Student Enrolment Management Unit Office (SEMU) at UWC Bellville Main Campus

In South Africa thousands of students drop out of university each year, not because they lack ability but often because they chose the wrong path. 

“When learners align their subject and study choices with their interests and abilities, we see a real difference - not only in performance, but in long-term confidence,” said Dr Laurence Corner, Head of the Student Enrolment Management Unit (SEMU) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

He believes early career assessments can make a significant difference in addressing this challenge.

“Aptitude testing helps learners before they commit, ensuring subject choices match their interests, skills and academic readiness.”

At UWC, learners have free access to a career assessment service designed specifically to tackle this issue. Whether they are in Grade 9 selecting subjects or in Grades 11 and 12 preparing for university, learners can book an appointment, complete a computer-based assessment, and receive a personalised report. A UWC staff member then unpacks the results in a one-on-one session, offering guidance, not prescriptions.

The assessment explores natural interests, strengths, hobbies and motivations. It’s not about locking learners into one career; rather, it’s about showing them a set of possible paths aligned with who they are. “These assessments don’t narrow learners into a single path,” Dr Corner notes. “Instead, they highlight suitable fields - like HR instead of teaching - based on the learner’s profile.”

For Grade 9 learners, this support is especially timely: subject choices made at this stage shape the rest of their school journey and influence university options. For older learners, the assessments can either affirm career goals or introduce new ideas they hadn’t considered before.

Dr Corner emphasised that the assessments go beyond academic planning. “We’re not just looking at what learners want to study. We’re encouraging them to think about the kinds of skills they need to succeed - critical thinking, analysis, and adaptability in a rapidly changing job market.”

With automation, artificial intelligence, and economic uncertainty reshaping the world of work, young people can no longer rely on guesswork. In a system where more than half of university students drop out, it’s vital to equip them with more than textbooks - we need to offer clarity, direction and confidence.

The more clarity students have early on, the better prepared they are for the demands of tertiary education - and the higher their chances of success.”

That’s why early career exploration is so important - it helps learners make more intentional choices about their future.

At 17, most learners are still figuring things out, but for Westerford High School Grade 11 learner Thami Hlongwane, a simple career assessment was more than just a box to tick - it offered clarity, confidence, and a surprising sense of direction.

I actually enjoyed it because, um, like, the results it gave me were pretty insightful to what my strengths are,” he said. “It’s hard by myself to realise what I’m good at and what I want, and it just made it easier for me to see and understand.”

UWC’s commitment to shaping future-ready students isn’t just about offering access to higher education; it’s also about helping learners discover who they are and what paths align with their strengths.

For Hlongwane, the process brought unexpected emotional clarity: “I think it did help to give me clarity. It kind of reinforced what I thought I wanted to do and said that I could be good at it. That does make me a bit more confident.”

The Westerford learner is considering a career in law: “I dreaded going in for it (the assessment) at first,” he admitted. “But it was pleasant. It wasn’t too difficult, and it was such a small thing to do that helped me a lot.” 

When asked if he would encourage others to do it, he didn’t hesitate: “It can be scary, but I think it’s a good thing to do. It’s not a long process, it’s very easy, and it can just be something that helps you.”

To every learner uncertain about their path - and every parent hoping to see their child succeed: book the assessment. Ask the hard questions. Get the support.

Because in a country where dropout rates are this high, guidance is not a luxury - it’s a lifeline.

For more information about career assessments at UWC, contact Ikca Cerf on 021 959 3279 or Emile Pietersen on 021 959 2405, or email recruitment@uwc.ac.za.