students because they motivate him to remain adaptable and open to new ways of doing things. He works at the Centre for Student Communities as coordinator of the Private Student Organisation (PSO), a structure that supports SU students living in private accommodation.

In the month of Workers' Day, we feature some of our staff and their part in keeping the wheels turning at our institution. Georgiades answered our questions about a day in his life at SU.

What is your role at Stellenbosch University?

I coordinate five of the PSO communities and spend a lot of time with these students. We also invest a lot of time and energy into maximising the support and opportunities offered to commuter students both on and off our various campuses.

What does a typical day at work look like?

Working with students means that you have to be in a constant state of flux to remain adaptable and open to new ways of doing things. We work with a whole host of internal and external stakeholders to maximise commuter students' access to opportunities. Our work ranges from putting plans in place for more infrastructure and facilities such as hubs and student centres, to ensuring better mobility around campus, such as parking and shuttles. We even give students access to developmental opportunities, supporting them to enter the working world equipped with the soft skills they need to thrive.

How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this job? 

I studied at SU from 2010 to 2014. During this time, I became involved in student leadership. It was during my year as prim of my PSO that I gained insight into the institutional work surrounding student leadership and community building at SU. I then spent two years working at the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development as a programme coordinator. In 2016, the PSO Office was established in Student Affairs' Centre for Student Communities, and I was appointed.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at Stellenbosch University?

I don't like monotony or repetition. The nature of my work and the support of my line manager and director mean that I can bring my personality and ideas into my work. Our division is a positive space, where creativity is encouraged and supported. Having worked at SU for five years, I am still meeting colleagues from divisions that I never even knew existed. This means that our work always remains exciting, as I get to collaborate with people doing amazing things in so many different fields. In addition, we get to work closely with a wide range of students. Many of these students are such inspirational people who keep us motivated and on our toes, and teach us a lot. Their energy is infectious and inspires me when things get tough.  

The pandemic has changed the way we work and live. What keeps you motivated during these times?

Knowing that the pandemic has affected a lot of people in terrible ways, I feel I have been blessed beyond measure. My family has remained healthy, I have been well supported at work, and even learned that we could shift a lot of what we do into the virtual space. For a while, we had been saying that certain aspects of our work would be more efficient and effective in a virtual space, but we never got around to making the shift. Through collaboration with staff and students, we managed to pilot multiple initiatives in 2020, which worked well and have now become central to the way we do things. A hybrid model has allowed us to be more inclusive where, before, time and distance were often inhibiting.

Tell us something about you that few people would expect/something exciting that few people know about you?

I was born in Cyprus to a Cypriot dad and a South African mom. I am lucky that I was able to grow up experiencing both countries, and have lived in South Africa since I was eight years old. I am an absolute ocean fanatic and am fascinated by anything to do with the sea. My hobbies are surfing, scuba diving, spearfishing, freediving, and just being at the beach. I am also chairperson of the Maties Underwater Club, which is a phenomenal organisation. Not only is it a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) five-star scuba centre, but it also offers opportunities to freedive, spearfish, and engage in ocean conservation and awareness programmes.