As South Africa continues to face high levels of unemployment, including among graduates, universities are increasingly challenged to prepare students not only with academic knowledge, but with the practical skills, networks and confidence needed to transition into the world of work.

The 2026 Career Xpo took place over three days and provided students with opportunities to engage with potential employers and alumni.
Image: Supplied

This was the thinking behind the University of the Western Cape’s 2026 Career Xpo - a three-day initiative designed to connect students with industry and strengthen graduate employability.

Bringing together recruiters, employers, alumni, professional bodies and career support services, the Xpo created opportunities for students to explore career pathways, engage with industry expectations and begin preparing for life beyond graduation.

For UWC, employability extends beyond obtaining a qualification; it is about ensuring graduates are equipped to contribute meaningfully in workplaces, communities and society.

Manager of UWC Career Services at UWC, Nazrana Parker, said the 2026 Career Xpo, held in April, was created to help students connect their academic journey with future opportunities.

“The importance of a career expo is to connect our students with industry, give them an idea of what they can do with their theoretical knowledge and qualifications, and allow them to broaden their thinking in terms of career options,” she said.

Parker said the changing world of work requires graduates to think more broadly about how they apply their knowledge.

“It breaks the narrative that if you study one thing, you can only do one thing,” she said.

The three-day Career Xpo took place in April in Jakes Gerwel at UWC
Image: supplied

Students had access to practical interventions including CV writing clinics, job search preparation workshops and networking opportunities aimed at helping them build professional profiles while still studying.

“We encourage students to access resources and follow events on UWC Career Xplora portal to plan their job search every year, bit by bit, until they get closer to completing their studies,” Parker said.

She emphasised that employability is built over time and not only after graduation.

Students were encouraged to participate in initiatives such as an elevator pitch competition, as well as receive guidance on how to engage with recruiters and communicate the value of their academic and co-curricular experiences.

“It’s not only about finding a job anymore, but it’s about knowing what challenges you want to solve with the knowledge that you have,” Parker said.

She encouraged students to think intentionally about how their classroom learning translates into practical impact.

“By the time they are updating their CV, building their LinkedIn profile or applying for opportunities, they should be able to demonstrate not only what they know, but what they wish to do with that knowledge, and the value they can bring,” said Parker.

Industry partners echoed the importance of career readiness.

Talent Manager at EY, Karmen Naidoo, said student engagement at this year’s Xpo reflected growing interest in long-term career planning.

“Today has been a very successful morning. Lots of students, lots of inquiries about the programmes we offer, and very thoughtful and insightful questions,” she said.

“I feel this year’s stream of students has been elevated. People are quite interested in the future compared to previous years.”

She acknowledged that many young people are navigating uncertainty in today’s labour market.

“We are also trying to use a career fair to inspire, motivate and get students back on track because confidence has dropped slightly.”

Students attending the expo welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with employers and gain insight into future career pathways.

One student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences said the experience highlighted the importance of ensuring that industry representation reflects the range of professional ambitions across different disciplines.

He expressed interest in seeing continued growth in opportunities available to students pursuing careers, beyond traditional accounting pathways, and welcomed greater visibility of alternative professional routes and support opportunities.

“My studies are going well, and I’m proud that I’m progressing and staying on track to complete my degree,” the student said.

The feedback reflected one of the broader objectives of the Career Xpo: creating a platform not only for recruitment and networking, but also for ongoing dialogue between students, industry and the University.

The programme reflected UWC’s broad academic offering and industry reach. The first day focused on careers within the legal sector, followed by accounting and financial services. Additional participation included retailers, government departments, postgraduate opportunities and sector-specific recruitment partners.

UWC created further opportunities for students to engage with employers through initiatives like the Discover Your Future Career Xpo and the Science and Technology Xpo in July, and recruiter engagement events throughout the semester.

For Parker, the message to students is simple: employability starts long before graduation.

“They need to participate in activities, be it work-study, co-curricular, community, sport, part-time work or leadership roles, while they are students. Employers are looking at how students are using their knowledge and time to grow.”