Fierdous Achmat
Fierdous grew up in Colorado Park in Mitchell's Plain. She is a mental health Occupational Therapist (OT) with a special interest in trauma and eating disorders currently working at Centre of Psychotherapy Excellence (COPE) while also running a thriving private practice. Fierdous is currently pursuing further education as a group analyst at the Centre of Group Analytics Studies.
How old were you when you decided to pursue your current career path and what inspired you?
Initially, I considered a career in engineering, driven by my love for mathematics and
a desire to meet my parents' expectations. However, I quickly realized that engineering wasn't
the right fit for me, as I am naturally more inclined towards working with people. Frequent comments on my enthusiasm for helping others ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in occupational therapy.
Did you ever get help with career guidance? Any mentor(s) and what role did they play?
During my school years, I frequently discussed career options with my teachers. It was
actually my physical sciences teacher who first mentioned occupational therapy to me.
Unfamiliar with the field at the time, I decided to research it after leaving engineering and
found myself quite intrigued by what I discovered.
What challenges did you face (or are facing) / had to overcome in your journey?
Growing up was challenging for me, especially after my parents went through a messy divorce.
As the youngest of four children, we were all deeply affected by this, and I didn’t have many
prospects at the time. I had a strict father who’s attention was elsewhere and while he could
afford to, he often had the belief that as kids we needed to work to earn our own way. During
school, I constantly asked myself “what if,” though I feared getting my hopes up due to the
potential disappointment. After deciding to leave engineering, I took a leap of faith and secured
a student loan for my first year. Subsequently, I worked hard to obtain bursaries for the
remainder of my studies. It was a tough period, but I motivated myself with small pep talks,
and today, I feel truly blessed.
What has been your biggest driver/motivator?
I can honestly say that my pain became my greatest
motivation. I was determined to create better circumstances for myself and my future
children, ensuring they wouldn't have to go through what I did. I made a deliberate choice to
turn my adversity into an advantage. Furthermore, through developing a passion in the field,
I was inspired to be part of something greater. I wanted to contribute to change, and being
involved in others' healing felt incredibly rewarding. Looking back on the opportunities I have
had in my career, I feel truly privileged to be part of others' journeys.
What advice or key learning points from your journey would you like people to take onto theirs?
Life can be incredibly challenging, and it's often difficult to see beyond our current
circumstances. After spending a lot of time reflecting on my past, my advice to today's youth
is not to give up, make use of your resources. Although it's tough, you need to put in the
effort and reach out, ask for help. Keep pushing forward—the life you desire is out there,
waiting for you to seize it.
Any advice for a young person from a rural area / township who currently has no clue where to even start when choosing a career path?
Choosing a career path can be intimidating, but it’s something you can achieve. Often, family
and friends suggest what we should or could do. I challenge you to take a moment to
consider what truly makes you happy. If you’re still unsure, research your interests, read up
on different fields, volunteer, and talk to people who can offer various perspectives. By
putting yourself out there, you’ll eventually feel it. When you discover what gives you a sense
of purpose, you’ll know it, but you must be proactive!