WATCH: Ford SA boss visits St Dunstan’s College
During his visit at St Dunstan's College, he encouraged learners to show up and apply themselves in whatever path they choose.
The President of Ford Motor Company Africa, Neale Hill took a few hours from his busy schedule on May 3 to inspire St Dunstan’s College business studies learners about how to build a brighter future for South Africa.
Packed into the school’s auditorium, learners showed determination and positivity while listening to Hill’s thought-provoking talk about the future of the workplace and his life experiences.
Hill, who started his career at Ford as an intern more than 20 years ago, was appointed President of Ford Motor Company Africa on October 1, 2021. The Centurion resident leads the company’s strategic drive to transform and modernise Ford’s business across the African continent.
He also serves on the boards of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and Ford Financial Services South Africa.
During his motivational talk he cautioned learners to remain true to themselves when choosing careers.
“If you persevere on something you are not passionate or committed to, it will show through your attitude and on your approach on how you work. Throughout my career I realised that if you don’t like what you do, you not going to put your heart and soul into it.
“You are not going to have life’s satisfaction and enjoyment which will then result on how your career progresses and where you go.”
The 55-year-old said looking back at his 33 years of experience in the workplace, he changed jobs every two and a half years.
“It was never jobs I applied for but jobs that I was offered to grow my career.
“If you put in effort and your attitude is right in your line of work, opportunities will open themselves up and people will want to invest in you, personally, and in your career progression.”
He further added that in today’s environment, a lot of people come into organisations with unrealistic expectation when it comes to career progression.
“They think they can master the industry, become CEO’s or manager of that company in few years, however, it doesn’t always work that way.
“It takes longer, as it comes with a lot of life lessons and hard work that goes into making your career a success.”
Furthermore, he said he always encourages people who are starting a job to not say ‘that’s not in my job scope’.
“Doing things outside what you would normally do presents an opportunity to learn, gain experience and to show your willingness to make a difference.
“What I’ve observed throughout the years is that attitude is what drives and makes a difference between people who succeed in their careers and those who don’t. It’s important to think about the career you choose or how you are going to grow your experience in your work.”
He encouraged learners to think about going into technical or trade fields.
“Not everyone is cut out to be a doctor or an accountant – think about where your passion lies. It important to do what you love and love what you doing. You are going to spend a lot of time working and if you’re unhappy with what you are doing, you will be very miserable.
“If you understand why you are doing something everything will fall into place and it becomes easy.”
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