Dr. Michael Modiba is a highly accomplished individual in the field of Information Technology (IT), possessing a Ph.D. in Economic & Management Sciences with Business Administration, and a wealth of professional experience. With a strong passion for cutting-edge technologies and a dedication to his work, Dr. Modiba has established himself as a leading authority in the IT industry.
As a leader in the IT field, Dr. Modiba has also mentored and trained many aspiring professionals, helping them to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this rapidly-evolving industry. With his deep understanding of technology and his passion for creating meaningful change, he continues to be a driving force in the world of Information Technology.
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He currently serves as an Oracle Database Infrastructure Lead, responsible for designing and maintaining large-scale database systems. He is highly respected among his peers and is often sought after for his expertise and insights. Through his work, Dr. Modiba has not only advanced the field of IT but has also played a significant role in shaping the way we interact with technology in our daily lives.
1. What qualifications do you hold?
I hold a few qualifications namely:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. ) in Economic & Management Sciences with Business Administration, North West University, Thesis: “A Digital Transformation Framework for South African Financial Service Providers”.
- BSc (Hons) Degree in Digital Technology – Cum Laude, Technological University, Dublin Ireland.
- Magister Technologiae (MTech) Information Networks, Tshwane University of Technology
- Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech Degree) Information Technology Communication Networks – Cum Laude, Tshwane University of Technology.
- National Diploma in Information Technology Communication Networks, Tshwane University of Technology.
2. What does your job entail (day- to-day-activities)?
I spend a significant amount of time in meetings with stakeholders and members of my team; I lead a team of Oracle database cloud engineers, and we are responsible for deploying and supporting databases on-prem and cloud environments. We work on a variety of projects; therefore, my role is to lead the team, support the team, ensure plans and schedules for various activities are in place, engage vendors, provide solutions to customer problems, and ensure engineers follow and apply best engineering practices.
3. What is the most challenging thing about your job?
For starters, inheriting a team is challenging on its own. You are hired into an established team and must produce results with that team. Also, managing multiple personalities, communication styles, and work habits is one of the most difficult aspects of leading a team. Each team member has their own set of talents and weaknesses, and it is my responsibility as a leader to balance their needs while also fostering a healthy and productive team culture. Furthermore, dealing with conflicts and solving difficulties, as well as delivering constructive feedback and keeping the team motivated and engaged, can be difficult.
4. What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
The most satisfying aspect of leading a team is witnessing the team’s growth and success. It is highly satisfying for me and the team members when a team works effectively together and achieves its goals. Mentoring and assisting team members to attain their full potential and achieve their own goals is rewarding. To become a strong leader, one has to inspire personal and professional growth, and it’s really rewarding to see the team members improve and prosper under my leadership. Finally, earning the respect and admiration of my teammates is quite rewarding in and of itself.
“To become a strong leader, one has to inspire personal and professional growth”
Dr Michael Modiba
5. Why did you choose this career path?
Growing up, I wanted to be a medical doctor, but that changed when my aunt, who worked for a white family back then, they gave her a laptop and a pair of soccer boots. She then gave them to me, and that’s when I found a computer fascinating, and I thought to myself, “I’d like to study computers.” I couldn’t play soccer because my parents were both educators, and they insisted that I focus on school rather than anything else, so when I went to varsity, I chose IT as a career because of the fascination sparked by the laptop my aunt brought home.
6. What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry?
I work in the banking sector’s operations section, which is both fascinating and challenging. One thing that an outsider would not know is the work done in the background to bring services to customers; we work long hours, not 8am-5pm as people think, and we work very late at night to ensure the bank is operational and customers can transact; most system changes/updates are done late at night or early in the morning. Be prepared to work long hours. It’s always delightful to see our systems online all of the time.
7. How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do now?
Mmmmm, a 10-year-old me would be fascinated by the IT world today, especially because the world is becoming increasingly digital, and I believe I would already be more interested in technology and computers, as I was when my aunt gave me an old laptop to play with. I’d be astounded by the widespread usage of smartphones, Wi-Fi, and tablets, as well as how individuals have instant access to limitless knowledge.
In comparison to my childhood playing more traditional games with friends, I would be more interested in the use of video calls, streaming, gaming, and virtual reality technology, as well as the enormous number of gadgets that are now available.
8. What career advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self don’t be hesitant to seek assistance from those in your field. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance or guidance when you need it. There is no shame in seeking assistance, and it is frequently the most effective method to overcome difficulties and achieve success. We fail constantly in life, whether it’s falling short of a personal goal, or failing to fulfill the expectations at work or school. Thomas Edison famously failed over 1000 times before succeeding in creating a long-lasting lightbulb. It is through failure that we learn from our mistakes, adapt our approach, and return better and stronger the next time. Always ask for help from those in your field and learn from their mistakes and yours.
9. What’s one work-related thing you want to accomplish this year?
There is a lot of buzz about banks moving services to a public cloud, and I’d like to finish my cloud certifications this year. I’ve completed one foundation course and hope to finish the next level this year, as well as SRE (Site reliability engineering) certification. Because of the rapid advancement of technology, the banking industry, like many others, necessitates continuous learning.
10. When you started your current job, what most surprised you?
The complexity of systems and technology with the bank, as well as the amount of backend work required to provide services to customers, I began to appreciate banking, as it is not as simple as it appears that ATMs and branches simply run without technology challenges. They say that not knowing is dangerous, and I agree; as humans, we often reason with emotions rather than comprehend how things function.
11. If money were no object, what would you do with your life?
I’ve been to a few places throughout the world, and I have appreciated and cherished the experience; so, I’d tour the world. I thoroughly loved my stay in Spain and France. Traveling the world would undoubtedly be at the top of my priority list, places like Portugal and Italy to name a few.
12. Have you heard of an Emergency Fund? Do you, have it?
Yes, I’ve heard about it, and I have some emergency savings plans. I follow the 70% & 30% rule, which means that I save roughly 30% of my income for rainy days and this principle has helped me to start a student accommodation business too.
Read: Why you need an emergency fund
13. Four financial lessons every kid should know?
- Budgeting: Learn how to make and follow a budget. Understanding the concept of necessities vs wants, means some things require time to save up for.
- Saving: From a young age, learn about the value of saving money. Understand how interest works and how to develop a savings plan for your short and long-term goals.
- Debt: Learn about the perils of debt and how to prevent them. Understand the difference between good and bad debt.
- Investing: Learn about the fundamentals of investing, such as risk and return, diversification, and the importance of the stock market.
Read: How to improve your financial literacy skills
14. If you could do it all over again, would you pursue the same career? Why or why not?
For me, the choice would still be between IT and medicine; perhaps if I hadn’t been intrigued by a laptop at a young age, but I believe I would have become a medical doctor if the technology bug hadn’t bitten me. However, more technology is increasingly being used in the medical field, with artificial intelligence (AI) being a prime example.
15. Do you think your job will be around in the next ten years or in the future?
Yes, I believe lead engineering roles will be around for a long time, although the role might be called something else in the future. The reason for such roles is that machines lack emotions, empathy, and leadership abilities, to mention a few. As a result, humans will be required to fill roles that require such talents. Leading requires understanding that people differ and that varied approaches are required; not one size fits all.
Bonus question
How do you feel about black tax?
Concerning the so-called “black tax,” there are opposing views. Personally, I believe that the black tax reflects a strong sense of need to support families, and if one is in a position to aid others, I do so without hesitation, and I believe it is critical to contribute to the progress of my family and community in any manner that I can. There is no shame in assisting if you are able; many individuals require assistance. The economy is awful, and power outages exacerbate the situation.
Connect here:
LinkedIn: Dr. Michael Modiba
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