From Chevening Scholar to Capitec Bank: Yentel's Story

A desire for life-long learning

“I completed my bachelor’s degree in graphic design in 2015. My passion for art led me to explore different avenues within the visual communications field. I worked as a graphic designer for a marketing agency in Johannesburg, South Africa. Here, I designed campaigns for organisations in Japan, I worked in PR for a company based in Hong Kong and then served as a social media strategist for an organisation based in Australia.  

I have always valued life-long education and after completing several years in industry, I decided to explore studying a master’s degree. My grandfather was the first black diplomat appointed to the South African Embassy in London where he made significant contributions to the fight against the apartheid. Inspired by his legacy, I chose to study in the UK to leverage its advanced resources and networks for social transformation.

I was drawn to the University of Salford primarily because it is the only university in the UK offering Media Psychology as a dedicated master’s. Additionally, I was attracted to the opportunity to study at the university’s vibrant MediaCity campus which is next to industry giants like the ITV and BBC. I also applied for the competitive and prestigious Chevening Scholarship and was thrilled to be awarded the scholarship.”

My time at Salford

“MSc Media Psychology gave me hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies which has effectively equipped me with the skills needed to excel in the field. My favourite module was ‘Digital Experience’ which focused on user experience (UX), the area I wanted to work in. We were taught innovative approaches such as the Retrospective Thinking Aloud Method combined with eye-tracking tools. I felt this gave me a unique perspective and an edge in the job market.

During my time at Salford, I found a job in a marketing agency through the Advantage platform. This provided me with an invaluable experience of marketing in the UK and how the strategies used differ compared with South Africa. This opportunity broadened my perspectives on different marketing approaches and diversified my skills.

I was also able to join the Global Black Girl Tech Summit through Salford’s Advantage platform. The summit provided an opportunity to network with representatives from global companies including Amazon. I was also able to connect with different women at various stages of their careers and I have remained in contact with them as a support network.

My favourite part of living in Salford was being close to the city making it easy to explore my surroundings. This also created a lot of potential for networking with the media companies located in Manchester and near the campus at MediaCity. The vibrant city life and proximity to industry professionals made my experience truly enriching.

I also received wellbeing support from askUS, the university’s support team, during my time at Salford as I navigated the loss of a loved one whilst adapting to being away from home studying. Salford provided invaluable support helping me through this challenging period. Their assistance made a significant difference in my ability to cope and continue with my studies.”

Taking my steps

“I graduated in 2022 and initially, upon my return to South Africa, I decided to continue freelancing for the same network I worked with before my time in the UK. I then decided to transition to a full-time position and found my current role within six months. I am currently a Client Experience/User Experience Designer for Capitec Bank, South Africa’s largest retail bank in Stellenbosch. I relocated for this position, and it has been the best decision I have made because it has been everything I want and more.

My advice for any other international students considering Salford would be to research thoroughly, utilise the university’s resources, be kind to yourself… and pack light (you’ll be able to easily find anything you can’t bring when you’re here)!”