The Career Centre of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus strives to bring quality employers and top quality students into contact with one another. This is exactly what happened during the handful of career exhibitions that have already taken place this year. Prospective employees had the opportunity to explore their job possibilities and at the same time companies could do their utmost to interest students.
On 7 May the Career Centre hosted a general show day where companies targeting more than one field of study could exhibit. Seventeen companies were in Loverslane that day. According to the Career Centre’s Anell van Pletzen they received excellent feedback from the exhibitors regarding the quality of the students. “They reckon it was a worthwhile to accompany them on the campus and are already looking forward to the next career exhibition. We also received positive feedback from students. It was evident that they were excited about the respective firms and the opportunities they offer.”
On 8 May it was the turn of Engineering and Natural Sciences to have their career exhibitions. These were held at the new Engineering building where 13 well-known companies were present. Van Pletzen thinks the exhibitors were equally satisfied with a well organised day and impressed with the calibre students who showed interest. “They feel our students are very well educated and it is evident that they are diligent and have good attitudes.”
On 9 May students of the Law faculty had the opportunity to meet potential employers. Seven firms participated in the day’s exhibition and the faculty’s postgraduate division and the Law Clinic also explained additional study opportunities. According to Van Pletzen the companies liaised with the respective students and provided more information about various career opportunities, holiday programmes, learnership programmes and bursary opportunities. “The students are targeted as potential employees from as early as second-year level. It is impressive to see that firms notice potential among students of such a young age.”
According to the manager of the Career Centre, Bernice Smit, the exhibitors were looking to recruit well-adjusted students. “They believe academic results are important but they also consider candidates who are strongly developed at a social level, show leadership, are involved in organised student life and they also look at achievements at cultural and sports levels. This is exactly what they found at the NWU.”
Rolien Roos, responsible for liaison in the faculty, and the dean, Prof Nicola Smith, also made time to personally welcome every firm at this day. “To build sound relationships with employers is crucial for the success of such a career day,” says Smith.
The biggest exhibition of the series belonged to Accounting. No less than 38 companies and three organisations were present. There were even three firms from the Western Cape and one from Namibia. According to Van Pletzen the popularity of this annual career exhibition is soaring. “This year we had to plan carefully to accommodate everyone.
The day was extremely successful and we were grateful for the presence of the accountancy students of all the year groups. The NWU can be proud of its students, staff and infrastructure as the firms gave good and positive feedback after their visits to our beautiful campus.”
Please do take a peep at video snatches of the career exhibitions on YouTube under NWU Career Centre.
Article issued: North West University