Vinolia encourages teens to work during the school holiday
The 27-year-old freelance marketing and PR manager says holiday work helps develop skills which could be useful in adulthood.
POLOKWANE – Vinolia Masera (27) has always had a passion for the marketing industry.
From a young age, the TUT marketing graduate from Flora Park flourishes in her roles as freelance marketing and PR manager, and Editor of the Polokwane based teen-centred publication, Volt Magazine.
“I got my first job at the age of 17 when I was in Grade 11 where I worked at a restaurant at Savannah Mall. I guess that’s when the “hustle” began. I went job hunting simply because I wanted to make extra money,” she explains.
Vinolia managed her work at a coffee shop at the mall and her studies, as she transitioned from Grade 11 to Grade 12 during that time. “Juggling school and work wasn’t easy, but I somehow managed to juggle my academics, sports and my weekend waitressing job. I was at school from Monday to Friday, had netball practice after school then went home to do house chores and homework. Saturday and Sunday morning, I would be at work from 07:00 until 15:00,” she continues. Vinolia says she earned her income through tips but made enough so she never had to ask her parents for money and could afford school lunches, trips to the hair salon and outings with friends.
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She has since been a product promoter, personal assistant and currently runs a company with a close friend ad says because her experience is so diverse, she understands what it means to be a “hustler”.
She says she learned how to strike a balance between the many activities which she was engaged in from a young age and now knows how to multitask as a result. “In between my school work and my paying job, I was volunteering as an academic mentor and a residence ambassador at the residence I was staying at. I am still not sure how I managed to work 3 different jobs, have a social life and still get my qualification in record time. It is with such dedicated work ethics and passion that I managed to pursue my passions wholeheartedly also working at a young age instilled a new confidence in me and a sense of responsibility. I learned hard work, networking and people skills as well as a sense of responsibility”.
“I would definitely advise young people to start working at an early age because it will help them develop a lot of skills which will definitely be useful in their adulthood” she concluded.
