2024 Career Update Handbook by University of the Western Cape

Navigate your future

Ifyou’reready forthe future, we’re ready foryou.

Present: Student Future: Data Scientist

Join FNB’s Grad Programme andget thehands-on supportyouneed to navigateyourown personal career path, challenge yourself, learn and make a positive differenceto the people andworld around you.Because atFNB, AIis driving the advancement and personalisation ofbanking, giving more SouthAfricansthe help they really need.

Atlegang Lebeloane

Co-constructors of success

WELCOME TO THE 22ND EDITION OF UWC CAREER UPDATE. This Handbook is part of the arsenal in our students’ job search as they prepare for the world of work.

We thank the recruiters, without whose contribution, this publication would not have been possible. We are asked why we continue to publish this Handbook. Our response is that our department forms part of the UWC Student Development and Support (SDS) division and as such we embrace the SDS slogan “learn. become. thrive”. We love it when we see students realise that their university experience can be more than just a time to gain a qualiﬁcation but also a journey of immense growth and development beyond the conﬁnes of the lecture room. Our goal remains to expose students to opportunities that encourage agency and empower them to see themselves as co-constructors of their success.

The year thus far has been very exciting. It has many déjà vu moments…going back to 2015 when we were customising and preparing for the launch of our careers service management portal, which many of you know as UWC “Career Xplora” and the realisation of a ten-year dream. Behind the scenes of our annual endeavours lies another project and the realisation of a greater dream…the redesign and refurbishment of offices at UWC Career Services.

Career Services is not the sole driver of student graduateness, employability and job readiness. In this edition of Career Update, we showcase how the UWC co-curricular space has provided our students with the opportunities to develop the necessary graduate attributes and how to maximise the job search preparation resources available to you. Our team remains steadfast in helping you plan for and navigate the rigours of the job search.

From the Ed Team

From the top: Nazrana Parker, Natalie Thomas, Imrah Dramat and Bridgetti Mashabane.

Acknowledgements

Career Update is produced by Career Services, University of the Western Cape.

Editors: Nazrana Parker, Natalie Thomas,

Bridgetti Mashabane and Imrah Dramat.

Subbing, design & layout: Kult Creative.

Printing: Fingerprint Worker's Co-operative Ltd.

Thank you to all the writers and participants. Career Update, Aug 2024.

Telephone: 021 959 2436.

Email: cdp@uwc.ac.za.

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and writers and do not necessarily represent nor reﬂect the views of the University of the Western Cape. All rights reserved. Articles may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted with written permission of the copyright holder.

Content

Preparing for the Future!

UWC Career Xplora’s Mission and Impact

A Journey in Student Support

An Interview with Prof Matete Madiba

Embracing Co-Curricular Activities at University

From Athlone to the World

My Journey in Psychology and the Cruise Line Industry

Charting Your Course

Interview with an Astrophysicist

Careers in Radio and Media

Wall of Fame

Pioneering Futures

Student Entrepreneurship at UWC

Unlocking Entrepreneurial Human Capital Igniting Entrepreneurial Careers

10 Reasons to use the new CV and Letter of Motivation Toolkit

Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Proﬁle

A Step-by-Step Guide

Dating: Where every moment matters…

Can I get a job without having my actual degree?

10 Reasons why you should use the UWC Career Xplora Mock Interview Tool

4 reasons why you should join the UWC Alumni Network

Coming in 2025

FOR THE Career Xplora’s Mission and Impact

by Natalie Thomas and Nazrana Parker

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT WITH CAREER SERVICES IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH The increased visibility of our services is evident through the access to the UWC Career Xplora portal and our ongoing efforts to make student job search preparedness as stress-free as possible.

Our tagline of ‘Be prepared for the future’ encourages early student contemplation and agency regarding the rigours of the job search in this volatile economic climate. UWC Career Xplora portal provides a safe online space for our students to explore career options, engage with industry and prepare for their job search journey as they transcend into the world of work.

We achieved another milestone in 2023, we saw our student log-ins onto the UWC Career Xplora portal surpass 60,000 student logins,

with our highest monthly number of users (12,000+) seen in the Career Xpo Month. This rate of student traffic and employer event participation continued into 2024. We have once again been nominated in the Top 3 Career Services at a University by the South African Graduate Employers Association. Employers have acknowledged the value we bring to marketing their opportunities to our students and how we keep abreast with market trends within our service offerings. Through this portal we continue to facilitate options for employers to build relationships with our students. UWC Career Xplora continues to be listed on the UWC VPN list to ensure that our students save on data costs while participating in their job search activities. After all, it should not cost money to search for a job!

So how have our students been utilising UWC Career Xplora?

STUDY LEVELCOMPLETE YOUR PROFILE (DIFFICULT OR EASY)

FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR

YEAR

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA

HONOURS

MASTERS

PHD

ALUMNUS

CAN'T SAYDIFFICULT

EXTREMELY DIFFICULT

WHICH TOOLS OF THE SYSTEM HAVE YOU USED?

(CV) RESUME BUILDER

CAREER SERVICE EVENTS - CAREERS XPO

CAREER SERVICE EVENTS - GRADUATE RECRUITMENT

CAREER SERVICE EVENTS - WORKSHOPS

CV REVIEW & RECEIVED FEEDBACK

'SYMPLICITY JOBS AND CAREERS' APP

EMPLOYER DIRECTORY

JOB BOARD

MOCK INTERVIEW TOOL

JOB SEARCH RESOURCES

Some comments about the CV review and feedback experience:

THE CV TOOLKIT HELPS US understand the importance of attracting employers to our most marketable graduate attributes.

CAREER XPLORA IS AN EYE-OPENER for me, I’ve been struggling to get into the job market with my current CV. I was unaware of the effective use of Career Xplora.

Now I have received assistance with the review of my CV, and gained exposure to relevant future employers and related career service events, especially graduate recruitment and the career expo.

Workshops and Graduate Recruitment Events

THEY HELPED ME UNDERSTAND what’s needed for creating a good CV and LoM, gave a brief of which companies UWC is partnered with and what they expect, emphasised the importance of attending career services events and guided us on how to approach and engage company representatives.

IT HAS BETTERED MY LIFE by building my networks, learning more about job experiences and learning what work-life requires.

THESE EVENTS COME IN HANDY, especially with the rate of unemployment we are facing once we leave university.

CAREER SERVICE EVENTSCAREER GRADUATE RECRUITMENT

CAREER SERVICE EVENTS - CAREER XPO

‘CAREERS BY SYMPLICITY' APP

CV REVIEW & RECEIVED FEEDBACK

EMPLOYER DIRECTORY

JOB BOARD

MOCK INTERVIEW

JOB SEARCH RESOURCES

RESUME BUILDER

How has Career Xplora enhanced your Job Search experience?

AS A GRADUATE, I still have the opportunity to access the system to ﬁnd jobs from different employers.

CAREER XPLORA enhanced my job search experience by offering a comprehensive platform that provides personalised career guidance, job matching based on skills and preferences, and access to a wide range of job opportunities from various industries and companies.

IT IMPROVES MY JOB SEARCH by providing employers who are currently looking to hire suitable candidates and have existing work opportunities.

CAREER XPLORA GAVE ME THE TOOLS, especially drafting my CV, in order to promote myself better to prospective employers. It has also provided ‘in the now’ job alerts so graduates can timely send applications.

IT HAS ENCOURAGED ME to be strategic about how I prepare myself for the world of work. There are many opportunities that I can easily get if I prepare well.

Sikelela Thalitha Gaya

Law student, Sociology (Honours) graduate, Peer Facilitator, Postgraduate Peer Facilitator, Senior Faculty Coordinator, 2023 Law Deans Merit Award recipient

Insights from a frequent user

Navigating the job market as a law student can be incredibly daunting and anxietyinducing as we have to commence as early as our second year of studies. This forces us to reflect on our self-esteem, resilience and goals head-on. Fortunately, as a student at UWC, I find comfort in knowing that there’s a dedicated department to guide our job search journeys. Career Services has become an indispensable resource in my career exploration. I make it a point to attend their workshops and events where I have developed crucial skills like drafting compelling cover letters and optimising my LinkedIn profile. Attending their Annual Law Career Xpo has given me a significant advantage in networking opportunities. Networking is vital in the legal field, where who you know can be just as important as what you know.

Career Xplora gave me the tools, especially with regard to drafting my CV, in order to better promote myself to prospective employers.

Career Services organises numerous events that connect students with alumni, practising lawyers, and potential employers. Attending these networking events has been a game-changer for me. I’ve had the chance to meet experienced professionals who

have provided insights into the legal industry and have opened doors to opportunities that I wouldn’t have found on my own. UWC Career Services has elevated my job search, giving me a competitive edge in securing opportunities and they

continue to be my trusted companion in navigating this anxiety-provoking job search journey. I encourage fellow law students to explore their services as they provide essential support in shaping our future legal careers.

Student Assistant Corner

Before joining the Career Services team, I believed that job opportunities for graduates were scarce. However, helping the team ‘job hunt’ has turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. I explore different platforms and experiment with various keywords such as ‘intern,’ ‘graduate,’ and ‘trainee’ to ﬁnd opportunities for our students and post them to Career Xplora’s opportunity board for approval. This task has taught me the importance of tailoring my job search and customising my applications. Additionally, seeing the effort invested by the department in planning career expos and boot camps come to life has been incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful to be part of these experiences.

AASIM MOHAMED

I believe that by seeking out and posting opportunities on the Career Xplora portal, we unlock a world of possibilities for students and alumni, empowering them to carve their own paths to success. This role underscores the importance of connection and

guidance, with Career Services bridging the gap between higher education and employment, along with other transformative opportunities. My efforts not only shape careers but also change lives, leaving a lasting impact on countless futures with each opportunity shared.

TAMIA DAMBULA

Being a student assistant at UWC Career Services has allowed me to gain valuable insights into the essential elements of a well-crafted CV; what recruiters look for in applications; as well as the frequent errors made by students in their job search. I have learnt that a strong CV should clearly highlight one’s education, work experience, skills, and achievements, and be tailored to the speciﬁc role or industry. Your CV is the ﬁrst impression you make to a recruiter, and ensuring that you have a good CV and Letter of Motivation will ultimately make you a marketable candidate in the very competitive job market.

ASIVE KWAYIBA

So readers, there you have it! We hope that you will get those ﬁngers moving, and log onto your UWC Career Xplora at https://uwc-csm.symplicity.com/ students, use your iKamva details to log in and make use of the amazing and helpful job search resources available to you 24/7/365.

Remember, UWC Career Xplora is available to you via the UWC VPN. Also, as an alumnus you can access the portal for an additional three years post completion of studies. If you have any job search concerns or queries about UWC Career Xplora email us at careerxplora@uwc.ac.za

Provide us with feedback about the 2024 Edition of Career Update handbook and stand the chance to win a UWC Hoodie! Email us at careerxplora@uwc.ac.za with your

You must be a registered UWC student in 2024 and have your majors set on Career Xplora.

At Webber Wentzel, Our stated purpose is ….“to have a transformative and sustainable impact through our work and actions.”

A Journey in Student Support An Interview with Prof Matete Madiba

by Nazrana Parker

CAREER UPDATE (CU) caught up with Prof Matete Madiba, DVC: Student Development and Support at the University of the Western Cape, to speak about her career journey.

Tell us about your time as a student and how it inﬂuenced your career.

I was born into a family of teachers. Both my parents were primary school teachers. I remember how playing school occupied my after-school primary days. I could easily ﬁnd pieces of chalk from my parents’ pockets, which gave me the unfair privilege of playing the teacher and having my peers as learners in my ‘class’- just because I had the chalk! Teaching was my whole world. In university, I joined the Student Christian Movement (SCM) and felt a sense of belonging in a community of dedicated students focused on their

studies and serving communities. On weekends, we visited high schools to participate in SCM-related activities. I found mentors and peers who supported me, I even served on a student organisation committee, learning to take on more responsibilities. I later qualiﬁed as a teacher myself.

Who is the one person who had a positive impact on your outlook on life and career?

My mother was both my role model and cheerleader. She believed in me so much. She truly believed in the power of education and she fought very hard to educate us, with her limited means. She was clear in her vision that she wanted us to go way beyond her reach. She never doubted our potential, even though I felt she was exaggerating it at times. She had very high expectations of us and it propelled me to keep performing. She prepared me well. By the time the impostor syndrome hit somewhere along my career journey, I was ﬁrmly established on the conﬁdence she inspired in me. She was ahead of her time in defying gender stereotypes.

How

did you develop an interest

in Student Support Services?

As a high school language teacher, I remember when a learner gave me a life lesson. During an English ‘oral’ lesson, the topic was “If you win R100 000, what would

you do with it?’, many learners spoke about building their parents a house, investing the money for further education or starting a business. One learner said, “I will buy shoes”. Classmates burst into laughter, of course, it was strange to think of shoes ﬁrst when it was such a large sum of money. The Rand was still stronger at that stage. I paused to look under the desk at his shoes. What I saw did not allow me to continue with the lesson. I quickly rounded off and prescribed the homework for the day and left the class. I could not ‘unsee’ what I saw. I later went shopping for a pair of shoes for the learner.

This opened my eyes to the learners I was teaching in this rural village. Most of their parents were away in the cities as labourers and were earning too little to cater for most of the needs of their children, who were left behind in child-headed families. I realised that being a ‘good teacher’ in this environment went way beyond how well you knew your subject matter. Part of it was how much you cared. By the time I joined a university as an Academic Development Practitioner (ADP), I had the mindset that schools and universities have the challenge and opportunity to provide development beyond the traditional classroom. I found this part of my career to be highly fulﬁlling.

By the time I joined a university as an Academic Development Practitioner (ADP), I had the mindset that schools and universities have the challenge and opportunity to provide development beyond the traditional classroom. I found this part of my career to be highly fulﬁlling.

What are your thoughts about pressures on ﬁrst-year students (FYS) to decide on a career path?

I believe that considering a career path should start before the ﬁrst year. The challenge is to play catchup, especially if there was no prior serious thinking, or lack of opportunities to stimulate such thinking. I acknowledge that deciding on a career path requires a lot of resources: exposure to relevant information, guidance, mentoring and role models, among others. Today, we have technology to accelerate access to information, with fast-paced changes and new careers emerging. First-year students should use available resources to pursue their career paths wisely.

My generation had limited career choices and information access. FYS who enter UWC have a whole Unit dedicated to career preparation, and it offers state-of-the-art resources to make sure that from the ﬁrst year, you can set your career goals and make sure that you enlist more support as you work towards achieving those goals.

You have spent more than two decades in Student Support. What lessons did you learn along the way?

The lessons are many but I will only focus on a few. By the time you get university admission in South Africa, you are among the privileged youth of the country. Coming to university means you have a dream to build a career for yourself and the potential to achieve that dream. I have encountered numerous students with ambitious dreams for their future. Some have diligently pursued their goals, while others have let go of their aspirations, missing out on achieving them. Through these

experiences, I’ve come to realise that there are individuals I refer to as ‘reﬂectors’ and ‘deﬂectors’ along one’s career journey.

The quality of the journey is about how far you manage to successfully navigate through all of those. Reflectors, I argue, are those things that advance your career, that help you to move from one milestone to the next. Deflectors do the opposite. Among others, deflectors can zap your energy, leave you exhausted and push you far away from the path towards the goals you have set for yourself. This is where your agency becomes critical, to commit to being in the driving seat towards building a career. Part of exercising your agency is about being intentional to access the help and support available, to be an active participant and to seize opportunities for your development and growth.

What excites you about returning to UWC as its ‘DVC:SDS’?

It felt like a homecoming experience. I learned a lot during my PhD journey at the university and I developed a special connection, far more with the other four universities where I completed my other degrees. UWC’s history is very special, in terms of fighting against apartheid and participating in pulling us out of the dingy place the previous regime had placed us as a country, and more specifically as blacks. We can now confidently talk about quality education to unlock everyone’s potential. I was so pleasantly surprised to see how the university had grown since my PhD days. The infrastructure has grown and this positions UWC as a true world-class university. The research conducted at the university is mind-blowing and makes one appreciate being associated with it.

UWC Sport is something else: so much talent in one university! I appreciate the opportunity I have to make my contribution. I have seen how student development has grown as an area of scholarship and innovation and I am so privileged to be part of the journey. My heart goes out to student leaders, students who understand the commitment to serve and contribute beyond their own development needs. I would like to see us as the University doing far more to support their leadership development journeys.

I am also excited to work with First Years and make sure from the moment they enter the university, they are ready to drive their own success and not allow any obstacle, as far as it is in their power, to deter them. That is why as SDS we speak about nurturing talent and co-creating a culture of success. This is my vision, that UWC should be known as a place where success is second nature, and where success is culture. I would like to see the university known for its innovative practices in talent development.

What inspires you about our students and staff?

There is a sense of humanness in the university. You cannot miss the fact that here you are seen as a person ﬁrst. You cannot miss a sense of community among students and staff. The hunger for development in our students is a great inspiration to me. I have had the privilege of sitting around the table with student leaders in various structures, including the SRC, its sub-councils, the Debating Union, and the Media Society to name a few. I have listened to them talk about how they want to advance the university’s vision and their commitment to the Institutional Operating Plan. I have listened to

them call for support for training and development, almost at the point of rebuke, because they would like to see more commitment in this regard. This excites me because it makes our work easy. They are affirming the need for the design of meaningful development programmes. As we carefully design, plan and implement we are assured of their uptake. It is so heart-warming to see how the 2024 ﬁrst years are responding in their numbers to some of the events we have added to the calendar to set them on their journeys of holistic development. Their response energises us and we will continue to ensure that this culture of success becomes a reality, sooner than later.

Many parents and guardians make sacriﬁces for the ﬁrst degree and then expect their graduate child to help the family and siblings. What advice do you have for students in this situation?

How can students make a success of their studies and prepare for the world of work?

Share words of wisdom about succeeding at university and in a future career.

It is critical for students to understand that they have the potential to succeed. They should build on this potential, and work hard and smartly to unleash it. They have passed matric, which in itself, attests to their academic talent. With all the support around them at University, they should not miss the opportunity to make success their second nature. With clear goals set, the next ingredient is to adopt and cultivate habits of success and to unlearn and resist habits that serve as ‘deﬂectors’ towards success.

I acknowledge that this has fed into the narrative of black tax but I firmly believe in ‘lifting as you rise’. I find it fulfilling to be able to help others who are less fortunate than I am. I have seen both parents do it, and it is something I would advise everyone to do, as long as we still have this level of inequality and poverty among us. I wish everyone can understand the honour of raising the next breadwinner, the joy of witnessing the poverty cycle broken for an individual and hopefully for their posterity. You do not have to be a big philanthropist to do this. It becomes even more worthwhile when you do it out of your limited means, for that one person who can be pulled out to stand on their own. CU

The university environment offers ample growth opportunities. It is this growth that sets you on a path towards a vibrant career. It does not start after graduation, it starts much earlier. The three or four years you spend in your undergrad studies should already provide you with a curriculum vitae that is attractive. You should have a lot to show in terms of how you have developed personally and how you have advanced your leadership qualities. You should also be able to show how you have learned to be of service to others because we are only fully developed as human beings when we have learned to serve our fellow human beings. This is one more reason why we have vibrant student structures, clubs, societies and organisations that take community service seriously. Do not miss the opportunity to participate and build your proﬁle as a critical citizen.

Embracing Co-Curricular Activities at University

by Imrah Dramat and Charline King

CAREER UPDATE CAUGHT UP WITH CHARLINE KING, a UWC Master’s in Political Studies student, who has capitalised on her time as a student to develop much sought after graduate attributes through various co-curricular activities.

My experience at UWC embodies one of the university’s goals to encourage student engagement on campus to become the best versions of themselves. My advice to any student would be to live their best lives NOW! We do not have to wait until the completion of our degrees to be part and parcel of the legacy of well-rounded generational leaders, our institution continues to steward.

It is quite evident that university life should not be limited to academic studies. There is time for more beyond the classroom. I engaged in co-curricular activities starting in my second year of study, which I believe helped me recognise my potential. In 2020, I was selected to be a Peer Facilitator (PF) for the Student Orientation Programme (facilitated by Career Services), where I was responsible for a group of 30 new ﬁrst-year undergraduate students. I had to ensure they were well acquainted with the student services available on campus and facilitate their induction and orientation to tertiary studies. Due to the pandemic, I fulﬁlled this role for three consecutive years in person and virtually.

In 2023, I was promoted as my faculty’s Student Faculty Coordinator for the Orientation period. In this role I was responsible for co-leading all of the PFs in our faculty, ensuring that the planned activities were executed effectively, incidents were reported and resolved and a faculty report was drafted. For the latter part of 2023, I became the First Year Transitioning Officer for the Faculty of Arts. This initiative was founded by the First Year Experience (FYE) programme. This was a project whereby I was responsible for facilitating 13 of the Arts Faculty’s mentors. With this opportunity, I utilised the skills I developed during my Orientation experience such as time management, adaptability and mutual respect. Once again I dealt with students from various backgrounds and belief systems. It was an honour to watch student mentors evolve into leaders, who sincerely cared about the academic success of the ﬁrst-year students.

In 2023 I became a tutor for the Department of Political Studies. I was challenged to go beyond the script as every student has different learning styles and I needed to provide them with a sense of comfort in asking questions. Many who have known me for several years have been shocked to witness my growth. I could not string together a sentence for my school presentations and now was entrusted with the responsibility of tutoring others.

This year, I was selected as a Postgraduate PF, as part of the inaugural Postgraduate Orientation Programme. Here I was responsible for assisting new postgraduate students to become familiar with the differences between

Check out the Opportunities Board on UWC Career Xplora to get started in determining your co-curricular journey.

undergraduate and postgraduate studies, their research journey and the relevant campus resources and services. This opportunity not only afforded me the necessary room to grow, but also aided me with the possibility of stewarding lifelong relationships as a postgraduate student. The conﬁdence, self-belief, tenacity, adaptability and social skills I have gained over the past 5 years are evident. The beneﬁts of signing up for roles we often consider beyond our capability allow us to discover our hidden strengths.

Exposing ourselves to co-curricular and work study opportunities means challenging ourselves outside the lecture room and course requirements and possibly discovering new career pathways. It is worth mentioning that I am not where I would like to be just yet. I have learnt that breaking out of our comfort is often what pivots us towards our biggest wins in life. I conclude with a quote from American footballer, Russell Wilson, “Dreams come true when you capitalise on opportunity.” It is, therefore, my hope that every student, upon reading this article, does not delay, to grab opportunities available to them while at university. CU

If this appeals to you, apply now.

From Athlone to the World

My Journey in Psychology and the Cruise Line Industry

by Nazrana Parker

CAREER UPDATE CAUGHT UP WITH TRISTAN JACOBS, a UWC Alumnus who ventured into a career within the Cruise Line industry. We share her story to highlight the power of second chances and career opportunities within an industry not often considered by our students.

Tell us about your background and why you pursued a career in Psychology?

Born and raised in Athlone, Cape Town, I developed a keen interest in understanding the world around me from a young age.

The experience of losing both my parents as a child shifted my world dramatically. The complexities of my emotions, family, and friends sparked my curiosity in human behaviour, which later led me to pursue a degree in Psychology in the hope of understanding myself and others better and contributing meaningfully to society.

My journey has been diverse, challenging, and rewarding.

What were your student experiences at UWC, and how did you navigate your career path?

I joined UWC in 2014, feeling both overwhelmed and excited, as I transitioned from a place of self-doubt to embracing new possibilities. However, my journey at UWC was cut short, when I failed my second year and dropped out. In February 2016, I started as an Administrative Assistant to a Forensic Psychologist. This role reignited my passion for Psychology, and with dedication, I was promoted to a Financial Assistant in 2017. The same year, I became a young mother, which added urgency to my aspirations. This gave me a chance to self-reﬂect and reassess my goals and with the determination to achieve my goals, I returned to UWC in 2018 and completed my degree in 2022.

While at UWC I met inﬂuential mentors, including a Clinical Psychologist specialising in Performance Psychology and Chantel Oppelt, an Industrial Psychologist. Under their guidance, I worked on impactful projects both locally and internationally, shaping my professional and personal growth. With these experiences and my degree ‘bagged’ I challenged myself to embark on an unconventional career path as

a Learning and Development Manager for an international cruise line. This role seamlessly blended my passion for psychology with a love for travel and cultural immersion, opening new horizons for my career.

What has been your experience in the cruise line industry?

Joining the cruise line industry brought unique challenges and surprises. The fast-paced environment, cultural nuances, and the transient nature of guests and crew demanded ﬂexibility and resilience. I managed audits, ensured compliance, conducted training across departments, handled onboard conﬂicts, and provided psychological support to crew members. Each experience served as a catalyst for growth, enriching my skill set and expanding my professional repertoire. In 2023, I transitioned to a Recruitment Agent for MSC Cruises, helping others to seize this immersive growth opportunity with the perks of travelling and seeing the world.

Why would you encourage graduates to consider a career in this industry?

My journey has been diverse, challenging, and rewarding. From being an orphan in Athlone to making a tangible difference in the world. My path exempliﬁes the power of second chances and the diverse opportunities awaiting graduates. The cruise line industry offers unique experiences, personal growth, and professional development. Embracing challenges, seizing opportunities, and staying true to oneself are essential ingredients for a fulﬁlling and impactful career. I encourage others to consider a stint or career in this industry for its potential to transform lives and broaden horizons.

The Tristan Jacobs World Tour

Charting Your Course Interview with an Astrophysicist

by Natalie Thomas

UWC CAREER UPDATE CONNECTS WITH DR NICOLE THOMAS, whose career has taken her from the tip of Africa to the shores of Western Australia where she is currently a Jim Buckee Fellow in Astrophysics at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in Perth.

What sparked your interest in astrophysics? Was there a specific moment or influence that guided you toward this field?

I was always interested in why and how things work. Speciﬁcally, I was intrigued by the fact that we can use mathematics to describe and predict how objects undergo physical processes and how we can extend this to a larger scale. For example, measuring the motion of a thrown object, and the time it takes to complete its projection, or describing the way, and time it takes for planets to orbit the sun. My interest in astronomy started, as cliché as you can imagine, by looking at the

stars and wondering what was between them, how far away they were, and why I could not see much else. My curiosity was ampliﬁed with a visit to the Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town where I learnt that, due to the expansion of the universe, along with the constant speed of light, we can only observe a limited region of our universe. I recall being very upset by this and by how incomprehensible the scales of the universe are - and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Walk us through your educational journey and why you chose those speciﬁc programmes and institutions?

I pursued my BSc Physics at UWC where I gained a good basis in physics, astronomy and scientiﬁc programming. Following this, I completed my BSc Honours and the coursework part of my MSc as part of the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) based at UCT. NASSP

aims to train the next generation of African and South African astronomers across research ﬁelds and provide students with transferable skills should they decide to move to industry. I then completed my MSc thesis and pursued my PhD at UWC as part of the South African Radio Astronomical Observatory (SARAO) bursary. My MSc and PhD were supervised by Professor Romeel Davé, a world-leading researcher in cosmological simulations that model the formation and evolution of galaxies, the ﬁeld I was primarily interested in at the time.

How did you set career goals while you were studying? Did you have a clear vision of where you wanted to go?

My goals adapted and evolved throughout my studies. At the start, I put a lot of pressure on myself to ensure I was always on top of things and trying to ensure I had a handle on everything, every aspect and every tool. However, I realised that this was not sustainable and that part of the process of completing, speciﬁcally, a PhD is learning to be a researcher.

How did you ﬁnd and select research opportunities that could be beneﬁcial to your career development?

South Africa hosts the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) which places South African Astronomy at a huge advantage as a world-class location for radio and multiwavelength astronomy and provides students with opportunities to be part of world-leading science.

The Square Kilometre

Array

(SKA) provides students with

opportunities

to be part of world-leading science.

I had set goals throughout my studies but research is often in flux; it was useful to have regular reflections with my supervisor, especially when I was stuck on some code or doubtful that our approach was appropriate. It was a matter of regularly confirming whether I had met expectations over a period and then defining goals for the next period.

It is worthwhile noting that depending on the research project or ﬁeld, the supervisor and student - goals and achievements may look very different; it is important to deﬁne for yourself and your supervisor what would work best for you.

Selecting projects SKA-related was the clear direction to focus my projects and has resulted in a large number of collaborations and projects that I’m still actively involved in.

What steps did you take to build a professional network in the ﬁeld of astrophysics?

Networking is absolutely fundamental to pursuing an academic career in astrophysics as it is a highly collaborative ﬁeld. Networking was a vital part of my studies

and I attribute most of my “success” to it. I was fortunate to have a supervisor who understood the importance of networking and urged and supported my travel to various national and international institutions to attend conferences and give talks about my research, where I could speak to experts and get to know other students. I was fortunate to spend a signiﬁcant period of my PhD in the UK where I initiated collaborations that continue to this day and form the basis for much of my current research.

What advice would you give to students planning a career in astrophysics?

Who supported you and inﬂuenced your path?

Throughout my studies, I was fortunate to have several people support me in various ways and a number of people who acted as mentors throughout my career. I had a fantastic supervisor who directed me professionally and with whom I still keep in touch. Pursuing a PhD can be incredibly difficult from a professional and personal perspective, I am very fortunate and grateful for having their input and advice.

Build a supportive network, and pursue passions with dedication.

Take as many opportunities as possible, whether travelling, attending conferences, networking, or giving talks. Never be afraid to ask questions. Pursuing an academic career in astrophysics can also be stressful and intimidating, it helps to have a supervisor that supports these activities. While it may be more complicated to do, selecting a supervisor and surrounding yourself with people who support your professional and personal goals, can be highly impactful in your academic career and very rewarding.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at UWC was a comfortable environment to work in. Everyone was incredibly supportive and always willing to help out where they could. I was treated as a person, not just another student going through the system. I believe that my time at UWC laid the foundation for where I am today.

Dr Nicole Thomas’ remarkable journey highlights the ample opportunities available to students. Her path underscores the importance of seizing opportunities, building a supportive network, and pursuing passions with dedication. UWC’s nurturing environment and strong academic programmes can propel students into successful and fulﬁlling careers in astrophysics and beyond. This is a testament to the incredible potential within reach for those who embark on their educational journey at UWC.

Careers in Radio and Media

by Natalie Thomas

IN TODAY’S DYNAMIC MEDIA LANDSCAPE, careers in radio and media offer exciting opportunities for creative professionals.

Whether you’re passionate about storytelling, music, news, or technology, there’s a place for you in this vibrant industry. This article explores various career paths in radio and media and provides a comprehensive roadmap to careers in the industry.

Possible roles to consider:

Radio Presenter/Host

As a radio presenter or host, you engage listeners through live or pre-recorded broadcasts, entertain, inform, and connect with your audience. To break into this ﬁeld, start by gaining experience through college radio stations, internships, or online radio platforms. Develop your unique on-air personality and hone your communication skills.

Radio Producer

Radio producers plan, organise, and oversee the production of radio programs. They work closely with hosts and technical staff to ensure high-quality content. Internships at

radio stations and volunteering for production roles can provide valuable hands-on experience. Learning audio editing software and understanding the technical aspects of radio production are crucial steps.

Radio Reporter/Journalist

Radio reporters gather news, conduct interviews, and report on current events. A degree in journalism or linguistics/ communications is often required, along with strong writing and research skills. Building a portfolio of news stories through internships, freelancing, or contributing to local news outlets can enhance your employability.

Radio Sales Executive

Radio sales executives sell advertising space or airtime. They develop relationships with clients, create advertising packages, and negotiate contracts. Sales experience and strong interpersonal skills are key. Consider starting in entry-level sales positions to gain experience and prove your ability to drive revenue.

Radio Programme Director

Programme directors oversee the content and format of radio stations, selecting music, scheduling programmes, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Experience in various radio roles, including hosting, producing, and sales, can pave the way to this leadership position.

Radio Technician/Engineer

Technicians and engineers install, maintain, and repair broadcasting equipment. A background in electronics or engineering is essential. Certiﬁcation courses and hands-on experience with broadcasting equipment will make you a strong candidate.

Podcast Producer/Host

With the rise of digital media, podcasting has become a signiﬁcant career avenue. Creating your own podcast can showcase your abilities in content creation, production, and marketing. Networking with other podcasters and attending industry events can help you gain exposure and opportunities.

Careers in radio and media are diverse and rewarding, offering opportunities for creative and passionate individuals.

Social Media Manager

Social media managers oversee the online presence of radio stations or media companies. They create content, engage with listeners, and drive traffic to broadcasts. Strong writing skills, creativity, and experience with social media platforms are essential. Consider internships or freelance work to build your portfolio.

Steps for Success for Radio and Media job opportunities

GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Internships, volunteer work, and freelancing are excellent ways to gain practical experience and build your resume. Seek opportunities at college radio stations, local news outlets, or online platforms. uDubs Radio is a great opportunity to gain experience and help build your portfolio.

BUILD A PORTFOLIO

Create a portfolio showcasing your work, whether it’s radio segments, news stories, podcast episodes, or social media campaigns. A strong portfolio demonstrates your abilities and creativity to potential employers.

TAILOR YOUR CV AND LETTER OF MOTIVATION

Customise your CV and Letter of Motivation for each job application, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Use industry-speciﬁc keywords sought by applicant tracking systems.

STAY UPDATED AND KEEP LEARNING

The media industry is constantly evolving. Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and best practices. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops to enhance your skills.

NETWORK EFFECTIVELY

Networking is crucial in the media industry. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Informational interviews can provide insights and open doors to job opportunities. Visit the careers pages of media companies and radio stations to ﬁnd open positions.

BE PERSISTENT AND RESILIENT

Job searching in the media industry can be competitive and challenging. Stay persistent, keep applying, and don’t be discouraged by rejections. Each application is a learning experience.

Careers in radio and media are diverse and rewarding, offering opportunities for creative and passionate individuals. By exploring different career paths, tailoring your job search strategies, and staying persistent; you can navigate the job market and ﬁnd your place in this exciting industry. Whether you’re behind the mic, producing content, reporting the news, or managing social media, there’s a fulﬁlling career waiting for you in radio and media.

For some inspiration, check out the following articles:

• “On top of his game” featuring UWC Alumnus Ronald Masinda, the 2018 National Winner of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in our 2019 Career Update publication. https://issuu.com/849269/docs/ uwc_career_update_2019-normal_hi-res

• “Unleash your potential: How to build a successful career in Social Media” featuring UWC Alumni, Ivyn Sambo and Jesmé Swartz. https://issuu. com/849269/docs/career_update_handbook_2023

What sets them apart?

CAREER UPDATE shares stories of graduates who have landed their ﬁrst job. We tracked them to ﬁnd out what they did during their job search and share the remarkable efforts that gave them an edge over their peers.

Dhara Tina Kara

B Com, Information Systems and Management (Cum Laude), 2024

Data & Digital Academy Trainee, Sanlam

My resilience, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning set me apart. Throughout my education, I demonstrated academic excellence and co-curricular achievements, showcasing a proactive engagement mindset. At university, I earned a place on the Dean’s Merit List and was recognised by the Golden Key International Honours Society. I served as a tutor and participated in exchange programmes to enhance my skills. In interviews, I emphasized my adaptability, passion, and alignment with Sanlam’s values. My success stems from personal growth, continuous learning, and seizing opportunities. Building connections, maintaining boundaries, and manifesting success through hard work have been my guiding principles. I encourage aspiring professionals to embrace challenges and believe in their potential.

Min-ghah Kariem

MSc, Biotechnology, 2024

Laboratory Technician, UCT Lung Institute Allergology and Immunology Unit

In science, preparation and planning are fundamental, and the same applies to job searching. The best advice I can give is to always be prepared. For my job search, I would research the company, understand its operations, and know how the advertised role fits into the organisation. I would prepare insightful questions for the hiring manager, as this demonstrated genuine interest. For example, asking if the role is project-specific showed my engagement with the company’s work. In biotechnology, it’s crucial to be open to learning new techniques. If I lack experience in a specific method, I research its fundamentals and express my eagerness to learn during the interview. This demonstrates initiative and a willingness to gain new skills. Lastly, I avoid sounding rehearsed by memorising a standard answer for the “about yourself” question and including personal hobbies or interests to connect with the interviewer.

Lindiwe Mahlangu

BCom, Information Systems and Financial Accounting, 2024

Community Coordinator and University Engagements, Jobox

Securing my ﬁrst internship required proactivity and differentiation. I emphasized my involvement in campus activities, such as serving as Executive Treasurer, Projects Executive, Accounting Tutor, Ambassador for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Chairperson of Women in Tech UWC. Winning the SDS Student Leadership Award in 2023 highlighted my commitment to growth. I continued to learn through programmes like “This Is Me” with Women in Tech SA, the MTN App of the Year course, and a full-stack web development course with Zaio. Staying updated on job opportunities via UWC Career Xplora, I customised my CVs and articulated real-world problem-solving experiences in interviews. Balancing these commitments with my studies was challenging but rewarding. My advice to fellow students is to engage in campus activities, pursue continuous learning, and network extensively.

Thabiso Alpha Pile

BCom, Finance/Investment and Management and PGDip in Business Administration, 2024 Hedge Fund Accountant Intern, Apex Group Ltd

This achievement was the result of my proactive and strategic approach to career development. Throughout my studies, I attended boot camps and seminars on campus, engaging directly with recruiters to understand their requirements. Identifying gaps in my qualifications, I inquired about alternative qualifications they might consider. I utilised the career services portal to meticulously craft my CV, seeking feedback to improve it further. Preparing for interviews through mock interviews available on the portal significantly boosted my confidence and readiness. Subscribing to the career services email channel provided weekly updates on opportunities. By leveraging these resources and actively engaging with available opportunities, I secured my role. This experience has been instrumental in shaping my career path and continues to provide valuable insights and skills as I pursue my postgraduate studies.

Alex Lazarus

BCom, Information Systems, 2024 Digital Academy Trainee, Sanlam

I pride myself on my self-discipline and self-awareness, which drive my perseverance and dedication. My high school scholarship encouraged community service, reﬂecting my commitment to going beyond expectations. At university, I received a bursary that enhanced my academic credibility. Under the mentorship of my lecturer, Mr Ruchen Wyngaard, I engaged in projects like an agriculture-focused IoT device and a hackathon, which strengthened my skills in digital technologies. I also completed a supply-chain management course at a German university, showcasing the quality of German engineering. Dr. Fazlyn Petersen, another lecturer, shared job opportunities that led to a Sanlam Job Shadow experience. This taught me the importance of customising my CV and networking, making me more memorable. My journey underscores the value of dedication, and recognising my social capital in all aspects of life and career.

Unlocking Entrepreneurial Human Capital Igniting Entrepreneurial Careers

by The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

THE CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION (CEI) was founded at the University of the Western Cape in 2013 to foster entrepreneurial thinking and action across all disciplines on campus.

The CEI aims to illustrate how entrepreneurship can play a transformative role, impacting students, universities, and the surrounding communities, fostering leadership and innovation. It contributes to UWC IOP relating to creating transformative educational experiences where students can apply their learning to real-world problems.

The mission of CEI is to streamline, coordinate and enhance entrepreneurship activities at UWC. This involves prominently showcasing UWC’s successes in current and future entrepreneurship initiatives, coordinating both existing and new entrepreneurship activities with internal and external stakeholders, and developing a sustainable business model to execute external community entrepreneurial projects.

The CEI is committed to providing a supportive environment for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs while fostering collaborations with national and international partners in entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

CEI key entrepreneurial projects

• Student Entrepreneurship: UPBI, STEP, ENACTUS, EDHE and EESA

• Enterprise Development: Fellows Programme and eSkill’s Programme.

• Projects: Masters Builder Association and the City of Cape Town.

CEI Youth Entrepreneurship

Let’s explore the projects under Student Entrepreneurship at CEI:

UPBI - Urban Poverty and Business Initiative

UPBI empowers individuals in low-income and disadvantaged communities to start and sustain businesses by collaborating with diverse partners and offering tailored programmes nationwide, promoting entrepreneurship as a path to economic empowerment. The core philosophy of UPBI emphasises that entrepreneurship is accessible to everyone, viewing it as a journey with clear, actionable steps and focusing on incremental progress.

The programme supports the launch of numerous entrepreneurship initiatives in urban areas globally, providing a comprehensive approach to implementation and fostering a culture of sharing and mutual support among participants. Running for 12 weeks, UPBI offers intensive support and training for township Entrepreneurs based on the 80 STEPS Framework.

In 2023, UPBI introduced a student consultancy programme at UWC, graduating 52 students, and continued its success with 48 more graduates in 2024, demonstrating the programme’s ongoing impact. The UPBI project is a partnership between our community partner: Silulo Foundation and our international partner: Notre Dame University.

STEP - Skills Training for Entrepreneurial Practice

STEP is a transformative 12-week programme that equips youths and young adults with the skills, knowledge and conﬁdence to start their entrepreneurial journey. Participants learn

The STEP programme is a practical, action-oriented and evidencebased toolkit

equipping students with an entrepreneurial mindset.

essential business steps, including identifying opportunities, ﬁnancial management and effective marketing, to create job opportunities for themselves and their communities. STEP addresses adverse labour market conditions, empowering students to create employment opportunities and fostering proactive mindsets.

It helps overcome high youth unemployment rates and challenging job markets, breaking the cycle of unemployment and poverty. Since 2022 more than 1300 students registered their intention to participate in the 12-week STEP programme. To date, close to 500 UWC students participated in the STEP programme. UWC in partnership with Leuphana University trained 50 STEP facilitators.

The STEP programme is a practical, action-oriented and evidence-based toolkit equipping students with an entrepreneurial mindset. This project is in partnership with Leuphana University and the German Commission for UNESCO.

ENACTUS

Entrepreneurial Action Through Us (Enactus) is a global non-proﬁt organisation that encourages students to create positive change through entrepreneurial action by providing innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. Enactus empowers students to collaborate and make a sustainable impact worldwide. The organisation’s key initiatives include community development projects and student-led social entrepreneurship. Enactus transforms the lives of both beneﬁciaries and student participants, promoting effective, values-driven leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

Over the past three years, UWC Enactus has achieved signiﬁcant success with two of its social enterprises winning the MTN Digital Innovation Competition and as winners of the Enactus South Africa Developmental League. The programme runs annually, ensuring continuity and lasting impact.

Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education

The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme focuses on cultivating entrepreneurial skills among students, academics and leaders by integrating entrepreneurship into tertiary education. EDHE aims to improve students’ readiness for the job market and

entrepreneurial endeavours. The programme’s goals include mobilising students and graduates to start successful businesses and equipping academics to teach entrepreneurship. It creates entrepreneurial university environments that generate income through innovative ideas.

EDHE ensures accessible entrepreneurship education for all students, better preparing them for economic participation after graduation. The programme promotes collaboration between institutions and regions for national impact. Notable successes include winning and being runners-up in the Existing Business Social Impact Category in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and hosting the Annual EDHE Lekgotla at UWC in 2023. The programme operates annually in alignment with the academic calendar. It connects with all students annually through the Intervarsity Student Entrepreneurship Week (SEW) and Student Indaba.

EESA – Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa

Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa (EESA) is a programme that empowers students to assist historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in Cape Town’s townships. This transformative initiative spans six weeks during which American and South African students collaborate in consulting teams to support small businesses and ensure their sustainability. Guided by four faculty members, students engage with local entrepreneurs in ventures, such as catering, arts and crafts, community newspapers and small construction companies.

The programme is open to senior undergraduate and graduate students from various ﬁelds, emphasising qualities such as strong work ethic, emotional maturity and creative problem-solving. Each consulting team works closely with two small businesses focusing on practical deliverables for immediate impact. The programme has had signiﬁcant results, such as raising $5,000 for an orphanage in Khayelitsha and successfully consulting 16 community-owned enterprises in 2023, with 21 UWC students graduating, marking the highest number in the programme’s 13-year history at UWC.

CEI Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) Projects

The CEI has other projects for the SMME’s and the community at large, let’s look at the CEI’s ESD projects:

Fellows Leadership & Mentoring Programme

Our ﬂagship programme, Fellows Leadership & Mentoring Programme (FLMP), is designed to empower participants to take charge of their growth and sustainability while investing in the longevity of SMMEs. This initiative supports government job creation and economic growth efforts and aligns with national plans like the NDP and the New Growth Plan.

The programme has four main objectives: enhancing entrepreneurial self-awareness through guided self-analysis and fostering enterprising behaviour; setting achievable goals through personal leadership coaching; increasing engagement with the entrepreneurship ecosystem via targeted networking platforms; and building business competencies through specialised workshops, ultimately accelerating supplier readiness. The rationale behind FLMP is rooted in addressing the need for business skills and experience among many SMMEs, which often leads to high failure rates and contributes to youth and graduate unemployment in South Africa.

By incorporating key pillars such as diagnostic and gap analysis, a mobile technology toolkit, a tailored business development programme, integrated ﬁnancial skills and analysis, personal leadership coaching, exhibitions, networking opportunities, pitching competitions, and transformative mentoring, FLMP aims to create an innovative and resilient community of SMMEs prepared for supplier readiness.

Together, we can foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that beneﬁts everyone.

Master Builders Association

The MBAWC is a registered trade association for employers in the building industry and has been partnering with UWC CEI for nearly six years. The programme, managed by UWC CEI, includes ﬁve key components: efficient project management, human resources and legalities, health and safety, contractual and legal requirements, pricing and claims, and project management techniques.

Participants in the programme specialise in various ﬁelds such as plumbing, brickwork, plastering, and waterprooﬁng. Training is conducted over six to eight months.

SETA Projects

In 2022, BANKSETA funded a critical and scarce skills programme for entrepreneurs from December 2022 to November 2023. Participants signed the necessary documents and attended an initial information session. The programme aimed to boost local SMME growth, reduce poverty and unemployment in township communities, and create a business network. Ten participants were selected after submitting assessments and agreements.

The programme combined mobile technology, business skills, coaching and mentoring, and achieved a 95% retention rate. Participants received NQF level five Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills certificates and completed practical milestones in both areas. We partnered with CHIETA for an Incubation programme supporting five small businesses from March to November 2023.

Four participants completed it, with two ﬁrms formally registered. The supportive ecosystem helped participants recover economically and grow personally.

Impact: Participants improved in running businesses, developing business models, marketing, ﬁnancial literacy and online visibility. They engaged with ecosystem partners like SEDA, NYDA and Standard Bank. In 2023, INSETA funded a ten-month programme for 20 existing insurance businesses and 20 unemployed youths. The programme resulted in ﬁve new business registrations for the youth group.

Together, we can foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that beneﬁts everyone. Join CEI at the University of the Western Cape! Students can enrol in UPBI, STEP and ENACTUS, attend workshops, and engage in projects like EESA. Faculty and staff can collaborate by integrating entrepreneurship into their work and mentoring students. Alumni can give back and stay connected.

Tel: 021 959 1759

Email: cei@uwc.ac.za

Student Entrepreneurship at UWC Pioneering Futures

by Imrah Dramat

Aneesah Van der Schyff

BCom Information Systems (Honours) graduate,

Functional Analyst at The Shoprite Group, founder and co-owner of Lahan Clothing.

Sakhile Ngobe

Bafana Kane

Graduate legal counsel at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), LLM candidate at UWC, music producer, partner at Sneaker Rehab Club and Canon Collins Scholarship Alumni.

Candidate Attorney at a Global Firm in Johannesburg, former (award winning) student entrepreneur, former partner at Sneaker Rehab Club, co-author of the book titled ‘Behind the Veil of Student Entrepreneurship’, and Canon Collins Scholarship Alumni.

Sange Maﬁnyongwana

Masters Computer Science Candidate at UWC, co-founder of startups - LenoKids, WebMax and AccoFinder.

SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS FACE CHALLENGING PROSPECTS UPON COMPLETING THEIR STUDIES, as the graduate unemployment rate is 11.8%. Apart from balancing rigorous coursework with social obligations, the job search realities loom.

Amidst these difficulties, entrepreneurship offers a beacon of hope. By embracing entrepreneurship, students can forge innovative solutions, chart their career paths, and create sustainable futures for themselves and others.

Career Update caught up with UWC student entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated this pathway.

What inspired you to start a business while being a student, and how did you formulate your business idea?

My entrepreneurial journey began by addressing the challenges I faced as a student. With my ﬁrst business - Wise Careers, I provided career guidance to Matric students. My next venture, AccoFinder connected university students with landlords for private accommodation. Leno Kidz, born from the 2022 MTN Digital Innovation Challenge, enhances Grade 4 English skills. WebMax supports small businesses digitally and partners with local IT societies for school outreach every Friday.

I started wearing hijab in my ﬁrst year, but the high cost of scarves and difficulty in matching them with my outﬁts was discouraging. To address this, I began making my own scarves,

and after receiving compliments and recognising a need for affordable, quality scarves among young university students, I launched my brand, Lahan.

Inspired by my late grandmother, a farmer and salesperson, holidays with her involved sales at markets and farming, teaching me the value of hard work. She advised me to use my intellect and hands to make money, not wait for employment. In 2020, instead of returning home during the pandemic, I discussed business ideas with my older brother, invested in shares and used the returns to start a business.

My entrepreneurship journey began with helping my mother at her fruit and vegetable stall. Throughout high school and university, I honed these skills to support myself ﬁnancially. In June 2023, I co-founded Sneaker Cleaning Rehab club with Sakhile Ngobe and Bayden Pedro to address the need for sneaker cleaning on campus.

How did UWC support your entrepreneurial journey?

The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) has been pivotal to my initiatives. Ms. Wendy Mehl, the Enactus faculty advisor, nurtured my entrepreneurial mindset while I served as vice president. Enactus provided structure, guidance and funding for student businesses. As a research assistant in the Student Training Entrepreneurial Programme (STEP), I gained valuable networks, experience and guidance.

My academic background in BCom Information Systems provided valuable insights that I used to guide my business endeavours. The comprehensive knowledge I gained during my studies equipped me with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. This academic foundation was crucial to the successful launch and growth of my brand.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a student entrepreneur in South Africa?

There are a plethora of problems. However, the main challenge is balancing being a student entrepreneur with being a full-time student, especially as the business grows, causing one aspect of life to suffer. This balancing act often leads to signiﬁcant time management issues. Additionally, as a student entrepreneur ﬁnancial institutions often hesitate to invest in young and inexperienced entrepreneurs.

How did you balance your academic responsibilities with running a business?

It was challenging initially but I made sacrifices. I realised the need for efficient time management and used tools like Trello, Google Calendar, Monday.com, and to-do list apps to prioritise tasks. My studies came first due to NSFAS funding, so I dedicated any spare time to my business, with significant help from my team.

Strategic time management, such as working weekends and early mornings was key. I managed to thrive with support from my family and a reliable business partner, effective delegation and a balanced lifestyle.

Balancing was tough. I channelled my energy into my business during the day and hit the library in the evenings. I prioritised my academics over business and my friends supported me. Coming from Mpumalanga and being funded by Canon Collins kept me grounded; failing wasn’t an option.

I developed a strategy over time where I maintained a strict schedule, prioritised tasks and used my free time between classes to advance my business. When overwhelmed, I sought help from friends. Taking regular breaks was crucial to prevent burnout and maintain energy. Exceptional academic performance and support from the Canon Collins Trust kept me motivated.

How did you secure funding for your business and what challenges did you encounter in the process?

I secured funding, winning R65 000, through Enactus and the MTN Digital Innovation Challenge. I also participated in the Ford C3 Cycle, which supports businesses promoting community building where I ﬁnished as a Top 4 ﬁnalist and secured $9,000 (R95 000).

We initially secured funding for our business through private investments and family contributions. Post-launch, we relied on sales revenue to finance further production, which limited us to two-three design ranges per year due to financial constraints on purchasing materials and starting production. This posed a significant challenge in scaling our operations.

Most of our businesses was funded through our Canon Collins stipend, our Work-study roles (Sakhile) and selling my produced beats to fellow students (Bafana), further supporting our entrepreneurial endeavours.

How would you describe the current entrepreneurial ecosystem for students in South Africa?

The ecosystem has growth potential and funding opportunities, but faces challenges in attracting investor support and developing critical business skills. Many student ventures are early-stage and lacks scaling capabilities. To address these issues, more training programmes are needed to tackle community challenges, alongside increased funding and mentorship opportunities.

While there is increasing interest in startups and some backing from

universities and organisations, challenges such as limited funding and scarce mentorship opportunities persist. Students frequently encounter difficulties accessing resources and building networks. Despite these obstacles, there is evident potential, yet greater support is essential to foster the success of student entrepreneurs.

What

future trends will shape student entrepreneurship in South Africa, and how can stakeholders collaborate to support them?

The future hinges on digital innovation, sustainability, and improved access to funding and mentorship. Stakeholders should focus on forging partnerships, building robust support networks and investing in practical business education to better support student entrepreneurs.

Given South Africa’s high graduate unemployment rate, stakeholders must prioritise student businesses for sustainability. Encouraging students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures alongside their degrees is crucial. Providing comprehensive business information, training, mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and access to funding opportunities will effectively prepare students for entrepreneurship.

By embracing entrepreneurship, students can forge their own paths, innovate solutions to societal issues, build sustainable careers, create employment for others, offering a pathway to success amidst the challenges of balancing university life, coursework and career pressures.

10 Reasons to use the new CV and Letter of Motivation Toolkit

UWC CAREER SERVICES HAS CREATED A NEW CV AND LETTER OF MOTIVATION (LOM) TOOLKIT designed to help students improve their job search documents, ensuring that their applications are well-reﬁned, professional, and well-aligned with industry expectations, thereby improving their chances of success in the job market.

Accessible and free: It is tailored to the South African context, ensuring relevance, and is designed to be easy to follow and student-friendly, making it an invaluable tool for UWC students and alumni at no extra cost.

Competitive edge: It guides students on how to draft an effective CV and customised LoM to give students a competitive edge in the job market, increasing their chances of being shortlisted for interviews.

Structured approach: It provides a structured approach to ensure students cover all essential sections and present their information in a logical order.

Best practices: It incorporates best practices for writing and formatting, which can signiﬁcantly improve the professionalism and effectiveness of students’ applications.

Conﬁdence booster: It builds students’ conﬁdence in their applications, knowing they have followed a proven guide designed by experts to present themselves effectively. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CU

Clarity and conciseness: It helps students to be clear and concise, avoiding common pitfalls such as lengthy descriptions or unnecessary information.

Consistency: It ensures consistency in style and format, which reﬂects attention to detail and a high level of professionalism.

Highlight strengths: It provides guidance on how to highlight key strengths, achievements, and skills to make a student’s application stand out as a potential candidate.

Personal branding: It helps students develop a strong personal brand by teaching them how to present their unique skills, experiences, and personality in a cohesive and appealing way and sets a foundation for building a professional LinkedIn proﬁle.

Enhanced persuasiveness: It offers tips on how to write a compelling LoM that effectively conveys motivation, enthusiasm, and ﬁt for the role to enhance persuasiveness.

PwC is your opportunity to learn with purpose, lead with heart and make a positive impact on the world. Visit our website and explore career opportunities in:

Visit our website to learn more and to apply to any of our programmes.

Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Proﬁle

by Bridgetti Mashabane

A Step-by-Step Guide

LINKEDIN IS AN INDISPENSABLE TOOL FOR JOB SEEKERS, offering access to millions of companies and a network of professionals worldwide. By optimising your LinkedIn proﬁle and using its features effectively, you will signiﬁcantly enhance your job search. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you make the most of LinkedIn.

Step 1: Optimise your LinkedIn proﬁle

Importance: Your profile photo is the first thing recruiters see. Choose a photo that creates a positive first impression.

How to choose:

• Quality: Use a high-resolution headshot.

• Background: Plain, uncluttered background.

• Attire: Wear professional, business-casual clothing.

• Expression: Smile to appear friendly and approachable. (Do not pout)

Purpose: Reinforce your professional/personal brand.

How to Choose: Select an image relevant to your industry or personal brand, such as a professional setting or a creative design.

1.1 Professional Photo

Linkedin Proﬁle Picture Do's and Dont's

1.2 Background Photo

1.3 Headline

Importance: Your headline is a critical element that markets you to potential employers.

How to draft:

• Keywords: Include job titles and industry-speciﬁc terms. (Use words that will prompt someone to click on your proﬁle, you can also add the industry you wish to work in)

• Format: Use a vertical bar (|) to separate different roles (e.g., "Marketing Intern | Content Creator | Future Communications specialist").

• Headline example for job-seeker: Title at a current company or target job role | Specialisation or key skills | Industryrelated keywords | Accomplishments | Passion projects or side hustle.

• Avoid Auto-Updates: When adding new job experiences, uncheck the box that auto-updates your headline to prevent overwriting your customised headline.

1.4 About Section

Purpose: Summarise your professional background and career goals.

Types of summaries:

• Academic Summary: Highlight your educational background, areas of expertise, and career aspirations.

• Skills-Based Summary: Focus on key skills developed through education and experience.

• Work Experience Summary: Outline your work experience, key achievements, and career interests.

1.5 Experience

How to detail:

• Provide concise descriptions of your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments for each position.

• Highlight key projects and measurable outcomes.

• You can also add links, PDFs, videos, and images to show examples of your work, presentations, written or video testimonials.

• Ensure that there are no grammatical errors and typos.

1.6 Education and Accomplishments

What to include:

• Degrees, certiﬁcations, microcredentials and relevant coursework.

• Media, links to projects, and notable achievements.

67MILLION

GLOBAL REACH: Over 67 million companies are represented on LinkedIn.

67%

RECRUITER INSIGHTS: 67% of recruiters believe that professionals hired through LinkedIn are of higher quality.

72%

RECRUITER INSIGHTS: Around 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn as a primary tool for sourcing talent.

1.7 Skills and Endorsements

How to manage:

• List relevant skills and prioritise the most important ones.

• Seek endorsements from colleagues and peers to validate your skills.

1.8 Recommendations

Importance: Recommendations add credibility to your proﬁle.

How to obtain:

• Request recommendations from former supervisors, lecturers, peers, tutors, tutees, colleagues and mentors.

• Offer to write recommendations for others to encourage reciprocation.

1.9 Customised URL

Purpose: Edit your LinkedIn URL to make it unique and easy to remember (e.g., linkedin.com/in/your name and surname). See guideline below.

Profile language English

Public profile & URL www.linkedin.com/in/mbridgetti

Edit your custom URL

Personalize the URL for your profile.

Note: Your custom URL must contain 3-100 letters or numbers. Please do not use spaces, symbols or special characters. Cancel Save www.linkedin.com/in/mbridgetti

Step 2: Build your network

2.1 Connect with professionals

How to expand:

• Send connection requests to industry professionals, former colleagues, and classmates.

• Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool to ﬁnd and connect with fellow alumni from your school or university. (Search for your institution, follow the page, click on alumni) You can search by where they work or live, what they do or are skilled at, what they studied and/or how you are connected).

2.2 Research Companies

How to use:

• Follow company pages to stay updated about their news and job openings.

• Connect with current employees to gain insights into the company’s culture and job opportunities.

Step 3: Engage with your network

3.1 Be active and visible

How to engage:

• Regularly post updates and insights relevant to your industry and interests.

• Like, comment, and share posts from your connections to stay visible.

3.2 Join relevant groups

How to participate:

• Join LinkedIn groups related to your industry, interests, or job function.

• Engage in discussions, share your expertise, and network with group members.

3.3 Follow inﬂuencers and hashtags

How to stay informed:

• Follow industry leaders, relevant newsletters, and educational institutions.

• Track relevant hashtags to see content on topics of interest in your newsfeed.

Step 4: Utilise LinkedIn tools

4.1 Jobs

How to use:

• Explore job listings and use ﬁlters to reﬁne your search by location, industry, and job function.

• Save searches and set up email alerts for new job openings.

• Utilise the interview preparation resources, including tips and feedback tools.

Viewed • Promoted •Easy Apply

4.2 Engage

with recruiters

How to connect:

• Send personalised connection requests to recruiters and hiring managers.

• Express your interest in their companies and inquire about job opportunities.

4.3 Utilise LinkedIn Learning

Importance: Enhances your skills and keeps you competitive.

How to benefit: Enroll in courses related to your field and showcase completed courses on your profile. (Click on ‘For business’, scroll down and click on Learning to see the available courses). You can personalise your learning by setting your career goal and you will get course recommendations.

4.4 Become a LinkedIn Instructor

How to Share Expertise: Create and teach courses on LinkedIn Learning to establish yourself as a thought leader in your ﬁeld. (This feature is under the LinkedIn Learning tab right at the bottom)

By following these detailed steps, you can optimise your LinkedIn proﬁle, build a strong professional network, and engage effectively with potential employers. LinkedIn’s comprehensive tools and features make it a powerful platform for advancing your career and achieving your job search goals.

developer in South Africa

Deposita Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa (Hybrid)

Junior DevOps Engineer

Dating: Where every moment matters…

by Imrah Dramat

DATING STIRS A WHIRLWIND OF EMOTIONS — nervousness, self-doubt, excitement, and a drive for self-improvement. As the search begins, networking leads to ﬁrst dates, connections are found, compatibility is assessed, rejection is navigated, disappointment is dealt with

through self-reﬂection, and ultimately, the journey to ﬁnding your potential partner is embraced. Job search is much like dating. Yes, you read that correctly. In both scenarios, you must present the best version of yourself in hopes of being chosen.

Preparing for your job search and ﬁnding your ‘potential partner’ both require intention, conﬁdence, authenticity and effort. By recognising and using these parallels this article aims to guide you to feel more familiar and less intimidated in navigating the job market.

The Search Begins

In the early stages of dating, you put yourself out there, whether socially or online. You let those close to you know you're open to mingle, message those you find attractive on social media, join dating apps, put more effort into your appearance, and socialise with like-minded people. Job search commences in a similar pattern. Polish your CV and cover letter (make use of your university’s Career Services), spruce up your LinkedIn profile and add an 'open to work' badge, join various job boards, and let your network know you're seeking new opportunities. Both pursuits demand effort, visibility, and a proactive approach to finding the right match.

Making Connections: Networking and ﬁnding the connection

In order to meet the right person, you have to build relationships, where you get to know others and establish connections. Similarly, in job search, networking is crucial. Networking is building relationships within your community and industry, attending career expos, connecting with professionals on LinkedIn, and spending more time using your university’s Career Services. Just as dating can lead to a meaningful relationship, effective networking can open doors to job opportunities and career advancements.

Chemistry and Compatibility is assessed

Chemistry and compatibility are not the same, although both are important in relationships and career choices. Chemistry in relationships is about the natural connection or attraction you feel towards another person and is often driven by emotions, physical attraction, and instinctive feelings. In a job search context, it could be the immediate excitement or interest you feel about a role or company due to its good marketing, successful alumni and potential perks.

Both chemistry and compatibility are important,

but

for lasting success in relationships or career choices, compatibility tends to play a more crucial role.

Compatibility is about how well two people align in their values, goals, interests, and lifestyles. You might feel strong chemistry with someone because of physical attraction and shared interests, but if you have different values or life goals, the relationship might not be compatible long-term. In a career context, it’s how well your skills, values, and goals align with the job and company. It encompasses cultural ﬁt, alignment of personal and organisational values, and long-term career aspirations.You might be excited about a job (chemistry) because of its perks or the initial impression, but if the company's culture and values don't align with yours it might not be a compatible choice.

Both chemistry and compatibility are important, but for lasting success in relationships or career choices, compatibility tends to play a more crucial role.

Dealing with and navigating Disappointment

It is inevitable to experience setbacks in both dating and your job search. How you bounce back matters more. Disappointment is dealt with through self-reﬂection, staying resilient, maintaining conﬁdence by continuing to put yourself out there and trying different approaches. In dating, this could involve trying different dating apps, attending social events, or asking friends to introduce you to new people. In job searching, it could involve auditing and editing your CV, seeking feedback from interviews, attending industry conferences, or expanding your network on LinkedIn. Embracing these strategies can help you remain proactive and optimistic, turning rejection into a stepping stone toward success.

The deciding factor…

Once you decide to commit—whether it's with a romantic partner or securing a job opportunity—the moment is exhilarating. In both dating and your job search, ﬁnding the 'potential match' means affirming compatibility.

• Sharing similar long-term goals.

• Alignment with career aspirations.

• Alignment of core values and beliefs.

• Organisation's mission resonates with personal values.

• Mutual respect.

Making informed decisions will help you ﬁnd a fulﬁlling and lasting match in both romantic relationships and job search.

Building Lasting Relationships

To ensure something lasts, you need to nurture and sustain it. In a relationship, this means putting in effort, such as regularly spending quality time together, communicating openly, and supporting each other. Similarly, for your career to thrive, you must actively invest in your growth and development. This involves seeking opportunities to learn, pursuing further education, attending industry events, and keeping up to date with industry trends. This dedication to growth ensures that both your relationships and career can ﬂourish and remain fulﬁlling over time.

Embrace the Journey

Much like dating, job search is a journey ﬁlled with ups and downs. It requires you to present the best version of yourself, staying resilient through disappointment, and continuously seeking growth and improvement. Recognising the parallels between these two experiences can make the process manageable.

Approach your job search with the same enthusiasm, optimism, and resilience you bring to dating. This increases your chances of finding a fulfilling and lasting match, whether in your career or personal life. Embrace the journey with confidence, knowing that an opportunity is out there, waiting for you to discover it. CU

Can I get a job without having my actual degree?

by Nazrana Parker

EACH YEAR MANY STUDENTS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION DUE TO OUTSTANDING FEES. UWC offers graduates the opportunity to make necessary ﬁnancial arrangements for graduation and participate in a symbolic graduation.

A symbolic graduation implies that you will be permitted to participate in the ceremony and your name will appear in the graduation booklet and during the ceremony, however, you will not receive a graduation certiﬁcate nor a transcript until your outstanding debt has been settled.

You will however receive a formal letter of completion with your graduation date. Whether you decide to opt into this offer or have graduation pending do not hesitate in your job search.

Yes it is challenging to apply for jobs without having your degree certiﬁcate and transcripts. However, there are several strategies you can consider:

1. Emphasize Relevant Experience

Focus on highlighting any relevant work experience, internships, or practical skills that you have gained. Many employers value hands-on experience and skills as much as your formal education.

2. Professional Development

Consider enrolling in professional development courses, obtaining certiﬁcations, or acquiring new skills through online platforms (micro -credentials). This can help demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and skill development.

3. Networking

Utilise your professional network to seek out opportunities. Personal referrals and recommendations can sometimes outweigh formal qualiﬁcations.

4. Freelancing or Entrepreneurship

Consider freelancing or starting your own business to gain practical experience and build a portfolio that showcases your skills and expertise.

5. Be Honest and Transparent

When applying for jobs, be honest about your educational situation and focus on your strengths and what you can bring to the role. UWC Student Administration Helpdesk are

able to issue a standard verification of qualification completed for graduates in respect of verification or screening companies requesting such information provided that they adhere to the POPIAct.

In addition to the above they are also able to issue a letter of completion for students yet to graduate due to fees owed.

Check this link for more information https://www.uwc.ac.za/study/academicadministration/graduation-information

Every situation is unique. It's important to remember that it’s not just your degree that gets you hired, it is YOU, your experiences and attitude to learning and your potential value you can bring to an organisation. CU

Welcome to your Mock Interview

Reasons why you should use the UWC Career Xplora Mock Interview Tool

COST-FREE ACCESS: Like the rest of UWC Career Xplora, this tool is available at no cost to students and alumni, making it easily accessible. Save on data costs and log in via UWC VPN.

DIVERSE QUESTION SELECTION: Students can select from a variety of interview questions tailored to different qualiﬁcations, roles, and behavioural scenarios, ensuring relevance to speciﬁc job search needs.

PERSONALISED PREPARATION:

Upon question selection, you can save your customised lists of questions, name them per role/industry, draft your answers beforehand, practise and thereby enhance your readiness for a real interview and respond to questions effectively.

RECORDING AND FEEDBACK: You can record your mock interviews and download/share the recordings often. This feature enables you to review your performance to assess the effectiveness of your answers and reﬁne your interview skills. You can share it with mentors and alumni to receive constructive feedback.

VIDEO CAPABILITY: The video recording capability helps you evaluate not only your verbal responses but also your non-verbal communication such as body

language and facial expressions. This comprehensive feedback improves overall interview presentation.

NERVOUSNESS REDUCTION: It helps reduce anxiety and nervousness associated with interviews.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Provide insights into industry/role-speciﬁc interview questions and nuances, helping you align your responses accordingly.

CONFIDENCE BOOSTER: It can boost your confidence, making you feel more prepared and capable for actual job interviews. With regular practice, you can refine your interview skills, including articulating your strengths and answering questions confidently.

REALISTIC EXPERIENCE: It simulates a realistic interview environment, helping you understand the dynamics and pressure of a formal interview setting.

CAREER READINESS: Ultimately, it enhances your overall career readiness, equipping you with practical skills essential for marketing your capabilities.

So to increase your chances of landing a desired job use the UWC Career Xplora Portal Mock Interview Tool to enhance your interview performance!

Exciting News for Recent Grads!

Are you ready to take your first big step into the world of finance? Well, hold onto your hats because we've got something special cooking up just for you!

Introducing the 2025 Sanlam Graduate Programme – your ticket to an exhilarating journey in the dynamic realm of data analytics!

But hey, before you start picturing yourself lost in a sea of spreadsheets, let us tell you, this ain't your average 9-to-5 gig! As a Top Employer for 9 consecutive years, Sanlam is all about turning work into play, and this programme is the ultimate playground for your curious mind!

So, what's in it for you, you ask?

Dive Deep into Data: They’ll equip you with all the tools and know-how to become a bona fide data wizard. From crunching numbers to crafting insights, you'll be the go-to guru in no time!

Exposure Across Africa: With Sanlam's international presence, you'll have the chance to collaborate with colleagues from around the continent.

Hands-On Learning: Say goodbye to boring lectures and hello to real-world challenges! Through hands-on projects and mentorship from industry pros, you'll gain invaluable experience that'll set you apart from the crowd.

Continuous Growth: Learning doesn't stop at graduation – it's just the beginning! With their commitment to continuous development, you'll have access to a wealth of resources to fuel your professional growth every step of the way.

But hey, enough with the chit-chat! If you're ready to kickstart your career with a bang, then what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of work with Sanlam and let's make some magic happen together!

Check out more details and how to apply here: https://linktr.ee/sanlamgradprogramme

Cheers to new beginnings!

reasons why you should join the UWC Alumni Network 4

Show Pride

Supporting your university shows pride in your education. Are you proud of having graduated? Does your qualiﬁcation signify your feelings for your university? Alumni support is essential to keeping this pride alive. Membership will provide you a voice in the overall direction of the Alumni Association, which ultimately helps to shape the future of the University.

Professional networking

By attending Alumni events you can access to a multitude of resources and connections that may be hard to get on your own.

1 2 3 4

Giving Back

Graduates often want to stay connected to their alma mater and help future generations of alumni have the same opportunities and positive experiences they did. Alumni associations offer several ways to give back. Giving back to an alumni association is a great way to keep the university’s legacy going and ensure that future generations of students have the opportunity to pursue quality higher education. Whether through scholarship donations, activity support or awards, your membership can bring about a whole lot of good for students who are now in the position you once occupied. (We’re sure that you probably appreciated the help you got back then too.

Career Services

Access to career services support is essential, especially when you’re just starting out. Your campus alumni office will promote workshops, webinars and recruitment events open to recent graduates.

Advice from Mr Niven Maree UWC Alumni Relations Manager

“Do not ever underestimate the power of the UWC alumni network. It provides our young alumni an opportunity to continue their personal development and growth through an established social network.”

The UWC Alumni Relations Office is the gateway to enriching your association with your beloved UWC. Through regular communication we keep our alumni updated on all things UDubs.”

The UWC Alumni Relations Office regularly assists individual alumni to connect with UWC alumni communities across the world.”

Coming in 2025

UWC CAREER SERVICES OFFICE REVAMP

by Nazrana Parker

IN AN EVER-EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF EDUCATION AND WORK, career services must adapt and innovate to guide students effectively on their professional journeys.

During the pandemic, we took to the challenge and seamlessly went online, maximising the tools on the UWC Career Xplora portal to provide you with a virtual career service experience. Later we adapted

to hybrid support. Since the full-time return to campus, we realised that our space does not speak to the changed and growing needs of both our students and recruiters.

Our effort to improve our endeavours to become the one-stop shop for job search preparation and graduate recruitment we officially changed our name from the Office for Student Development to UWC Career

We are excited about these improvements and believe they will signiﬁcantly enhance your experience with UWC Career Services.

Services. We are delighted to announce that the next step of our transformative journey is underway and we are undertaking an exciting revamp of our Career Services Office that will enhance how we support your career development and job search efforts!

Our new office will feature a refreshed look with upgraded workstations, private consultation areas, and inviting common spaces designed to foster productive career conversations. While we are busy with our physical makeover, we are also updating components of UWC Career Xplora and customising some new career development tools for you.

The revamp of our physical space will commence in December 2024 and is expected to be completed by April 2025. During this time, there may be some temporary changes to the availability of services, but we’ll keep you updated on any impacts.

We are excited about these improvements and believe they will signiﬁcantly enhance your experience with UWC Career Services.

https://www.uwc.ac.za/campus-life/resources/career-services

Access your campus career services online to prepare for your job search. Download the 'Symplicity Jobs and Careers' App available for Android, IOS and Windows mobile devices. Visit Career Services in the Student Centre or email us at careerxplora@uwc.ac.za for assistance in strategising your job search and/or completing your UWC Career Xplora proﬁle at https://uwc-csm.symplicity.com/students

Be prepared for the future Wees gereed vir die toekoms Zilungiselele ikamva