Matriculants urged to research careers

MATRICULANTS need to consider career goals and speak to people in the field before applying to study at a tertiary institution. They also need to consider the financial implications.

Rama Govenden, executive: HR at PPS, says, “It is very difficult for a high school pupil to have a realistic view of what a job entails on a day-to-day basis.”

Learners should also visit career consultants. A process that involves a battery of assessments to identify suitable careers. He adds, “The importance of holiday jobs where learners can take part in shadow work for a company in their field of interest can never be under-estimated.”

Matriculants should attend as many tertiary institutions open days as they possibly can.

This will allow them to fully explore the various degrees and graduate opportunities available in the country. By having a full scope of options to choose from they can empower themselves to make informed decisions about what they want to study and which institution will provide the best academic path to achieve their goals.

It is, Govenden says, important to note that there are different types of tertiary institutions, namely universities, universities of technology (the old technikons) and TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges, previously called FET colleges.

Broadly speaking, universities are institutions of higher education and research, whereas universities of technology offer technological career-directed education programmes (such as Bachelor of Technology).

TVET colleges offer technical programmes to prepare learners for a range of jobs and offer artisan courses like carpentry.

The technical institutions usually have a practical workplacebased component structured into their programmes. It is also important to do an occupational programme that potentially readies the individual for a job rather than standalone skills programmes.

Govenden also advises matriculants to thoroughly research the level of job opportunities available in the sector of their choice. “Matriculants should preferably opt to study in a field where there is a serious demand for professionals, in this way they can increase their chances of finding a job after graduation and decrease the likelihood of having to leave the country and work overseas or remaining unemployed.”

It is crucial to pay attention to the various application deadline dates and to consider the financial implications of their study costs.