A MAGAZINE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT C… · A MAGAZINE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT te FROM THE ED TEAM AUGUST 2017 SUBBING, DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Kult Creative PRINTING: FingerPrint Worker

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F R O M H O P E T O A C T I O N T H R O U G H K N O W L E D G E .

updateA MAGAZINE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT

AUGUST 2017

3 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED CAREERS SERVICE GOES DIGITAL

12 CREATING A PROFESSIONAL CULTURE EMBEDDING STUDENT

EMPLOYABILITY IN THE CURRICULUM

23 THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT SHOWCASING OUR GRADSTARS

33 BE CAREFUL… SOMEONE IS CHECKING ON YOU MAINTAINING A RESPONSIBLE ONLINE PROFILE

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| UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE | CAREER UPDATE 2017 | 1

updateA MAGAZINE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT

FROM THE ED TEAM

AUGUST 2017

SUBBING, DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Kult CreativePRINTING: FingerPrint Worker Co-operative Ltd

Thank you to all the writers and participants.Career Update, August 2017TELEPHONE: 021 959 2436EMAIL: [email protected].

Career Update is produced by the Offi ce for Student Development, University of the Western Cape.

EDITORS: Winston Middleton, Nazrana Parker, Euneece Van der Bergh.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and writers and do not necessarily represent nor refl ect 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

W elcome to Career Update 2017. This Magazine is part of the arsenal in our students’ job search as they plan their exit from UWC into the world of work. We thank the recruiters without whose contribution this publication

would not be possible. We have been asked why we continue to publish this Magazine. Our response is that our Offi ce is part of a wider student development division and we love showcasing the success of our students. The year has been very exciting. Over the past few months we viewed numerous webinars, endured many evening Skype meetings, came to grips with quirky Americanisms, were stumped, got creative, and had fun learning new techniques. This was part of the customisation of our new careers service management portal and the realisation of a ten-year dream. We launched our portal branded “Career Xplora” at our SDS Day in May 2017. To date, over 2000 students have logged on and are using this platform. With 1 in 7 people in the world living with a disability, we speak to a student who refuses to let his disability defi ne him and feature a graduate who has come out tops in her fi eld. Careers Service is not the sole driver of student graduateness, employability and job-readiness. Career Update showcases our academic champions who are leading the charge in preparing students for the world of work. We pay tribute to our students who made it to the Top 10 of the 2016 GradStar Awards and we trust that their feat will encourage other students to participate in similar challenges and co-curricular activities. With over 25% of South Africans using Facebook, Career Update cautions students to manage their online persona as someone is checking on them. We trust that every reader will draw from the experiences mentioned in these articles in fi nding their ideal employer or starting their own business.

THE ED TEAMWINSTON MIDDLETON, NAZRANA PARKER, EUNEECE VAN DER BERGH AND NATALIE MARRION

28 Playing to your strengths by Lester Malgas and Winston Middleton

33 Be careful…someone is checking on you

by Euneece Van der Bergh

35 Ingredients for a successful job search

3 The eagle has landed by Nazrana Parker

6 Gathering intelligence by Lester Malgas

9 Do not let your disability define you

by Euneece Van der Bergh

12 Creating a professional culture

by Lester Malgas and Nazrana Parker

16 Taking responsibility for your job search

by Lester Malgas

18 Wall of Fame

23 The future looks bright by Lester Malgas and Winston Middleton

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©2017. PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”). All rights reserved. (17-20139)

from CA to Consulting

pwc.co.za/students

The opportunity of a lifetimeYour career is just that, yours. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen. To get the best from it, you need the best opportunities. That’s why opportunities are at the heart of PwC careers.

Opportunities to grow as an individual, to work

impact in a place where people, quality and value mean everything.

www.facebook.com/PwCSouthAfrica

www.twitter.com/pwc_za

Actuarial Assurance

Risk Assurance

Tax

Consulting

Technology

Deals Forensics

Legal


Career Xplora will enrich your Student Experience by providing a meaningful and

stimulating job search experience. Career Xplora will also enhance UWC’s brand and provide an additional mode of engagement with students and recruiters. UWC has positioned itself as an institution of choice when employers search for top talent.

WHICH COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM DO YOU VALUE THE MOST?

CV review and received feedback

Job Board Employer Directory Resume Builder Careers by Symplicity' App Career Service events - Career Xpo Career Service events - Career Graduate Recruitment Mock Interview

Comments by students

As a student on the verge of graduating it makes getting in touch with prospective employers easier.

The CV review process opened my views to new thinking. I clearly saw several things I overlooked.

CAREER XPLORA

In May 2017, the Offi ce for Student Development offi cially launched Career Xplora, our new Career Service Management tool powered by Symplicity.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDEDCAREERS SERVICE GOES DIGITALby Nazrana Parker

17.9%

32.1%

21.4%

17.9%

>>

CAREER XPLORA WILL ENRICH YOUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL AND STIMULATING JOB SEARCH EXPERIENCE.


CAREER XPLORA

MASTERING THE INTRICACIES OF HOME OWNERSHIP

Handling property transactions fl awlessly is second nature to us.

Q&AWHEN IS THE OPENING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ARTICLES?We have accepted applications since 1 May 2015 for 2017, while we are also now accepting applications for 2019.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION FOR ARTICLES FOR 2018?30 April 2017

DO YOU ACCEPT ANY LATE ENTRIES FOR APPLICATION FOR ARTICLES?Interviews will be conducted during June 2017; therefore we cannot accept late applications for articles for 2018.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A CANDIDATE ATTORNEY?An LLB qualifi cation is compulsory, and any supporting subject combinations are acceptable. Previous experience / practical exposure to the legal industry via vacation work are essential. Involvement in community projects will also add value. Our successful candidates are team players (either in leadership roles or members of a team) who take ownership of their tasks. A combination of the mentioned elements plus a sound academic record will guarantee an interview.

WHY SHOULD A STUDENT APPLY TO YOUR FIRM?STBB has a structured rotation program whereby Candidate Attorneys receive exposure to 4 different legal areas during their 2-year contract of articles. We believe in teamwork and have an open door policy to encourage regular communication on all levels. We focus on training in order to develop competent and confi dent Candidate Attorneys.

WHERE ARE YOUR OFFICES LOCATED?Western Cape: Our head offi ce is in Cape Town,while we have 6 other branches in the Western Cape.

Gauteng: We have 4 branches in Gauteng. Please refer to our website for more information regarding the location of these branches and the services we provide. Visit www.stbb.co.za

WHAT TRAINING DO YOU OFFER CANDIDATE ATTORNEYS AND WHAT IS YOUR ROTATION DURING ARTICLES?We conduct monthly in-house courses on the different areas of law. We also encourage our Candidate Attorneys to attend external courses as advertised by the Cape Law Society, LSSA and other accredited training providers.

WHAT ARE YOUR FIRM’S PRACTICING FIELDS AND SPECIALIST AREAS?The majority of our business is linked to Property law (Conveyancing), while we also specialise in the following areas: Commercial Law Litigation Estates , Wills & Trusts Construction law Tax law Labour Law Family Law Personal Injury and Insurance Law

SOME GUIDELINES RECEIVED FROM A CANDIDATE ATTORNEY:“Enter the profession with an open mind. There are a wide variety of practice areas in the legal field and whilst one might feel drawn to a specific field during your varsity days, this might quickly change when you get practical exposure into other fields. Use the opportunity during your articles to learn as much about the field you might be interested in, while at the same time, ensuring that you learn about the basics of law.” - Jo-Ann Moodley(2nd year Candidate Attorney)

ANY NEWS AT YOUR FIRM OR BIG CURRENT CASES WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO MENTION?STBB is continuously involved in large projects. A recent achievement is where we successfully acted on behalf of an international contractor on a long term retainer basis in an arbitration relating to a well-known marine quarrying and breakwater project in South Africa.

DO YOU HAVE A VACATION PROGRAM? Yes, we offer a vacation program twice per annum. The dates for this year are as follows:

3rd until the 7th of July 2017 27th of November until the 1st of

December 2017

These students visit the different courts, participate in a mock trial and attend presentations by our Attorneys on all the services we provide to clients.

HOW SHOULD I SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR ARTICLES?Please visit our website at www.stbb.co.za to obtain details of our requirements for the application process. Required documents:

Cover letter plus summarised CV Certifi ed copy of ID Certifi ed copies of academic transcripts

Two dated written testimonials, not older than 6 months

Code of Good Conduct from the university attended

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT REGARDING FURTHER INFORMATION?You are welcome to contact Marianne Marais (HR Manager) for further information:

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (021) 406 9100 Fax: (021) 419 6607

COMMERCIAL LAW | CONVEYANCING | DEVELOPMENT LAW | LABOUR LAWESTATES | FAMILY LAW | LITIGATION | PERSONAL INJURIES & 3RD PARTY CLAIMS

www.stbb.co.za

Cape Town 021 406 9100 | Claremont 021 673 4700 | Fish Hoek 021 784 1580Somerset Mall 021 850 6400 | Stellenbosch 021 001 1170 Blouberg 021 521 4000 | Tyger Valley 021 943 3800 | Illovo 011 219 6200Fourways 010 001 2632 | Centurion 012 001 1546 | Bedfordview 011 453 0577

MORE THAN JUST THE PAPER WORK

How has Career Xplora enhanced your job search experience?

Career Xplora has improved my job search experience. I had my CV reviewed before my Mock Interviews.

… and view employment opportunities using a 'safe and secure' platform.

I feel this system is brilliant…

Knowing that the University is aiding students to fi nd their dream job is already a huge benefi t.

Let us unlock Career XploraThe Job Board allows you to receive job opportunities in real time.

The Employer Directory allows you to check out company profi les in your sector and follow your favourites.

Get electronic notifi cations of upcoming Careers Service events such as the Careers Xpo, Company

Showcases and Presentations and sync these to your Google Calendar.

The Mock Interview tool allows you to practise your interview skills. Choose a predetermined set of questions or select your own.

Download the ‘Careers by Symplicity’ App available for Android, IOS and Windows mobile devices.

Visit Careers Service at the Offi ce for Student Development in the Student Centre or email us at [email protected] for assistance in completing your UWC Career Xplora profi le (https://uwc-csm.symplicity.com/students).


BSc (Hons) (Computer Science) | Technology Fanatic BT Analyst at RMB Credit and Risk

They say dynamite comes in small packages. Darren van Roodt is no exception. Despite having won several awards for his computer programming and development skills, he remains humble and hungry to learn more. He recently joined RMB through the RMB Graduate Programme, and is currently making his presence felt in a big and impressive way in the Credit and Risk division.

His curious nature to fi nd out and understand how things work led to his choice to study Computer Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. It was during his fi rst year at varsity that he and his team from the Algorithm Circle, developed and built an App to help students solve mathematical problems with the help of tutors. This App won them the fi rst prize in the CodeJam Competition held by the Western Cape Colab in 2013.

While his initial choice was to join the Business Technology team at RMB, Darren opted to join the Credit and Risk team to broaden his scope to learn more about the inner workings of a corporate and investment bank. Darren is full of praise for RMB’s fl at operational structure and owner-manager culture, and the fact that he can work fl exi hours, and wear smart, casual clothes to work.

Darren hopes to one day become a line manager and play a part in defi ning the structures of systems in the bank. He also hopes to pay it forward one day, by inspiring and uplifting communities: “I want to give back to my community and inspire other young people to follow their dreams and use their talents.”

When Darren is not hard at work at RMB, he enjoys playing soccer, going for hikes and playing computer games (of course).

Be a part of the equation. Visit www.rmb.co.za from 1 June - 14 August to submit your CV.

- uter

mew

.


COMPANY RESEARCH

As with many things in life, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Company research is not only about being an outstanding candidate at interviews. It also is benefi cial in assessing how well aligned a particular post is with your career goals and aspirations. Now that you have found a good fi t between yourself and the company, you are ready to capture the attention of the recruiter.

What information am I looking for? It is important that you demonstrate to a potential employer that you have researched their company. To begin, you need to read the organisation’s mission and vision statement, and acquaint yourself with their objectives. Check whether their values are consistent with yours as this will allow you to determine a good

match. Some people aspire to achieve social good through their work, and as such, often choose to work for an NGO or civil society organisation as opposed to a big corporate or government.

Knowing the company history is of value. It is important to have a sense of how they view themselves in their industry and against their competitors - is the company a leader with a national/global footprint or an up-and-coming entity? Know their clientele, products and services, and the location of their operations. In preparation for interviews, also acquaint yourself with their organogram and pay attention to the staff within the relevant department.

The Right FitFinding the right company fi t is a process that commences at the early stages of your job search, rather than a decision that you make during or after a job interview. The more research you do about a potential employer the easier it will be for you to fi nd the ideal match. Remember, you spend a large portion of your adult life at work, thus choosing an ideal employer is crucial to your job satisfaction. What do you want to ascertain about the company? Try fi nding a

by Lester Malgas

GATHERINGintelligence

The time and eff ort taken to research prospective employers is of immense value in preparing your job search documents and for the fi rst interview.

>>


COMPANY RESEARCH

© 2017 Grant Thornton South Africa. All rights reserved. Grant Thornton South Africa is a member fi rm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

www.grantthornton.co.za

To fi nd out more visit:

Audit • Tax • Advisory

At Grant Thornton, exceptional people are empowered to make a real diff erence.

Our culture ignites and fosters high performance. We’re passionate about our clients’ success – and we caredeeply about our work and each other. We’re committedto our people, our clients and the communities welive in to make a diff erence.

For graduates, Grant Thornton is a fi rm whereyou can derive meaning, challenge and opportunity from the work you do. We want you to become the best you can be. You’ll be actively encouraged to develop your skills, working with our transformational leaders and engaging in Grant Thornton’s structuredlearning programs. You’ll gain exposure to clients on multiple projects, experience fresh approaches and be actively encouraged to progress your career. Plus, importantly, our comprehensive graduate training program will help launch you as a confi dent advisor.


COMPANY RESEARCH

potential match with the company and your personality, values, work ethic, potential and worldview, among other. Determine if the company is amenable to youthful and innovative ideas by checking out the staff profi le including people from diverse backgrounds.

Where will I fi nd the relevant information?There is no one-stop-shop for fi nding everything about a company. Let us examine a few sources.

JOB ADVERTThe job advert is usually your fi rst port of call. It contains information primarily about the requirements for and duties of the post rather than information about the company. Therefore you have to look further.

COMPANY WEBSITEHere you should find most of the basic information about the company including its products and services. Some company websites have a well-established ABOUT US and LATEST NEWS pages. Check for news about the launch of new products, corporate social responsibility initiatives, new partnerships and clients or industry-specific developments and innovations. Some websites even profile key persons in the company such as directors or department heads. Annual Reports contain useful information. If these are not available online feel free to request it telephonically. Read the CAREERS page for current information about graduate and internship programmes and how these fit into the business needs.

CAREER MAGAZINESLook for copies of the latest career magazines available at our Careers Service offi ce. Many of these magazines feature employer profi les as well as successful graduates who provide insight into their career journeys. Our Offi ce distributes the following magazines: Careers SA, Grad X, Companies of the Future, Careers Unlimited and Clu.

NEWS MEDIAIt is important to fi nd out if the company you are researching has been in the recent news. Raising current issues further demonstrates that you are well-informed with current aff airs.

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC WEBSITES AND JOURNALSHere you may fi nd information about companies and industry-specifi c developments and innovations.

EMPLOYER RANKING SITESDoes the company keep its employees productive and happy? What do employees have to say about their employer? Check out the following websites:

Top Employers Institute

Top500: South Africa’s best managed companies

Mail & Guardian - Top Employers Africa Sunday Times - Top 100 Companies Awards

SOCIAL MEDIADue to the ubiquitous and à la mode nature of social media, there is much value in going through these channels when conducting your research. Employers typically announce current events via social media on their company Facebook page and Twitter account. Follow signifi cant people of a company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Applying the informationHaving amassed all this information, it is important that you work strategically with it. Ask yourself the following questions:• Why would I like to work for this

employer?• What makes me a suitable

candidate for the post?

Your letter of motivation and CV is the fi rst engagement with an employer, and fi rst impressions can serve as make-or-break elements. These documents should demonstrate your suitability for the position in question and your knowledge about the company. For example, mention why you wish to work for them in particular and point out that your area of research or assignment (written or practical) is aligned to an aspect of their service. Put all your research to use at the interview. By exhibiting your knowledge about the company and understanding of their business needs should give you an advantage over other candidates. You will also fi nd that your research allows you to ask insightful questions. Finally, being prepared boosts your confi dence. Go and impress!

Share your views about this article with [email protected]

DO NOT LET YOUR DISABILITY DEFINE YOUBy Euneece Van der Bergh

FACING UP TO YOUR CHALLENGES

Career Update speaks to a UWC graduate with a disability about the challenges to be faced in

the world of work and we enlighten students about the enabling environment that is being created. Another graduate with a disability makes the call to ‘never give up’.

But what does ‘disability’ entail? Disability is defi ned in the Employment Equity Act, No 55 of 1998, as “People who have a long-term or recurring physical, including sensory or mental impairment, which substantially limits their prospects of entry into, or advancement in employment.” According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental,

intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and eff ective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Legislation assists graduates with disabilities in the workplaceThe Employment Equity Act addresses inequalities in the workplace and increases diversity. Also, people living with disabilities need to be provided with equal employment opportunities in the workplace. Employers also have to provide “reasonable accommodation” as defi ned by the UNCRPD. This means “the necessary and appropriate modifi cation and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure persons

with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Assistive devices that help a person do something that they might not otherwise be able to do well should also be provided, for example, JAWS (Job Access With Speech). Despite the enabling legislation, Lesa Bradshaw, a disability integration specialist, who herself has a disability, notes that there are still challenges faced by people with disabilities looking for work and entering the workplace. These

The job search process and adaptation to the world of work has become increasingly daunting with graduates facing stiff competition.

IT’S ESTIMATED THAT ONE IN SEVEN PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LIVES WITH A DISABILITY.


>>


FACING UP TO YOUR CHALLENGES

challenges may present themselves as attitudinal, environmental and organisational barriers.

UWC graduatespeaks outOsman Etalla, who has osteo-arthritis and impaired kidney function, was bed-ridden from 2007 to 2011. He enrolled for a BA degree in 2012 at UWC as he could not work anymore. In 2015 he completed the Honours in History.

With time he became stronger and no longer uses crutches. He will complete the post-graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science in this year and does vacation work at the City of Cape Town libraries. In 2018 he will commence employment at a local library. Osman mentioned that his biggest fear about entering the world of work is discrimination and the competitiveness of the work environment. His disability coupled with good academic credentials landed him the post. We asked Osman to share his expectations about his future employer and give advice to students in a similar situation.

CU: What are your expectations related to 'reasonable accommodation' measures to be provided in the workplace?

OE: The workplace must comply and provide an enabling environment, physically and organisationally. These include, for example, ramps and lifts, appropriate toilet facilities and assistive devices. The UWC Offi ce for Students with Disabilities is

great in this respect. Furthermore, I would not want to be treated diff erently from others!

CU: What is your advice for graduates with disabilities?

OE: Firstly, empower yourself by knowing your rights. Secondly, while you may lack confi dence to perform well in the workplace, realise that you have something to off er. We just want a chance to prove that we can add value to a work environment. Lastly, in your work, like in life, there are many setbacks and failures, so learn from it.

Lesa reinforces Osman’s views and encourages graduates to be dedicated, eager, dependable and motivated for any opportunity that comes their way. She further encourages you to seek the support from individuals who have gone through similar experiences.

Dr. Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town and a UWC graduate, is an epitome of a person with a disability and, who despite many obstacles, has built a successful career.

She has initiated many successful projects and is an advocate for the rights for persons with a disability. Earlier this year, Marlene stated in an interview with Radio 702 on ‘Face to Face with Success’, “I realised that I need to educate and drive myself, and I’m not going to sit in a corner and say ‘ag shame this has happened to me’. I am going to make it”.

These views demonstrate that students with a disability must have a positive mindset when embarking on their career journey. Do not let your disability defi ne you.

References• Harris, M (2017, April 30). Expanding diversity

in the workplace. Sunday Times-Careers.

• Chowles, T (2017). Equipping the Workplace

for Disabled Staff . http://ehealthnews.

co.za/equipping-workplace-disabled-staff /

Accessed, June 2017.

• Meet Marlene le Roux, the transformation

stalwart who helms Artscape Theatre

www.kfm.co.za/articles/2017/04/10/meet-

marlene-le-roux Accessed, June 2017.


68% OF SOUTH AFRICANS WHO ARE LIVING WITH A DISABILITY AND ARE OF WORKING AGE HAVE NEVER ATTEMPTED TO FIND EMPLOYMENT.(UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, CENTRE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA, 2014).


PREPARING FOR THE WORLD OF WORK

Career Update explores how academic departments are preparing students

for the job search and the world of work. Careers Service at the Office for Student Development is not, and neither should be, the sole driver of graduateness, employability and job-readiness of our students. Career Update discovered that several academics are leading the charge in preparing their students for the world of work and which has been noticed by recruiters.

CREATING A PROFESSIONAL CULTUREEMBEDDING STUDENT EMPLOYABILITY IN THE CURRICULUMby Lester Malgas and Nazrana Parker

“In preparing students to be excellent professionals and citizens, the University will seek ways of increasing their opportunities to experience the world of work and to participate in practical community service…Our graduates should enter the world of work imbued with a culture of professionalism, and should be critically familiar with the practices and codes of their chosen fi eld.” (UWC INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONAL

PLAN, 2016-2020).



Rosemary Eager, a Junior Lecturer in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, has incorporated elements of the job search into the Life Sciences 152 module of the Extended Curriculum Programme. Careers Service conducts a presentation on compiling a CV and Letter of Motivation to the class. Students are required to hand in a fi rst draft of their CV and Letter of Motivation in response to a mock job advertisement and receive individual feedback on these two documents. They have an option of having their second draft reviewed before submitting both drafts to their lecturer as part of their assignment. A detailed rubric is also provided. This exercise confronts students with the realities of the job search and to prepare for their career journey. “I was motivated by the poor standard of CVs received for our Work Study positions,” she says. “For many of these students”,

she continues, “this may be their fi rst encounter with the job search.”

Many academic departments, however, do not focus specifi cally on the job-readiness of their students. Mrs Eager reasons, “I understand why some departments focus solely on academics or less on the job-readiness of students.” She adds, “time is usually a factor as lecturers are under pressure to complete the curriculum.” She acknowledges that with the faculty’s Extended Curriculum Programme, “there is time to focus on job search preparedness.” There are additional ways of preparing students for the world of work, for example, talks by industry professionals and alumni, and practical exposure to the fi eld of biodiversity through site visits. Mrs Eager said that they off er work-study positions to their senior and postgrad students and inform them about internships, graduate trainee positions and networking opportunities with alumni or prospective employers.

Professor Andy Hsieh, Deputy Dean of Research at the Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences, is putting a signifi cant amount of thought and eff ort into the job-readiness of his students. “As the Head of the EMS Department of Finance in 2012,” he says, “I discovered that there was a misperception of prospective employers and students about each other. Although our students were well equipped through our Finance programmes, they lacked the necessary soft skills and confi dence to showcase themselves to prospective employers.”

He addressed this lack by arranging guest lectures by practitioners from the fi eld. “The ‘mental distance’ between the guest speaker on the stage and students in the classroom persisted,” he says, “as the setting did not facilitate engagement between students and the presenters.” To overcome this limitation, he arranged social events in the evening with power players in the fi nancial sector such as Allan Gray and Sanlam. These were arranged at the respective companies. In this way, he says, “our students could meet and mingle with many of the company’s employees in diff erent roles and job functions including the MD, portfolio managers and analysts. This engagement enabled our students to learn more about the company and prospective employers to get to know our students and their study programmes. The results have been impressive as the ‘perception

MRS ROSEMARY EAGER

I WAS MOTIVATED BY THE POOR STANDARD OF CVs RECEIVED FOR OUR WORK STUDY POSITIONS.

PROFESSOR ANDY HSIEH

OUR STUDENTS LACKED THE NECESSARY SOFT SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO SHOWCASE THEMSELVES TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.

>>



gap’ and ‘mental distance’ between students and prospective employers has closed signifi cantly. Employers reported that our students are brilliant and thirsty for knowledge,” says Professor Hsieh. “Our students are now less intimidated by job interviews,” he adds, “and enthusiastic about their career path.”

Professor Hsieh has done much to make his students marketable. In 2013, he mentored a group of third year Finance students who won the 40th Annual National JSE Investment Challenge, dominating Wits (2nd place) and UCT (3rd place), thus raising the UWC fl ag. These students, Trevor Chatukuta, Abonga Sodawe, Dube Mzwakhe and Athenkosi Mjebeza, along with their mentor, were featured on many local media platforms, including newspapers, magazines and national television, further bolstering the morale and spirit of our Finance students. In an eff ort to put UWC on the map and thus the potential of our Finance students, Professor Hsieh has given interviews and written opinion pieces on fi nancial issues for major media houses.

Fortunately, Professor Hsieh is not a sole player in the Department’s eff orts. “We are fortunate to have Professor Kathleen Hodnett who joined us in 2013,” he says. Professor Hodnett has a wealth of experience in developing and teaching postgraduate research modules. She has restructured the post-graduate Finance Research modules to encourage presentations and debate in the classroom, training students to welcome challenges and become out-of-the-box problem solvers. “Companies often provide feedback

on how well-spoken our students are,” says Professor Hsieh. Many graduates ascribe their success to the learning in the Finance Honours Research modules.

And there’s more. To further strengthen students’ chances of competing in a cut-throat industry, students are tasked with presenting recent financial major events or announcements for review and debate with classmates and staff in the Finance Seminar and Finance Research post-graduate modules. In this way, students are kept abreast of current affairs which will put them in good stead at an interview. Networking is also an important strategy for Professor Hsieh. “In past years, I invited alumni to a networking evening with our students.”

Professors Hodnett and Hsieh maintain ties with UWC Careers Service, encouraging their students to take advantage of aptitude tests and mock interviews, among other. They often act as a conduit between Careers Service and prospective employers.

Mrs Nuraan Davids-Latief is an Information Systems Lecturer and Coordinator of the fulltime B Com Honours Information Systems programme. Her approach to job-readiness of her students is nothing less than rigorous. Her engagement with industry enabled her to fi nd out what employers expected of our graduates, and to determine how students should prepare themselves for graduate recruitment. This led her to develop a holistic e-competence

framework as part of her Master’s thesis titled “An examination of the e-Competence requirements of potential information systems graduate employers in the Western Cape and the information systems curriculum at University X.” Her holistic e-competence framework contains 50 specifi c competencies (including knowledge, skills and attitudes) that form the basis of the graduate attributes that each student is required to have, in order to be “work-ready”.

“I’m somewhat of an activist for students to develop their own personal competence portfolios as part of their job search preparation and employability skills development,” she laughs.

MRS NURAAN DAVIDS-LATIEF

I’M SOMEWHAT OF AN ACTIVIST FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PERSONAL COMPETENCE PORTFOLIOS AS PART OF THEIR JOB SEARCH PREPARATION AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.



The charts on her offi ce wall reveal that this is anything but a laughing matter. These diagrams demonstrate a deep and comprehensive knowledge on the drivers and levers of employability for Information Systems students, knowledge she is passionately applying in practice.

Mrs Davids-Latief is exceptionally au fait with the business and career streams available to her students, and speaks articulately on how certain academic modules optimally orient students to technical or management career paths. She has an open-door policy for students on job search and career advice. “Students often ask me for advice about their career path as it impacts on their subject choices in the second and third year, and electives in their Honours programme.”

All these initiatives, however, do not occur in a silo. “I sustain a good relationship with Careers Service as I often send students there” she says. “I have invited the Careers Service Coordinator, Nazrana Parker, to speak with the fulltime Honours students at their Orientation and usually allocate a day for her to workshop with the students on their job search preparation. We have developed a great relationship over the years, so I am also on speed dial with her,” she continues. All this supports her view on the critical role of academic departments in preparing students for the world of work. “The more academic departments engage with Careers Service,” she adds, “the more opportunities for collaboration will emerge.”

A few years ago she arranged a Careers Fair for Information Systems students in the foyer of the EMS building to expose them to available career options. This initiative was found to be better situated within the Careers Service offi ce that does an excellent job. There are several other activities spearheaded by the Information Systems Department every year.

These include an employability seminar, job search workshops, work-integrated and service learning embedded in the curriculum, seeking and informing students about internships and

trainee positions, job shadowing and vacation work programmes, networking with alumni and prospective employers, guest lecturing by industry and off ering Work Study positions to their students. “While the Department focuses on the academic project, I depend on the expertise of Nazrana and her team in preparing students optimally and holistically for the demanding world of work”, she adds.

In addition, Careers Service off ers CV writing and interview preparation sessions to the fi nal year Oral Health students during lecture time as part of their Ethics and Practice Management module. Their CVs and Letters of Motivation are reviewed and the fi nal draft is submitted as part of their portfolio. A similar presentation is conducted during lecture time for fi nal year Education students for their online job applications.

Careers Service surveyed all academic departments about their contribution in preparing students for the job search and world of work. A few academic departments are seriously putting their shoulder to the wheel when it comes to the employability of students, while others deem it prudent to focus only on theory and rubrics.

The Offi ce for Student Development welcomes collaboration with academic departments in embedding job-search and employability in the curriculum.


“STUDENTS OFTEN ASK ME FOR ADVICE ABOUT THEIR CAREER PATH AS IT IMPACTS ON THEIR SUBJECT CHOICES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR, AND ELECTIVES IN THEIR HONOURS PROGRAMME.”


FOCUSED STRATEGY

Y ou could easily reach retirement age by the time you’re done trawling through all that.

Clearly your job search requires a focused strategy in order to avoid meandering through the ‘jungle’. Career Update spoke to two UWC graduates who share their job search journey with us - when they started thinking about career options, resources utilised, and what did and did not work.

Riedwaan Fakier is an Information Systems graduate and works as a Business and Systems Analyst at Sanlam, while Marco Torres, who studied Industrial Psychology, is a Learning and Development Trainee for The Foschini Group’s (TFG) Talent Development team. Both of them admit that they only started thinking seriously about their careers in their fi nal year. “I always knew that I wanted to go into the corporate world,” says Marco, who concedes that he was a fairly passive student, expecting opportunities to come to him. “I lacked initiative,” he continues, “but I soon learnt that one needs to create one’s own

brand, starting from the fi rst year at university. Initially I searched on student hiring portals such as GradConnection and PUFF & PASS. I also tried developing relationships with people in specifi c companies including Unilever, KPMG and TFG”.

“I did some fantastic fi nal year modules that exposed me to real work situations and the requirements of specifi c jobs such as being creative, innovative, analytical and solving business

problems” says Riedwaan. He also found his lecturers to be an invaluable resource. “I built relationships with literally all of them. I often spoke to them and gained valuable information about career off erings and challenges experienced in some of my modules. They also related experiences in the corporate world and their own entrepreneurial endeavours.” His vacation work was a motivating experience. “It gave me the opportunity to

JOB SEARCHTaking responsibility for your

by Lester Malgas and Winston Middleton

Search for “graduate jobs South Africa” via Google™ and it delivers approximately 7 960 000 results. That is SEVEN MILLION NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND.

RIEDWAAN FAKIER MARCO TORRES


FOCUSED STRATEGY

interact with experienced workers and industry experts. I asked questions at every opportunity”.

He also asked new graduates about their experiences and the preference of companies for post-graduate qualifi cations. During interviews he asked recruiters and line managers about their jobs. He concedes, however, that he didn’t have a planned strategy for his job search. “I researched potential employers. I literally applied to every company that I could fi nd, regardless of the job on off er.” During this process he quickly realised that one has to provide information relevant to the job advert and that the process of applying was tough. However the process of selecting relevant information and why you are the most suitable candidate becomes easier over time. Riedwaan and Marco agree about the job search resources available on campus.

“I believe that the Offi ce for Student Development (OSD) does everything in their power to link students to relevant job opportunities,” says Marco. “I appreciated the personal interest that they took in my job search. I attended their workshops about the do’s and don’ts we have to be mindful about in our CV, letter of motivation and personal branding. OSD helped me to take the recruitment process seriously and in retrospect, I now see the value of their role”. Riedwaan is like-minded.

“The Careers Service provides great resources for students. The mock interview process was my fi rst interaction with OSD,” he says. “Before it commenced I had to submit my CV and a Letter of Motivation for review. In retrospect, the fi rst draft of these documents was poor. After a few drafts and numerous consultations with the OSD staff , the quality improved greatly. I updated my CV regularly as I engaged in new projects, initiatives and jobs. All I needed to do was be receptive to their advice, which was diffi cult at fi rst”.

Enhancing one’s employability is a key aspect of the job hunt. According to Marco, tailoring his letter of motivation to the advertised post was crucial. He also realised the importance of networking. “I made it a priority to remember recruiters’ names and their roles in order to personalise my letter of motivation,” he says.

Riedwaan used his time at university to further develop himself in the co-curricular space. “I was involved in many initiatives and took responsibilities to prove to myself that I can successfully juggle my academic studies and co-curricular activities, and work under pressure,” he says. His activities included tutoring students, coordinating the second year Information Systems tutorial programme, Treasurer of the UWC Cricket Club and promoting cricket amongst students. Riedwaan

did not hesitate to market himself as a UWC student and is proud of his student experience at UWC. He is clear about the factors that set him apart from other candidates. Riedwaan reckons that “though I was competing against hundreds of other students many of who were post-graduates or probably more knowledgeable of the industry, my competitive advantage was my leadership skills, astuteness, willingness to work hard and still achieving good marks.”

Marco cites his success factors as “responding to work opportunities such as vacation-work, taking initiative, showing commitment and willingness to compromise”. His vacation work was a wake-up call to take the job search more seriously.

Riedwaan off ers the following words of encouragement to students engaged in their job search: “Don’t be disappointed if a company rejects you. Recruiters are looking for the right fi t in a company or team. For example, they might be looking for an analytical person for the role on the one hand, or they might be looking for a decisive person on the other. These are usually two contrasting personality types and you might be the one that they not actually looking for”. Marco advises that “everyone has something distinctive to position themselves as suitable to a specifi c post. It is up to you and not the recruiter” he warns, “to identify what that distinctive something is. Do not underestimate yourself.”


IT IS UP TO YOU AND NOT THE RECRUITER TO IDENTIFY WHAT THAT DISTINCTIVE SOMETHING IS. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOURSELF.


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What sets WALL O

MANY OF OUR GRADUATES are making their mark in the world of work.that set them apart from other students. We share their “beyond the b

POZISA MANISI

B Com

Information

Systems Honours,

2016

Junior Business

Analyst Graduate

Trainee, Engen

Petroleum

ARLENE JOSEPHS

M Com -

Industrial

Psychology

Human Resource

Administrator,

Organisational

Development,

The Clicks Group

AABEED ABDULLATIEF

LLB, 2016

Candidate

Attorney, Dentons

South Africa

DUNCAN DAVEY

B Com

Accounting, 2016

Trainee

Accountant,

Baker Tilly

Greenwoods

The saying "You only get one chance to make a fi rst impression" rang true. I decided to wear my best suit and tie to the interviews. This gave the interviewer a sense of my professionalism and confi dence. At an interview show them who you are beyond your qualifi cations.

I never gave up despite many rejection letters. After receiving advice at Careers Service, I participated in co-curricular activities. Networking at Careers Xpo, Top Achievers Programme and Dean’s Merit List events paid off . I followed up on my applications.

After feedback on my CV and Letter of Motivation, two internships, two mock interviews, networking with recruiters, company research, gathering information about the interviewers via LinkedIn and practising interview Q&As, I aced my interview. I could think clearly and answer appropriately.

My authenticity set me apart. I knew who I am and packaged myself as the “best”. The interviewer felt my energy, confi dence and motivation. I showcased my community engagement and linked it to my prospect of being an infl uential person in the ICT space.


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them apart?F FAME Career Update tracked them to fi nd out what they did during their job search box” and extra-ordinary eff orts that gave them an edge over their peers.

MONITA VELEON

M Com -

Industrial

Psychology, 2016

Industrial

Psychology

Intern, Military

Psychological

Institute

SINAZO HOYI

B Com

Information

Systems, 2015

IT Business

Analyst Trainee,

Wealth Division

Old Mutual

WANDILE MANTANGA

LLB, 2016

Candidate

Attorney,

Bowmans

YUMNA PATTON

B Com, 2016

Business Analyst

Trainee, Old

Mutual

At University and even now at work I was always willing to learn from others. Do not limit yourself nor doubt your abilities.

Spend time in planning your job search. Conduct research about prospective fi rms. Ask Careers Service and lecturers to review your job search documents. Apply early for bursaries, vacation work and articles.

Participating in mock interviews and receiving feedback on my CV and Letter of Motivation (thanks to OSD), contributed largely to my success. I demonstrated that I could apply my knowledge from my internship at OSD. At the interview I could off er solutions to challenges faced by the organisation.

My CV and Letter of Motivation was reviewed at Careers Service. I attended the Career Xpo, tutored second year students, worked part-time and played a sport. At the interview, I had much more to off er than just my marks. I was proactive, optimistic and worked hard. I aimed higher than “just making CAM”.


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ZENVILLE ERASMUS

M Sc Computer

Science, 2016

Entry Level

System’s

Developer,

Barclays Africa

Group Limited

LEVIN BOOYSEN

Hon. B Ed

Leadership and

Management,

2016

Educator, Aloe

High School,

Mitchells Plain

ASIA PARKER

B Com Hons

Industrial

Psychology, 2016

HR Trainee, The

Foschini Group

South Africa

HEINRICH NOVEMBER

B Com Hons

- Information

Systems, 2015

Junior Business

Analyst,

PSG Group

Being a tutor and interning for 6 months allowed me to understand my role and ideal work environment. Be calm and state what you can off er and what you seek from the opportunity. Use every work experience to inform your career path.

I studied fulltime and worked from 17h00-21h00. At 19 years, I was promoted to a supervisor in the TFG Call Centre. I assisted with charity events at work. My approach is to go beyond the call of duty. My attitude and commitment contributed to my success.

When a peer in my network informed me about a post, I acted swiftly. I prepared for the interview, projected myself well and let my passion be refl ected. Being a Student Assistant and Peer Facilitator gave me the edge. I’m blessed to call teaching my vocation and get paid to do something I love.

I researched companies that were transforming digitally. I learnt during my two weeks internship at Barclays’ ‘Cowboy Aliens’ digital hub in Cape Town that banks are more than just cheques and balances. I am eager to learn and keep up with technological advances.

What sets them apart?WALL OF FAME

We share their “beyond the box” and extra-ordinary eff orts that gave them an edge over their peers.


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OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE

And proud is exactly how we feel about the UWC participants in the 2016 GradStar

Awards. GradStar is a programme that recognises the Top 100 students across the country based on leadership qualities and readiness for the workplace. In 2016 GradStar received over 3,500 entries from aspiring contenders at 26 universities. These were

whittled down to the Top 100, who were invited to an all-expenses-paid workshop and gala event in Johannesburg for the fi nal stage of the event, where ‘the 10 Finest’ were chosen and commended. Fourteen UWC students made it into the Top 100 of which 5 made it to the Top 10. Many of these participants received job off ers from major employers. The programme is designed to match the country’s best future

graduates with potential employers and business mentors. It provides participating employers and the Top 100 graduates access to each other in a uniquely developed programme that focuses on quality connections. The judging criteria were:• Ambitious & Creative• Inspiring & Devoted• Driving Collaboration & Inclusion• Being a Good Communicator &

Eff ective Listener• Academic Achievement• Honest and Good Sense of

Professional Judgement.

Career Update pays special tribute to four of the 5 students who made us proud. At the time of going to print we were still unable to connect with Tendai Samkange, MSc Pharmeceutical Sciences graduate.

FREDDY KIDO Freddy Kido, who hails from Windhoek, is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Law degree. He’s been bubbling with potential since matriculating in 2010. He was off ered a scholarship to study overseas which he could not take up. Since then he has worked at a bank, qualifi ed as an air traffi c controller and recently launched the “Paving the Way Foundation”. The Foundation, in conjunction with the Education Department in Namibia, mentors learners on the signifi cance of continuing their education.

SHOWCASING OUR GRADSTARSby Lester Malgas and Winston Middleton

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHTIt is always great to see initiatives that give our students an opportunity to shine. It is even better to see students from your own alma mater out there making you proud.

>>



Freddy also tutored fi rst year Statistics students and participated in the Emerging Leaders Programme of the Centre for Student Support Services. He plays hockey and tennis and is a member of the UWC Karate Club.

He recalls that he took considerable time to proofread his online application. About his preparation for the video interview, he says: “I made time to look presentable by trimming my hair and beard and wearing an ironed shirt. Looks speak volumes as the video interview was reviewed by recruiting specialists”.

Having made it into the Top 100, he was off to the two-day event in Johannesburg. “There we had to engage with the recruitment specialists, debate a position, answer policy related questions and do presentations,” he says. “They evaluated how well we engaged

with people and our group work ethic. They also posed questions on legal issues and economics.” Though he found this stage rather stressful, he was impressed, and perhaps somewhat intimidated by the other Top 100 participants. “Meeting these brilliant minds from across South Africa, including Masters and Doctoral students was empowering” he says. “What also stood out, were the students who had incredible projects and the passion to advocate for youth empowerment.”

So what did he do to make it into the Top 10? “I think I was just being myself,” he says, “asking questions, engaging with the panel, being involved and believing that I was good enough to be in the presence of all those brilliant students.”

He expressed pride in his fellow UWC students who made it into the Top 100. “It affi rms that UWC has great potential,” he says. “We were enthralled when we realised that 5 of the Top 10 places went to UWC students. This made us proud of our ‘iamUWC’ motto. On key learnings from the experience he says, “Take responsibility for your learning and success.” His favourite quote for 2016 is borrowed from Theodore Roosevelt: “Do whatever you can, with whatever you have, wherever you are”.

YOLANDA BAM-MGUYE Yolanda Bam-Mguye is studying towards a LLB degree. Even in describing herself as a leader, pioneer and a mentor, however, she is selling herself short. Yolanda is also a pastor, a director of an NGO, a wife and the mother of a

two year-old. She ran a successful company before embarking on her current studies and decided to pay it forward. She founded the “True Leaders Forum” at UWC. Yolanda is a member of the UWC Moot Society, having won the fi rst-year category in the 2015 National Moot Competition. She also does motivational speaking.

Clearly Yolanda is making her experience count. “I think because I'm older and more responsible,” she says, “I am more focused and can do more. I worked for nine years building my business before I enrolled at UWC.”

During the application process, she remained undaunted by the maths evaluation in the psychometric test. She says she enjoyed the video interview. “I dressed up as if I was going to a job interview.” “The two-day event in Johannesburg blew my mind away,” she exclaims. “I regret not taking my business cards to maximise the networking opportunities,” she says. So what did she do to make it into the Top 10? “I never held back or felt shy to answer questions and to share

FREDDY KIDO

YOLANDA BAM-MGUYE

DO WHATEVER YOU CAN, WITH WHATEVER YOU HAVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE.(THEODORE ROOSEVELT)



my corporate solutions and the global ideas.” According to Yolanda, the benefi ts from participating in GradStars keep rolling in. One of these is the Rising Star mentorship programme which recognises outstanding GradStars. I was allocated an amazing mentor who is a partner at PwC and the Chief of Staff in London. We communicate via email and WhatsApp. I appreciate her wisdom; she has taught me so much and has added value to my professional maturity.”

She also benefi ts from a signifi cant amount of publicity. “The opportunities are endless,” she says, “last year’s academic and co-curricular achievements led to several newspaper articles and an interview on SAfm. This opened me up to a lot of amazing career off ers.”

It would appear that Yolanda is certainly living her motto: “If you’re not going to do it excellently, don’t do it at all”.

DAVID HENDRICKSDavid Hendricks is a B Com student majoring in Information Systems. His academic excellence and leadership pedigree also stretches back to his Matric year.

He has given his career path much thought. He chose the Management Consulting industry where, he believes, the combination of his theoretical knowledge, passion for strategic business development and personality traits will work together.

David found the online application challenging as it contained questions relating to work experience. “I had no work experience,” he reports, “and as a result I thought this would refl ect badly in my application. I was honest in my response. I was more confi dent in responding to questions relating my leadership role as a group leader for an Information Systems project.”

He was well prepared for the video interview. “Prior to the interview I researched interview questions and formulated responses.” He continues, “I was well groomed and dressed formally. I made sure that I had a neutral background with no distractions, my laptop was fully charged and the video camera worked. In the event of Wi-Fi disconnection I arranged for a dongle.” The highlights of the Johannesburg event for David

were, “interacting with like-minded individuals all striving to a common goal”. An important aspect that increased his chance to be selected for the Top 10 was his listening skills. He says, “During each assessment programme I would listen carefully to the questions before responding. I was never too eager to answer just to impress the judges but would hear the input from others, and mull over it in my head before responding.” David feels what set him apart from his peers was being able to communicate well with diff erent personalities and having refrained from cliques. Key learnings David took from the experience include the importance of networking, stepping out of one’s comfort zone and most importantly, being yourself. “Academic results are important and look good on a CV,” he says, “but your character will take you so much further.”

WIKUS BOTHAWikus Botha is B Com student majoring in Information Systems and Business Management. He has earned several academic achievement awards, notably that

DAVID HENDRICKS

WIKUS BOTHA

YOLANDA ENCOURAGES UWC STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN INITIATIVES LIKE THESE. “THINK OF IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND AND KICK-START A SUCCESSFUL CAREER JOURNEY. GIVE IT A TRY!”

>>



of being Top student in his faculty. He is continuously developing his leadership skills by taking on various roles and responsibilities such as a Peer Facilitator during Orientation. He is a volunteer in his community and at NGOs.

At the Johannesburg event there was a four stage judging process by Dell, PWC, FNB and Fasken Martineau. He explains, “We were divided into four groups of 25, and given various case study scenarios which we had to solve and present to company representatives”. To Wikus, getting business insight beyond his academic studies stood out most for him. “The opportunity to hear about real life business problems,” he reflects, “and how companies go about attempting to solve these problems was an eye-opener.”

Self-confi dence is one of his distinctive qualities. According to him, what set him apart from the other candidates was his ability not to shy away and make his voice heard. Wikus also benefi ts from being connected to a business mentor who, he says, “is providing valuable insight in preparing him for the world of work”.

Clearly UWC students have made their mark at the inaugural GradStar Awards in 2016. Do you have what it takes to increase the number of UWC candidates? The 2017/2018 event is now known as the TOP100 FUTURE LEADERS AWARD. Applications close on 31 August 2017.

Log onto: http://top100grademployers.co.za/

What are the benefi ts?• Shine as one of the best and

brightest Future Leaders coming out of South Africa’s tertiary institutions.

• Be part of an international group of TOP100 Future Leaders and receive national recognition.

• Engage with and be mentored by senior leaders, recruiters and human resources professionals from South Africa's largest

corporates and top employers.• Rights to use the TOP100 Future

Leaders logo on your CV, online profi les, etc.

Need application assistance? Visit the Offi ce for Student Development, 1st Floor, Student Centre.


TOP REASONS TO GET INVOLVED HOW TO GET INVOLVED

All students applying for the GradConnection 2017 awards must:

The TOP100 is a national competition that recognises and awards the best and brightest Future Leaders in the country. This annual event aims to connect and celebrate South Africa’s leading employers, students and

their tertiary institutions.

Applications open 1st May 2017

Go to www.top100grademployers.co.za for more informationRights to use the TOP100 Future Leaders logo

Be part of an international group of TOP100 Future Leaders and receive recognition in a way not currently seen elsewhere in the

Meet and engage with senior leaders, recruiters and human resources professionals from South Africa’s largest corporates and top

Shine as one of the best and brightest Future Leaders coming out of South Africa’s tertiary

Currently be residing in South Africa

Be studying at a South African tertiary institution in 2018 (undergraduate or postgraduate)

Be available to attend a full day of assessments as well as an awards event, in February 2018

FUTURE LEADERSOF SOUTH AFRICA

Partnering with the best in the graduate industry, GradConnection is proud to bring the TOP100 Graduate Employers and Future Leaders awards to South Africa.


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EVERYTHING COUNTS!

Graduates sometimes assume that employers expect students to have formal or casual

work experience. While desirable, it is not the only option open to you. Nobody, however, is without experience. Let us unpack this.

Employers are looking at previous experience largely to ascertain what skills, talents and personality traits you have, as this gives them a good idea as to your fi t for the position. The following list represents the skills most sought after by employers according to the South African Graduate Employers Association:

Recruiters know that young graduates are not likely to have signifi cant work experience and thus are open to make an assessment of graduates based on factors other than work experience. Your CV and Letter of Motivation should convince the reader about your suitability. If your CV is light on work experience you must then mine your extra-curricular activities in order to prove your worth. Thus nobody is without experience. In walks co-curricular… or is it extra-curricular… maybe extra-mural activities? Everything counts!It is important to provide more detail than just saying you “played a certain sport, engaged in a hobby or belonged to a club/society”. In the case of a sport, you should indicate your role, how long you played the sport, which clubs or teams you played for and what your achievements were.

This information gives the reader an idea of your level of commitment and competitiveness. Similarly, if you arrange fl owers or build Apps, it is important to indicate how long you

have been engaged in this activity and what accolades you may have received. Details like this speak to your creativity. Even experience as a Sunday school teacher shows that you are deemed worthy to be entrusted with the spiritual development of children. In this way you demonstrate where and how you developed the skills instead of just listing the activities. This refl ection helps you to improve your marketability and employability.

Students sometimes confuse the meaning of the terms co-curricular, extra-curricular and extra-mural. Let us clarify.• Co-curricular refers to activities

that are aligned to your academic curriculum. Examples include

PLAYING TO YOURSTRENGTHSby Lester Malgas and Winston Middleton

Career development and job-hunting present a number of critical challenges to students. One of the biggest among these is this old chestnut: “I can’t get a job because I have no experience. I have no experience because I can’t get a job.”

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Accountability

Leadership

Analytical Thinking

Assertiveness

Creativity

Time Management

Drive to Succeed


EVERYTHING COUNTS!

tutoring, research or participating in business challenges or case study competitions.

• Extra-curricular refers to activities that are not related to your academics even though they are off ered by your institution.

• Extra-mural generally points at activities that are pursued outside of your institution.

The lines between these defi nitions are permeable, and they vary depending on where and in which context they are used. In terms of their place in your CV, what counts is that they contribute toward presenting yourself to prospective employers as a holistic and well-rounded individual.

We will now explore some of the activities available to students and how they can translate into skills for your CV and Letter of Motivation.

Work-studyThere is a dazzling array of work-study positions on campus. Among these are Peer Facilitators for Student Orientation, Mentors for the Peer Mentoring Programme, and Student and Research Assistants across academic and student service departments. The particular skills gained vary from job to job, with data capturers being able to claim an eye for detail and peer facilitators showing leadership and emotional intelligence.

Many faculties on campus provide students with the opportunity to become a tutor or teaching assistant. These students are carefully selected by departments and thus deemed responsible and trustworthy enough to assist

with teaching and advising. They have to juggle their own academic programme along with preparing lessons and thus sharpen their time management skills. Tutors need to convey diffi cult information accurately thus they develop their communication skills such as presenting, listening and writing clearly. There’s a certain altruism that goes along with tutoring.

Campus publicationsThere are also a number of skills to be developed by writing for campus publications. Several departments seek to communicate their news and off erings to the campus community via their websites, journals and magazines. Participating in these exploits improves your writing skills. Along with sourcing content, one also learns how to edit and review thus developing your critical thinking skills. Writing teaches you how to work under pressure in a deadline-driven environment, a highly sought after skill.

SportThere are also a remarkable array of sport codes on off er at UWC, ranging from team sports such as soccer, cricket and rugby to individual sports such as athletics, swimming and boxing. Participation

in sport, especially if you have excelled, says a lot about you to prospective employers. It says that you’re disciplined enough to partake in the copious training required and that you are health-conscious. Many recruiters also subscribe to the belief that healthy employees are productive employees. Participation in an individual sport can signal that you have endurance and self-reliance while participation in team sports indicate that you work well within a team. Even the position that you play can be instructive. In soccer, for instance, the centre-back is seen as the last line of defence. As such, a coach who puts a player in this position has confi dence that he or she is able to shoulder that responsibility. The same goes for midfi elders, who are seen as the engine-room of the team. Wingers and strikers, on the other hand, are known for their fl air and confi dence. Team captains are strongly considered to carry their leadership abilities into the workplace. Participation in sport also points to competitiveness and a drive to succeed.

Industry associationsWhether you belong to the UWC Space Association, student chapter of the Black Management Forum or Black Lawyers’ Association your membership says a number of things about you. It could indicate that you are intelligent, passionate about and familiar with a particular industry and the main issues and questions in that sector. A candidate’s passion for a particular fi eld is rarely overlooked by recruiters. Certain industry associations, such as the Association of Black Securities and >>



EVERYTHING COUNTS!

Investment Professionals (ABSIP), arrange industry-specifi c speakers as well as skills development workshops and programmes for its members and student chapters. Refl ecting on your attendance at such events marks you out as eager to learn. Others, such as Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) capacitate their members on how the skills they are developing can be brought to bear in addressing social and economic inequalities in our society.

Religious associations Whether it’s the Muslim Students Association (MSA) or a student Christian organisation, your membership can potentially signal a number of positive things

about you. It may point to the fact that you have a particular moral code by which you live, that you’re principled or that you value spirituality. It could indicate that you espouse an ethic of humility and being teachable. If your movement has an evangelical fl avour or does a lot of outreach, chances are good that you have gained some confi dence in public speaking. Many

religious associations undertake voluntary activities that fulfi l a social need, such as organising soup kitchens or blanket drives. It is up to you to communicate to the employer, the skills and attributes you have developed from your affi liation with your association.

Clubs and societiesMembership of the SRC is a strong signal of leadership and familiarity with organisational protocol. There are a number of clubs and societies active on campus and affi liated to the SRC including political movements, international students, students with a disability and cultural groups. Membership of these organisations signals an ethic of social activism, alertness >>


EVERYTHING COUNTS!

to current aff airs and a desire to improve socio-economic conditions of communities. Be cautious about placing undue emphasis on your religious or political affi liations.

Other associations are dedicated to social development, community upliftment and volunteerism. These associations foster an ethic of service to the young, elderly and marginalised and their

projects and programmes provide exposure to skills and practices related to community engagement and facilitation.

UWC Debating Union, along with several leadership associations, such as True Leaders Forum, also focus on providing students with skills that are sought after by employers. Public speaking and critical thinking are key skills gained by these members, while leadership organisations provide training in speech-writing and presentations to interpersonal skills and networking.

As an offi ce bearer, such as chairperson or secretary, you are exposed to leadership and taking responsibility or gaining valuable

administrative skills. Other roles include student liaison, social media correspondent, events coordinator and treasurer, which point to skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, event planning, coordination and fi nancial acumen.

So there you have it; the how and why to extract the skills you have from your co-curricular and extra-mural activities. Refl ecting on your development by virtue of these activities will help you recognise the value you could add to your job application. Be strategic about highlighting the skills and attributes relevant for each application.



MANAGING YOUR ONLINE PROFILE

In a world where ‘digital’ has become the social norm, it is inevitable that everyone will have an

online presence and footprint. Career Update explores how your online persona can infl uence a recruiter’s perception of you and we provide tips on maintaining a healthy online presence. With platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram recruiters can broaden their understanding of a candidate. There is a confl ation of one’s work and social life. So the question arises, “Does your online profi le align with the profi le provided through your job application?”

Sometimes our life and opinions aired on social media work against us. For example, Helen Zille was under the spotlight when she tweeted about ‘colonialism’. This tainted her political career and that of her Party. Likewise, Penny Sparrow, posted a racist comment on Facebook. The Equality Court ruled that she had to pay R150 000 to a foundation also tainting Jawitz Properties even though she was not working there at the time. These two examples demonstrate the consequences of one’s actions and the eff ect on one’s job and future employability.

Tips for managing your online profi le

FACEBOOK • Ensure you have an appropriate

profi le and pictures.• Modify the settings to limit

visibility and allow you to approve photos that you are tagged in.

TWITTER • Use your name as your Twitter handle. • Use good grammar and avoid

foul language.• Follow individuals, organisations

and companies renowned for their work.

INSTAGRAM • If possible have the same

username as your Twitter account.• Have an appropriate profi le picture.• Post and share appropriate

pictures.

LINKEDIN • Have an appropriate profi le picture.• Update your qualifi cations, skills

and work experience.• Follow and link with relevant

people such as lecturers, alumni, companies and organisations of interest.

• Ask for recommendations and endorsements.

• Join relevant discussion groups to share your opinions and connect with industry leaders/experts.

• This is not a social networking site.

SOMEONE IS CHECKING ON YOUBe careful…

By Euneece Van der Bergh

ONE IN THREE CANDIDATES ARE REJECTED BECAUSE OF A NEGATIVE ONLINE PROFILE

>>

60%OF EMPLOYERS WILL FIND YOU ON FACEBOOK.


MANAGING YOUR ONLINE PROFILE

Sharing everything online could impact on your job search. Employers detest associating themselves with individuals who could turn out to be a ‘loose cannon’ on social media.

References• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University,

Graduate Recruitment Programme

Handbook 18 July – 29 September 2016

• University of Cape Town, Career Service

Guide 2015

• University of Johannesburg, Career Services

Recruitment Guide 2016/2017

• Grad X 2016


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THE FUTURE AWAITS

Future graduates, recruitment season is here. It is time to get noticed by prospective employers.

For many of you the job search is new territory and Career Update trusts that the job search advice of a successful UWC graduate, Ryan Schippers, a Systems Analyst at FNB/RMB Forex Product House IT, will inform your endeavours.

The hunt beginsThe job search can be daunting, frustrating or seem a hopeless case at times. Firstly, competition for graduate trainee roles is tough. Ryan completed as many applications as possible although several were rejected. Secondly, he did not limit himself to one geographical area for fear of losing an opportunity of a life-time elsewhere in South Africa or on the continent.

He realised early that his (academic) learning only was not enough to succeed in the workplace. It is not implied that university studies were failing him. He advised, “Realise that you develop skills both through your academic studies and by virtue of your participation in co-curricular activities and work experiences. In the fi rst instance, the skills could include managing large volumes of knowledge and information, logical and critical thinking, time management, planning, writing and

working under pressure. In the latter, these could comprise self-reliance, people skills, problem-solving, fl exibility and commitment.” Career Update also advocates that students participate in vacation programmes, simulated business challenges and student competitions.

Understanding what is expected in the working world will enable you to focus sharply on what recruiters are looking for in applicants. Apply the full arsenal of skills mentioned above in launching your job search. Be cautious about over-selling yourself and your value add. Ryan realised that recruiters valued honesty about one’s capabilities and shortcomings.

What are recruiters are looking for?It might seem that all that recruiters care about is your academic record. This is partially true. Recruiters like to see if you have been consistent during your studies. Did you do exceptionally well in your fi rst year yet struggled in your fi nal year, or did you start out with diffi culty but improved over the years? Your academic record conveys important information about your performance and attitude towards your work.

If you come to university just to attend lectures, submit your assignments, study for tests

and exams, and then go home – you leave yourself at a great disadvantage. Remember that there are other students who are also performing well academically but are tutoring students, managing a business to pay for their fees or actively volunteering in an outreach programme. Which of these students stand a better chance to be invited to an interview?

The interviewAn invitation to your fi rst job interview can be exciting yet nerve-wrecking. The most widely used method of selection and assessment is behavioural/competency-based interviews. Other methods include panel interviews; case studies; presentations; written, online, group and simulation exercises, and role-plays.

Ryan reported that the following tips assisted him greatly:• Doing thorough research on the companies.• Networking with alumni he met at

the Careers Xpo and through LinkedIn.• Having a good understanding of

the position he applied for. • Showing how his knowledge of

the subject area can be applied to the responsibilities of the post.

• Refl ecting on his co-curricular and work experiences to demonstrate his value add.

INGREDIENTSfor a successful job search

>>


THE FUTURE AWAITS

Psychometric assessmentsPsychometric assessments could be done at the beginning or towards the end of the selection process. The most common assessments utilised are highlighted in the graph below:

Recruiters could make use of personality/behaviours, verbal ability, numerical ability, abstract ability, problem solving potential and learning assessments. Try fi nding out from the recruiter which assessments will be administered and then practice on the following online sites:• https://www.cebglobal.com/

shldirect/en/practice-tests/ • https://www.savilleconsulting.

com/products/aptitude-preparation-guides-and-advice

• https://www.cebglobal.com/shl/assets/Best-Practice-Guidelines-Management-of-Psychometric-Tests.pdf

• https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/images/free-pdf/beginners-

guide-psychometric-test-jobtestprep.pdf

• https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/images/free-pdf/free-psychometric-test-questions-only.pdf

https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptitudetests_numerical.htm

• http://www.psychometric-success.com/downloads/download-practice-tests.htm

The future awaitsNow that you are aware of the ingredients for a successful job search, you need to strategically combine it to ensure that your job search rises to your expectations.


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The 50 organisations which formed part of the study utilised the following types of assessments as part of their graduate selection process.

ASSESSMENT TYPES UTILISED (%)

80706050403020100

verb

al ab

ility

numer

ical a

bility

abstr

act a

bility

job spec

ific aptit

udelea

rning

problem

solvi

ng potentia

l

perso

nality

/ beh

aviours

integrit

y EQ

asse

ssm

ent c

entre

type

other

44% 42%

30%

6%

20% 22%

72%

6%12%

6%10%

COGNITIVE /

CONCEPTUAL

ABILITIES /

ATTITUDES

SOURCE: SAGEA DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION STUDY 2017

| UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE | CAREER UPDATE 2017 | I

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