#IamUWC students meet prospective employers at the Careers Xpo
Once again the Main Hall was abuzz with UWC students and recruiters from leading South African companies and organisations who participated in the 2016 UWC Careers Xpo, held from 19-21 April 2016. The Careers Xpo provides an opportunity for students to make personal contact with prospective employers and to enquire about the company and career opportunities, and for companies and organisations to market themselves to our students and create brand identification and awareness.
In her welcome address to recruiters, Prof Pamela Dube, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, confirmed that UWC has reliable and committed partners in graduate recruitment. She remarked, “We continue to do amazing things with less, but we rely on our collective ability to change despair to hope and average performance to excellence. UWC is moving forward with speed towards a journey of excellence in every way possible, and we are eternally grateful for your partnership on this journey”.
A total of 94 recruiters and almost 4000 students attended the Xpo over the three days. While a large focus was on Law and Commerce, an increasing number of recruiters targeted students from the Arts and Natural Science faculties. Most participating companies had UWC graduates as part of their marketing team, thus enabling our students to realise that their dreams can become a reality.
Several recruiters were complimentary of the Xpo. Jen van Heerden of The Foschini Group said, “The Office for Student Development is an efficient, friendly and valuable university partner. We love working with Nazrana and her team, and find them willing to go the extra mile to assist their students in finding meaningful employment opportunities.” Other compliments included: “Will definitely attend again next year”; “you are the best ‘university’ partner we have”; “Very good Xpo with a diversity of students”.
“The Careers Xpo brings students face-to-face with prospective employers and alerts them to utilise their time constructively in developing work-related skills through co-curricular participation and work experience. This allows them to become marketable and have the competitive edge”, said Nazrana Parker, Careers Service Coordinator.
A few more comments from Xpo attendees:
A UWC alumnus at PWC had this to say to students: “Be open minded, work very hard and take advantage of opportunities presented to you”.
Zulpha Jones, a second year Medical Bioscience student: “Attending the Xpo broadens my knowledge as to which companies I can work for – I didn’t know that some of the companies also consider B.Sc graduates”.
Since 2013, UWC Careers Service has been voted in the Top 7 of ‘Best Career Service’ and ‘Best Career Fair’ by the South African Graduate Employers Association Employer Survey. What more can you ask of the Office for Student Development as they facilitate students’ entry into the world of work?
For more information about career services offered on campus, visit the Office for Student Development, 1st Floor, University Centre (in the cafeteria, next to the lift) or email studev@uwc.ac.za or visitCareer & Admission Advicealso go to FACEBOOK and ‘LIKE’ UWC CAREERS SERVICE.
