Students from the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) had the opportunity to hear directly from professionals about life after university during a panel discussion held on 31 July 2026.

The panel discussion, “A day in the life of an industrial psychologist and HR practitioner”, was jointly hosted by the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management and the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS) Student Academic Chapter. 

The discussion followed concerns raised by students earlier in the year about not having enough exposure to career opportunities and professionals working in their fields. The panel created a space for students to ask questions about the careers they are preparing for and hear different perspectives from people working in the industry.

The panel featured Lesego Danielle Masipa, registered psychometrist at Nedbank; Amogelang Chepape, organisational development partner and industrial psychologist at Mukuru; Tshepiso Mothupi, liaison officer in Career Services at the NWU; and Prof. Marius Stander, professor of Industrial Psychology, NRF C2-rated researcher and principal consultant at Fitt Talent. The discussion was moderated by Mfuneko Cindi, chairperson of the FEMS Student Academic Chapter.

Students came to the discussion with questions about entering the industry, internships, postgraduate studies, professional registration and opportunities available with an undergraduate qualification. They also wanted to know what employers look for when hiring graduates and how technology and artificial intelligence could affect careers in HR, industrial psychology and labour relations.

One of the main themes of the discussion was the importance of preparing for the workplace while still at university. Prof. Stander spoke about the importance of building a personal brand and gaining exposure before graduating. Students were encouraged to make use of opportunities that allow them to gain experience, meet people in their fields and learn more about the work they hope to enter.

Masipa also spoke about what makes a graduate stand out beyond academic marks. The discussion encouraged students to look at the skills, experiences and personal qualities they can develop alongside their studies.

The discussion was interactive, with students asking questions throughout the programme. After the panel, students continued engaging with the speakers during a networking session.

The feedback from students showed that many left the discussion thinking differently about how they should approach their careers. One student said:

“One thing I am taking away from today is that I need to market myself, I need to put myself out there and be inventive. I shouldn’t relax and wait for things to come to me.”

Another student reflected on the importance of developing skills beyond academic performance, saying:

“Your academics open the door but your skills, commitment, assertiveness and how much you need to know about a certain subject are essential.”

Another student noted that industrial psychology is “broad and masked in many titles” and that students need to explore the different areas of the profession to find where their interests and strengths fit.

The panel discussion gave students an opportunity to engage with professionals outside the classroom and ask questions about issues that are often difficult to understand from a qualification outline alone.

The programme concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks before students had further conversations with the panellists. The discussion was a joint effort between the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management and the FEMS Student Academic Chapter to create more opportunities for students to connect their studies with the world of work.