Meet Jeremy Pienaar, legal advisor at the VKB group.
What does a legal advisor do?
At the office we start our day with a prayer and coffee.
For the rest of the day I mainly deal with contracts, legal documents, and providing legal advice to stakeholders as well as lots of research to stay abreast of current development in the industry
This is a very legal orientated career, but a lot of research and drafting goes into this position as well.
What qualification do you need for this career?
I have an LLB degree from North-Western University. An LLB is the main degree you need in order to qualify as a legal advisor.
What are the character traits you need to be great at your job?
You need to have patience, be a good listener, have good communication skills, and also have high ethical standards, because this career requires you to be honest with your clients at all times.
Did you take specific studies in high school that helped you to get into this career?
I know you need Afrikaans, English and Mathematics, but I would recommend to research the current requirements for this degree at the different universities that offer it or where you are planning to go study.
Have you always worked in the agriculture sector?
I grew up in an agri environment, it’s been my life and my home from the start.
I find the agriculture industry to be an important sector in providing food security and plays a big role in our day to day livelihoods in South Africa.
Don’t be modest, tell us about your proudest career moments?
The day that I obtained my degree, having persevered through those four years and taking a photo with my dad with my degree in hand.
Then being admitted as an attorney after passing my board exams, which set my career on the path where it is today.
Any advice for young people who are inspired by your career story?
Believe in yourself. You are the creator of your path. As long as you believe in yourself, and your capabilities as an individual, while at the same time being able to take constructive criticism and build on it, you will be successful in whichever path you choose for yourself.
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