By: Mafumane Tlhapi and Keaoleboga Motshabi

The North-West University (NWU) hosted an alumni career guidance seminar on 9 April 2024, bringing together five professionals to share their insights on career development and industry opportunities.

The event took place at the Mahikeng Campus, where alumni engaged in discussions ranging from curriculum vitae (CV) writing and career-building developments to financial planning.

Lauren Govender from Westvaal Volkswagen in Mahikeng opened the workshop with a session on building a work and experience profile. “Having a mentor can help guide your path,” she said. “It is also important to explore side hustles to diversify your income and skill set.”

Innocentia Mphuthi, human resources practitioner from the NWU’s People and Culture Department, focused on job application processes. She explained that if you tailor your CV to each job and prepare thoroughly for interviews, employers will look for alignment between your skills and the role.

The possibilities that exist in the tourism and hospitality industries were discussed by Nhlanhla Themba of Mmabatho Palms. He said that there are numerous points of entry to this industry, ranging from hotel management to tour operations, and the field offers a variety of career paths to choose from.

Lebogang Moumakwe from the NWU’s Corporate Relations and Marketing shared some insights about being prepared for the workplace. He mentioned that students should prioritise tasks over titles and concentrate on developing their career capital skills, experience and networks, and should not be afraid to start over.

The seminar ended with a question-and-answer session where alumni sought personalised advice and clarity on industry trends. The platform also allowed for networking and encouraged participants to continue engaging beyond the event through mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Build skills, embrace change and stay ready. Industry experts share career and financial guidance.