THE COUNSELLING & CAREERS DEVELOPMENT UNIT (CCDU)
A WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE AND SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS
Our services are geared towards the enhancement of student well-being and
academic success.
CCCDU OFFERS PROFESSIONAL AND EMPOWERING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
These include:
• Personal Counselling and Support Groups
• Career Counselling & Education
• Psychometric Career Assessments
• Graduate Recruitment Programme
• Journey to Employability Programme
• Psycho-Educative Presentations, Workshops & Trainings
• Peer Advocacy and Education
• Mentorship
• Social Justice & Mental Health Awareness
PERSONAL COUNSELLING/THERAPY
What happens during counselling/therapy?
Therapy provides a safe space where you can talk about your concerns in a supportive and accepting environment. The therapist listens, empathises and reflects on your concerns, feelings, thoughts and fears. They will initially ask questions related to your concerns. The therapist does not try to give you advice; rather, they will use their skills to help you to understand what is happening for you and find ways to work through it. Counselling/therapy is provided in both group and individual contexts.
HOW MUCH CONFIDENTIALITY CAN I EXPECT?
All counselling at the CCDU is kept strictly confidential. This means that we cannot release any information about you without your permission. There are only exceptions if we are legally or ethically required to tell someone, e.g. if you are at risk of harm. If you have any concerns about confidentiality, please discuss these with your therapist.
Who will my therapist be?
Depending on the nature of the issue presented, you may be seen by:
Psychologists and social workers who offer a broad range of approaches and perspectives or by intern psychologists and social workers who are in their final year of training and are under the supervision of senior staff.
CAREER COUNSELLING
What is career counselling?
Career Counselling offers students a space to explore their interests, values and abilities with a view to developing a suitable career plan or career path.
Some of the issues that students discuss in career counselling include the following:
• Clarification of career goals
• Exploring alternative study programmes
• Alignment of curriculum with career goals
• Adjustment to university
• Job search skills and world of work awareness
• Individual and specific career concerns
The CCDU has a team of Career Educators who are available on a drop-in or appointment basis.
Please contact the CCDU to make an appointment. Drop-in sessions are usually between 10h30-12h30 and 13h30-15h30
PSYCHOMETRIC CAREER ASSESSMENTS
A career development assessment may be able to guide an individual’s career decision-making process. We offer a battery of psychometric tests and questionnaires to assess learning potential, interests, personality and values. The results of this assessment can help to identify strengths and areas for development.
The results are discussed with the student in a feedback session with a psychologist or intern psychologist. During the feedback session, the client is taken through a decision-making process which should help to narrow down career options and enable decision making.
There is a fee charged for the psychometric career assessment and registered Wits Students pay a discounted rate.
Please contact the CCDU reception for the booking procedure and further information on the fee structure.
Psychometric Career Assessments take place on Thursdays and Fridays from 08:00am-11:30am.
THE WITS GRADUATE RECRUITMENT PROGRAMME (GRP)
This is a free service offered to Wits students and aims to facilitate contact between Wits students and prospective employers. The Unit hosts over 150 companies interested in recruiting Wits Graduates each year and students can engage with recruiters through several events including Career Exhibitions, Company Presentations and networking events held throughout the academic year. The Graduate Recruitment Programme also facilitates contact between employers and students for the purpose of part-time and casual job opportunities.
To keep abreast of events in the Graduate Recruitment Programme, follow us on:
Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram: Wits Graduate Recruitment Programme Twitter: @Wits_GRP
JOURNEY TO EMPLOYABILITY [JEM]
This programme offers students a range of workshops and presentations to prepare for the job search process and self-management in the world of work. Workshops and presentations are facilitated by experts in their fields and experienced individuals from the workplace.
Some of the topics covered include:
• Preparation for the Job Search – CV & Interview
• Workplace Ethics and Etiquette
• Financial Intelligence for the New Graduate
• Adding Value as a New Graduate
Details of the programme are on the CCDU webpage. Visit: www.wits.ac.za/ccdu/ and click on the Job Skills Resources tab and then Journey to Employability.
ADVOCACY PROGRAMMES
Our services aim to facilitate a supportive university environment through prevention, education and support initiatives which are integrated into various aspects of university life. These services look at the holistic well-being of students, focuses on healthy and positive lifestyles and seeks to empower students to thrive on campus during their academic programme. Our advocacy work is derived from the mental wellness strategy and forms part of the continuum of support and care offered to students.
Services include:
• Psychosocial Presentations and Workshops to enhance student resilience and coping
• Mental Health awareness campaigns
• Integrated Social Justice and Wellness campaigns, including HIV education
• Reach out campaigns to facilitate access to support services
• Hosting of and facilitating student dialogues
• A partner in mentorship programmes
• Peer Education training and support
CCDU Braamfontein
CCDU Building, Braamfontein Campus West Closest Entrance: Gate 9, Enoch Sontonga Ave (Search WITS CCDU on Google Maps) 011 717 9140/32
CCDU Education Campus, Parktown Marang Building, Ground Floor Education Campus, Parktown 011 717 3269
Business Hours for both offices: Mon-Fri 08h00 – 16h30
info.ccdu@wits.ac.za www.wits.ac.za/ccdu