Final Year Students Gain Career Insights from Alumni

Final year students from Emeris Durban North and Westville recently gained first hand career advice from Alumni during a joint Career Evening hosted by Emeris Career Services.

A panel of Alumni engaged with the students and answered questions about the world of work, ranging from what should be included in a Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the importance of networking and building relationships in their respective fields. The panellists also emphasised gaining experience early and building a strong professional foundation.

The unofficial “Career Survival Guide” by keynote speaker Sadiyah Cassim (Emeris Durban North Alumna and Student Advisor at The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga) resonated with students who were anxious about the next steps following graduation.

“My unofficial Career Survival Guide is broken down into two parts,” explained Cassim. “The first part consists of career realities that we don’t realise until we enter the working world and the second part focuses on career survival tips”.

One of the key realities she shared was that a “dream job” does not always turn out as expected. Reflecting on her own journey, Cassim explained that although she worked towards becoming a retail buyer, she later realised it was not the right fit for her.

“Your first, second or even your third job is most likely not going to be your dream job and that’s okay,” she said. “There’s no such thing as a dream job. Instead, replace the word ‘dream’ with ‘ideal’. Your career is a stepping stone which each year brings you closer to where you need to be”.

She also reassured students about the uncertainty that often comes with starting out.

“None of us know what we’re doing because life and one’s career doesn’t come with an instruction manual,” said Cassim. “You figure it out and that’s the essence of everything you do in life”.

Encouraging students to embrace opportunity, she added that “opportunities will rarely find you when you’re ready”.

Cassim also spoke about the reality of setbacks, sharing her experience of being retrenched and needing to rethink her career path, which ultimately led her to a role in student support.

Her advice to students was to never stop learning, build meaningful relationships and not to doubt themselves as they navigate their careers.

Panellists Theo Mashoko (Junior Business Analyst at RCL Foods), René Clifford (Human Resources Manager at PKF Durban), Yajna Aheer (Specialist Wellness Counsellor in private practice), Owethu Sumayili (Teaching Intern at Crawford International North Coast), Mark Mellett (Attorney at Brookes Attorneys) and Cassim then answered questions from the students.

Clifford highlighted the importance of attention to detail when applying for jobs. “Your CV is our first impression of you. When putting it together, please spell check it,” she said.

Mashoko encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones. “When you step into the working world, no one is concerned about your comfort levels. If something needs to be done, you are expected to deliver,” he said.

For many Emeris Durban North students, the evening provided reassurance and practical guidance.

Simon Francis (Fourth year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching student) said Cassim spoke to some of the insecurities students felt and helped ease the pressure of having everything figured out. “It reminded me that it’s okay not to have a clear plan yet, and that figuring things out is part of the process”.

Fourth year IIE Bachelor of Laws student Alka Niranjan said the evening was informative and appreciated the range of perspectives across different fields. “Sadiyah’s words stuck with me. She said it’s okay to stumble because two steps back, two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward,” she said.

Final year IIE Bachelor of Accounting student Siyamthanda Mchunu said the speakers were relatable and helped her manage expectations about the working world, adding that she learnt not to limit herself to a single career path.

The Career Evening formed part of Emeris Career Services’ ongoing efforts to equip students with the skills, confidence and insights needed to transition into the working world.