Careers Expo for Built Environment and Development Studies Students

BY: .

The School of Built Environment and Development Studies recently hosted a careers expo and workshop for its students.

The event, held at the Howard College campus, exposed students to business opportunities; various careers in their choice of study; employment skills and knowledge; postgraduate course application procedures and requirements and allowed employers and sponsors to meet with their potential employees.

The workshop covered CV writing; interview skills; presentation skills; work ethics; postgraduate requirements (honours, masters and PhD); postgraduate application procedures; career and business exhibition; youth development initiatives and support; financial literacy and debt management.

The Dean and Head of the School, Professor Ernest Nene Khalema encouraged students to link their academic work (what they’ve learnt in class) with real life problems including being ready for the world of work. ‘Be the best that you can be in whatever you do. The country needs young minds to develop it. Transform your world through the skills and knowledge you have acquired at UKZN. Choose your career path and remember to always inspire greatness in whatever you do,’ he advised.

Third-year Community Development student Ms Sne Magwaza described the event as ‘life-changing and informative.’ She is confident that what she has learned from the workshop will assist her in finding future employment. ‘This is such a great initiative from the School. I hope it grows next year because it prepares us for careers in academia and in industry,’ she added.

Housing student Mr Lwazi Dlamuka believes the event created a platform for career guidance. ‘This expo provided us with network opportunities and expanded our horizons in terms of entrepreneurship,’ he said.

Some of the exhibitors at the expo were eThekwini Municipality, Mthonjaneni Municipality, Ilada Holdings and the Chamber of Commerce, amongst others. Students were also encouraged to pursue postgraduate studies within the School.

Words: Melissa Mungroo 

Photographs: Melissa Mungroo and Lindani Maphumulo