Are you work ready?
Preparedness.
This is the goal of various events on the campuses of the North-West University (NWU) during the second semester to provide students with information on what to expect when they graduate and enter the next phase of life.
One of the events was an ‘Entrepreneurship and Work Readiness’ seminar hosted at the end of August. Due to COVID-19 and gathering restrictions, the event was virtual.
“It is an annual event in line with the career centre’s mission and goals to enhance the work readiness of NWU students and to build an entrepreneurial awareness among students,” said Peet Roos, the career consultant at the career centre of the NWU.
Some of the topics that were discussed at the seminar included financial freedom, the future of work, South Africa’s need for entrepreneurs as well as entrepreneurship vs hustling.
To ensure this goal is achieved as effectively as possible, the NWU gathers working professionals from various industries and fields across the board. This year, 25 presentations were delivered by 20 different presenters, from 12 different companies, according to Roos.
One of the organisations involved in this event was the College of Charted Accountants, which gave participants insights on why South Africa needs entrepreneurs as well as a better understanding of the organisational environment and the management of business operations.
GradStar is one of the many graduate development organisations that shared information at the event to support students after they graduate.
The South African Board of People Practices gave perspectives on industrial psychology and human resource management, but mostly focussed on work readiness.
The Professional Provident Society discussed financial aspects that graduates will encounter when they start working.
Roos said other collaborating professional development consultants explained the future of work within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR or Industry 4.0.
Students who attended the event were also reminded that their physical and mental health are of great importance and were given advice on how to live a healthier lifestyle.
Cuan Smit (21), a marketing student at the NWU, stated that the seminar provided him with a great sense of relief as he felt he knew better about what to expect from his first year in the workplace in 2022.
These seminars, according to Roos, also help students who do not intend on pursuing a career in one of the fields presented, but who simply want to broaden their knowledge.
Britney Arthur (21), a student in the faculty of humanities studying literature, said the recorded sessions assisted her in making effective notes on what was presented about leading a healthy lifestyle.
NWU students who were not able to attend the event can still access the NWU Career Centre’s Symplicity CareerZone’s to watch videos of the recorded presentations. For more information send an email to peet.roos@nwu.ac.za – Ann Shoai, Elzet Mans, Nicolaas Ackermann and Zané Neethling