The workshop, aimed at final-year and postgraduate students, was an initiative of a group of four alumni members – Charles Matubule, Keketso Mofokeng, Kagiso Mphachoe and Vincent Kheswa – in partnership with the campus’s Alumni Relations Office and Career Centre.
In their respective presentations, the four proud graduates covered critical topics such as:
- CV structuring
- Interview skills
- Financial literacy
- Five questions of the human heart
The alumni involved made it their mission to give students an extra advantage for future employment opportunities, focusing on the competitive nature of the job market and the value of professional networks.
According to these four alumni, this workshop marks the first of many initiatives to follow. “We promise to bring several similar workshops to our alma mater covering various aspects of life, especially making inroads into the corporate sector as a young professional,” said Kheswa.
Sharing their personal experiences regarding their respective journeys into the corporate sector, all the presenters said they were very pleased to pay it forward and help to shape the next generation of young corporate leaders and achievers.
“We believe in the NWU and the value it offers its students. Since the moment we stepped on campus, we have taken pride in the university and now we want to pay forward and support our alma mater by being actively involved with student populace,” Kheswa concluded.
More about the workshop
Unlike similar workshops on work readiness, the alumni did not solely rely on multimedia presentations but also offered students the opportunity to practice one-on-one interviewing sessions with the facilitators. This allowed for detailed feedback and advice to each attendee.
What an attendee had to say
Speaking at the end of the workshop, Tafara Nasa, a final-year BCom economics: risk and investment management student, said he was impressed with the workshop. Tafara – who is an international student from Zimbabwe – thanked the alumni for the effort they took to visit the campus and to explain the ins and outs of finding your feet in the world of work. “The mere thought of competing with thousands of other graduates for a position in the workplace used to send chills down my spine, but I am more at ease now since I know what lies ahead and I can prepare in accordance to the set expectations,” Tafara said.
More about the alumni involved
Fresh from their student days and five years into their respective corporate careers, the four alumni are already making names for themselves.
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Charles completed a BA degree in behavioural sciences in 2012 and is the founder of a recruitment company, Khomotso Consulting.
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Vincent holds a BSc degree in business mathematics and informatics - obtained in 2010, and is currently employed as a model implementation analyst at Standard Bank. At the age of 28, Vincent enjoys acclaim as a poet, writer, public speaker, songwriter and recording artist. He is also a member of the NWU Vaal Alumni Advisory Committee.
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Keketso is a human resource specialist focusing on areas such as recruitment, performance management, wellness, training and development. He obtained a BCom degree in human resource management in 2009, followed by a BCom Hons in human resource management in 2010. As a career development specialist he recently joined the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) after being employed by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Keketso is registered with the South African Board for People Practice as a professional HR associate.
- Kagiso obtained his BCom degree in accounting management in 2015 and is currently working at NBC Holdings in the Fund Accounts Division as an internal control officer.
The four presenters with some of the attendees of the CV and Interview Workshop.
