4 July 2024
Written by Jürgen Möller
"The best investment you can make is to Invest in yourself. The more you learn, the more you’ll earn," said American businessman, investor, and philanthropist Warren Buffett. Our very own Head of Investments, Jürgen Möller, embodies these wise words.
Jürgen Möller, the Head of Department: Investments at Milpark has a somewhat complicated relationship with technology — he both hates it and loves it. But he has found a way to make it work for him. When it comes to giving students advice on their studies, he shares another lesson he has learnt: the importance of believing in yourself so you can invest in yourself.
I grew up in Durbanville, Cape Town. I’m the eldest son of four children, and it’s always been a childhood dream of mine to work with computers. I initially enrolled for a BComm in Computer Science at Stellenbosch University, and quite frankly I had no idea that my path to investments would have already been carved and crafted for me.
I find the greatest pleasure in learning all sorts of things. You would constantly find me reading up on new ideas, innovation and general development. I deem myself a bit of a curious cat who loves taking things apart. I would spend hours on YouTube trying to figure out how to fix them.
Also, despite me enjoying working with technology, I own very little tech myself. I don’t have the latest smartphone because I can’t stand the constant noise of notifications. But there are other ways of checking email and keeping in touch!
I absolutely enjoy it, and although it gets incredibly busy at times, the diverse experience is something you cannot buy over the counter. Because we’re here to support our students the most
rewarding part is when a student approaches you at the end of the semester or year to thank you for the positive impact you've had on their lives. That, to me, is tremendously special.
It is certainly a lot of responsibility, because leading a team means needing to support them. For me, it’s still quite a learning curve – I’ve only been HOD for a year – and I think I need to be open to the fact that things won’t always be perfect.
You’ll make mistakes, but I try to improve every day. I think the most important thing is that if you’re there for the team, they’ll be there for you.
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I initially aspired to work in the investment industry after graduating from university. However, I struggled with selling myself effectively, so I ended up working in IT. After a few years, I seized an opportunity to join a startup in the investment sector with some acquaintances from university.
This transition required us to hit the ground running and adapt quickly. Working with private clients and delving into asset management introduced me to a whole new way of thinking. This experience also led me to connect with individuals from Milpark. I started working for them on a contract basis before securing a full-time position with them in early 2023.
I would prioritize fixing the education system itself because education is incredibly empowering. It's about enabling people to help themselves. The biggest issue in this country is that individuals are coming from a flawed education system and are not equipped with the skills necessary for the modern workplace.
This creates a cycle: employers have to elevate their employees to the required level, and individuals struggle to achieve their full potential. Obviously, this impacts businesses across the country, which in turn affects our country's growth. And we definitely need growth.
After thinking properly about it, I want to be on a train touring through all the small towns in Switzerland. The country has beautiful landscapes.
Believe in yourself. If you struggle and fail the first time, don’t see that as a failure. Learn from your mistakes and get them right the next time. And reach out to your lecturers for support! We’re not here to try catch you out. We’re really here to help.
Jürgen Möller's journey and insights underscore a powerful message: Invest in yourself. As Jürgen highlights, believing in your potential and continuously learning are keys to personal and professional growth. Milpark Education offers you the opportunity to follow this advice. By enrolling in our programs, you can gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your chosen field. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; take action now and start investing in your future. Apply now at Milpark Education and take the first step towards unlocking your full potential. Invest in yourself today, and reap the rewards tomorrow.