CAREER CHOICE Choosing a Career Direction - The challenges of studying with a view to employment in the 21 st century.

The old world of work  Career choice for a long term career  Integration around a particular career theme  Orderliness in career growth  Sequential Career Development  Hierarchical progression in status and career advancement  A career and job for life  Loyalty to one’s company/organization and employer  Benefits and a pension from the organization in recognition of loyalty

The New World of Work  Career choice for change and development, ongoing learning and continuous development  A portfolio career where job change is a constant (4-8 job changes in a lifetime)  Self- and short term employment (and unemployment)  Adding value to the organization and constant renewal and development of one’s personal skills  Management of one’s own job training and developmental needs  Management of one’s own benefits  Remuneration and job progression will reflect one’s considered contribution.

“A degree or diploma is no longer a meal ticket to a future career but merely a license to hunt”  No-one can rely on a degree or a diploma to automatically guarantee a job  The focus is on all-round development  Therefore choose a course that matches your strength and from which you can build a career base with commitment, enthusiasm, enjoyment and energy

Career Development – A process Information about yourself Information about Studies and Careers Decision Making Career Development in Tertiary Education Job Search Skills

How do you Choose? Information about yourself Academic Strengths, Interests Your skills and Abilities Your values and Interests Personality Characteristics What’s your temperament Your Motivation, Energy, etc. Information about Studies and Careers Research Careers and Skills Study Options – research all Match Studies to your Strengths Career Development? Networking, etc Research Courses and Training Decision Making By gaining self insight through exploring your options, the “two sides of the coin” develop each other.

Self-Knowledge  Interests - What do I enjoy?  Aptitudes or Strengths – What am I good at? What skills do I have?  Values – What is important to me? What do I believe in?  Goal-setting – Where am I going? How do I get there? What are my aspirations?

Occupational Knowledge  Nature of the work  Places of Employment  Qualifications and advancement  Employment outlook  Earnings and job conditions  Job seeking skills (JOB SHADOWING MAY HELP HERE)

Educational Knowledge  Which educational programmes will provide the knowledge and skills that I need?  Which subjects interest me?  Which courses will I need to take?  Which degrees, diplomas or certificates do I need? (VISIT INSTITUTIONS AND OPEN DAYS)

Making a decision!  Link Self-knowledge with Occupational Knowledge and Educational Knowledge.  Be Realistic.  Look at Finance.  Discuss family expectations.

What is a pass?  40-49% in the “Home Language” (language of Teaching and Learning)  40-49% in two subjects  30-39% in three subjects  One subject may be failed  No condonations

Types of Tertiary Qualifications  CERTIFICATE  DIPLOMA  DEGREE  POST GRADUATE DEGREE or DIPLOMA

For a Diploma  You need a NSC  You need at least 4 subjects at, at least level 3 (40 – 49%)

FOR UNIVERSITY  To qualify for degree study, you need at least 4 of your 7 subjects to fall in the “designated list” of subjects and have an achievement rating of 4 (50-59%) or above in at least 4 of the “designated” subjects.  The designated List is: Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Engineering, Graphics and Design, Geography, History, IT, Languages, Life Sciences, Maths/Maths Lit, Music, Physical Science, Religion Studies, Visual Arts.  Universities and other higher education institutions have the right to set additional requirements.

Additional requirements  APS (Admission Point Score)  National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) or Access Tests/Alternative Admissions.  Minimum requirements in certain subjects in certain Faculties and courses. Gateway subjects.  Language requirements  Each University or other institution sets its own set of criteria.

Higher Education Points System APS (Admission Points Score) Symbol A B C D E F

Wits (APS) SymbolEngMathsOtherLO A A B C D E F 30-39

Choosing where to study  The best academic tuition  Opportunities for career planning, career and placement counselling and career development programs  Facilities for rich extramural involvement  Information to help you make informed study decisions  Opportunities to visit the campus

And then?  Career focused vs general qualifications  Post-graduate study?  Building a good CV  Internships  Networking  Community involvement  Work history  “International Recognition ”

Remember  Choose something you enjoy!  Choose something that you are good at!  Work hard and do your best because there is lots of competition  Think about what future employers are looking for