Do you have what it takes to build the career you want? This is the question that the Alumni Relations office will try and help students answer during a series of Careers Cafés to be hosted by Alumni Relations, in conjunction with various faculties at Stellenbosch University (SU), starting in October.
The first of these Careers Cafés will be held in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on 12 October in the form of a TedTalk-styled talk by Google SA Country Manager, Luke McKend, who is also an alumnus of the Faculty.
McKend completed a BA degree in English and Philosophy and after working for a number of online businesses abroad, joined Google UK in 2007. Over the years he has worked with some of Google's largest clients developing their digital marketing strategies across a number of industries in the UK and is now responsible for building Google's business in South Africa.
By collaborating with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for the pilot talk, the Alumni Relations office hopes to provide a platform for alumni to engage with the university in a different manner by offering their time and skills to help current students prepare for the careers they want.
"Whilst we are always very thankful and appreciative of the financial contributions and gifts that our alumni continue to make to their alma mater, it is not the only way for alumni to support and engage with our university and faculties. We have come to realise that there are alumni who would like to give back to their university and/or faculty, but would prefer or are only able to contribute their skills and time, which are equally valuable resources," says Mr Shaun Stuart, Manager: Alumni Relations at SU.
While a graduate destination survey conducted by the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) amongst a 2010 cohort of graduates from Western Cape universities indicated that SU had the lowest number – 4,1% – of unemployed graduates in South Africa in 2012, also of concern is a global trend that indicates that while degree studies may equip students for the jobs they will perform in future, they often tend to lack the soft skills, such as communication, time management, conflict resolution, presentation and interpersonal skills, to further excel in the workplace.
"So while this institution and our faculties are equipping students with the relevant skills and knowledge to perform the work required from them when they enter the workplace and as it relates to their specific degrees, we are realising that there is also a need to focus on improving our students' soft skills in the long run."
The first Humanities Careers Café in October will allow the university to do just that and at the same time build more personal relationships with past graduates.
"This is part of a bigger drive at the university to connect with our alumni in a variety of meaningful ways, to build more intimate relationships between alumni and their faculties, and to start connecting with our future alumni and inspire them to think about their lives beyond university and start building the career they want now."
Invites have already been sent to students from the Faculty and those who RSVP will receive a free bagged lunch that they can enjoy during the talk, which will held between 13:00 and 13:50 in Room 230 of the Arts building. Students are also encouraged to like the University and Alumni Facebook pages to receive more information about the talk in the weeks preceding it and to enter the Facebook competition to win a free dinner with Luke and members of the faculty and the Alumni Relations office on the evening of the talk.
"This will be a great way for two of our students to get to know Luke in person as well," says Stuart.
- After the event, a survey will be conducted amongst students on ways to improve the Café going forward and a lucky student will also stand the chance to win a voucher for two from Hudsons in Stellenbosch during this exercise. If you want to follow this event, tag us by using #BuildYourCareer |#BouJouLoopbaan and #SUCareersCafe | #USLoopbaanKafee.
