North-West University (NWU) alumnus Marelie Botha was recently honoured as the Emerging Psychologist of the Year at the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa (SIOPSA) Presidential Merit Awards held at the Wanderers Club, Johannesburg.
SIOPSA is a member-based, non-profit organisation established to enhance the industrial and organisational psychology profession in South Africa. These awards are held annually in recognition and celebration of excellence in industrial and organisational psychology.
This accolade stands as a testament to Marelie’s exceptional contributions to the field of industrial psychology. She says receiving the award was a tremendous honour and represents the collective hard work of those dedicated to driving change.
"Receiving the award is a testament to my efforts in advancing the field of industrial psychology. Professionally, it validates the contributions I strive to make within the industry. Personally, it is a recognition of the perseverance and dedication required to overcome the numerous challenges in this field, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence," she says.
Marelie's journey has been characterised by perseverance, hard work, and a tireless commitment to advancing the field of industrial psychology. Throughout her career, she has been a champion of addressing key challenges faced by emerging industrial-organisational psychologists.
Her efforts, alongside like-minded individuals, led to the establishment of an interest group aimed at tackling issues such as unclear registration processes and limited internship opportunities. This collaborative initiative has fostered a more supportive environment for emerging professionals in the field.
Marelie has carved a path of success through sheer determination. Her dedication to the industry is further reflected in her role as the chairperson of the Assessment Centre Study Group, chairperson and exco member at SIOPSA, and project manager of the SIOPSA Learning Academy.
Influenced by her family's deep roots in psychology, with her grandfather and mother being renowned industrial psychologists, Marelie's career path in this field was a natural progression.
Her dedication and hard work eventually led her to establish Inpsyght Consulting, a thriving business specialising in talent management solutions and workplace counselling.
Marelie grew up in Vanderbijlpark and completed her undergraduate, honours, and master's degrees at the NWU's Vanderbijlpark Campus. During her studies, she sought opportunities to job shadow and assist industrial psychologists in administrative tasks.
During her master's studies, she worked as a psychometrist and began her journey as an industrial psychology intern. "The path to registration in our field is tough, so I took over my mom's consultancy and turned it into a successful business specialising in talent management and workplace counselling. It was a challenging journey, working around 17-18 hours a day, but it all paid off in the end," she explains.
She counsels aspiring industrial psychologists to prioritise continual learning and evidence-based practices.
“Building a robust professional network, staying up-to-date with industry advancements, seeking mentorship, and fostering a supportive environment are crucial for success. Additionally, maintaining resilience and adaptability is key, as the journey to becoming a registered industrial psychologist can be demanding but immensely rewarding,” she says.
Marelie Botha
