“Young people should never underestimate the value of networking when job hunting or trying to make up their minds about career choices. This viewpoint, in part, resulted in the TUT Chapter Committee at the Department of Electrical Engineering organising this event, in collaboration with the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE). The fest also enabled us to expose students to industry and the opportunities available out there, and to give them more information on careers. Every opportunity young people have is an opportunity to network and to expand their network of industry contacts,” says the Department’s Rejoice Kekana.

Students attending the Department of Electrical Engineering's first Job Fest.

 

Although 12 companies were approached, only four subsequently participated in the fest. They are Nkoka (a training company), Metrorail, Montecasino and LabFab. They were eager to inform students of possible work opportunities in their fields.                        

 

“Apart from the career information they received, these young people now have a head-start on their peers, since they already have a connection with representatives of these companies. In future they will be able to contact them directly for work-integrated learning opportunities or future employment at the companies,” Rejoice adds.