NWU CAREER SERVICES

Kgabo Senyatsi

@kgabo.senyatsi

 

As the year is almost finished, the North West University (NWU) final-year students need to find employment. According to Stats SA, South Africa’s youth unemployment rate sits at 45.5%. The NWU Career Services is a centre that aims to address the challenges of youth unemployment by providing graduates with valuable knowledge so that they may become employable according to Nombulelo Malunga who is the Campus Liaison Officer at the Potchefstroom campus.

 

“This department is mainly focused on allowing students to build connections with employers, give them recommendations on career pathways and host events like career fairs,” said Malunga. 

 

She further provided suggestions on how students seeking jobs could work on being noticeable to prospective employees. “I advise all students studying towards their undergraduate qualification to involve themselves in voluntary work, take part in vacation programmes and do job shadowing. Life experiences also matter when applying for jobs, so applicants should explain how they conduct themselves in group assignments for example.”

 

She additionally said that students can take advantage of the Work Readiness Short Learning Programme available on eFundi. It is a free-of-charge learning initiative that has short courses which help prepare students for the workplace. 

 

Bongiwe Mncube, NWU Career Services volunteer and Bachelor of Commerce in Economics with Informatics student has shared the advantages of making use of the facilities offered at the centre. “I think the Career Centre is an amazing place because it helps students with CV writing which every student will eventually need.”

 

Mncube said that students should utilise the services of the centre on time so that they could explore various opportunities before they graduate.

 

Students can follow the NWU Career Centre Facebook page account, as well as visit the NWU Career Zone website to get more information on job posts and other important opportunities.

 

Edited by Danica Nortjé