The Durban University of Technology (DUT) School Engagement Project, in collaboration with Bechet High, hosted a successful Career Guidance Day with Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 learners from Bechet High, Centenary Secondary, Durban Girls Secondary, Overport Secondary and Sparks Estate Secondary Saturday, 15 October 2022.
This initiative forms part of DUT’s School Engagement Project, a partnership between DUT’s Advancement and Alumni Relations and various other internal stakeholders as well as external partners, launched in 2018.
Alex Mdletshe, Student Recruitment Manager at DUT, advised the learners to ask for necessary help in order to make good career choices. He relayed that they should make relevant career choices because these choices are going to be part of them for the rest of their lives.
“Also, do not choose dying careers because some courses are phasing out due to the fourth industrial revolution,” he said.
He also advised learners who want to study at DUT to use the Central Applications Office (CAO) which is a one-stop-shop handling applications for certificates, undergraduate diplomas and bachelor degree programmes at higher education institutions in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Mdletshe urged students to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which is a government funded financial scheme that aims to assist students who do not have the financial means to gain access to tertiary education.
Mdletshe gave a brief overview of DUT.
“DUT is a higher education institution with plus or minus 30 000 students, six faculties and 67 programmes or courses. DUT has seven campuses, five in Durban and two in Pietermaritzburg. Besides learning and teaching, DUT offers academic support and services, financial incentives, social clubs, counselling, guidance and entrepreneurial support to its students,” he added.
Mdletshe also mentioned the importance of Life Orientation (LO) which is normally taken for granted by high school learners, not realising that institutions do not accept a person who failed LO or who has less than level four in it.
Bridge representative Thabani Zama gave a brief overview of Bridge while facilitating a module on Personal Career Assessment.
“Bridge is a non-profit organisation that drives collaboration and co-operation among stakeholders in education to increase their collective impact on the system. We do this through convening communities of practice and sharing knowledge, working practices and resources to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the country. The organisation aims to link people in education through reflective learning forums and an online network. It also shares knowledge products such as tools, resources and learning briefs,” he said.
Another Bridge representative, Athandiwe Ngcobo, facilitated a module on Entrepreneurship as a Career Option and she had this to say;
“An entrepreneur is defined as someone who has the ability and desire to establish, administer and succeed in a startup venture to make a profit.”
She also mentioned the different types of entrepreneurship, namely small businesses, scalable, large and social entrepreneurships. She added that the characteristics of an entrepreneur are the ability to take risks, be innovative, visionary and leadership qualities, flexibility, and knowledge of your product or service.
“Your personal vision is how you commit to living your life. It influences all areas including family, spirituality, physical well-being, leisure and work. A clear personal vision statement is an integration of your abilities, interests, personality, values, goals, skills/experience, family of origin, and stage of adult development. So, students be committed to your personal vision because it determines your future and who you are you going to be in the future. In terms of your educational goals, make sure that you commit yourself, give your best and always strive to better yourself. The choices that you are making today are going to impact your tomorrow, so make the right choices. Personal leadership is the ability and desire to crystallise your thinking and establish a specific direction and destination for your own life,” said Prosper Nzuza and Nontobeko Mpanza, DUT School Engagement Project tutors.
Chaoe Fredericks, Bechet high school learner, expressed his feelings on the Career Day programme.
“This career day programme is an important step in helping us as students to learn about multiple career options, and these fun activities help us identify our unique interests, talents and skills. On behalf of all students, we are very much grateful for this opportunity that we are given, we are privileged to get this opportunity, other schools don’t get such a chance that’s why many students find themselves making bad career choices.”
Pictured: Career guidance attendees at the event.
Nomvelo Zulu.
