The Wits University Graduate Recruitment Programme (GRP) hosted its inaugural Internship Careers Fair in Senate House on 23 June.
“The aim of our brand new Internship Careers Fair is the recruitment of students for the purpose of developing world of work awareness, skills development, and responsible attitudes,” said Bongi Ndlovu, Graduate Recruitment co-ordinator for the Wits Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU). “These are crucial attributes for young people who are about to join the world of work.”
Job hunting can be a daunting task, especially for first-timers fresh out of university. Internships are a practical way for students to gain work experience and on-the-job training in their field of interest, before graduating. In fact, an internship, or two, or three, during one’s years of study could be just the ticket to getting one up on the competition in today’s cut-throat job market.
Internships vary in length, but are usually somewhere between one week and three months. If students start early enough, and do several internships during their years of study, by the time they graduate they will have both the tertiary qualification and necessary work experience many employers insist on in new recruits.
“Although I haven’t used the programme yet, I have been notified of it via SMS,” said first year ‘Witsie’ Kyla Smit. “The system seems very efficient. It’s definitely something worth considering. I think if you make the most of the opportunity and get a good reference from the company at the end of it, an internship can definitely bolster your CV.”
“All of the companies who exhibited at our Internship Careers Fair have been screened,” said Ndlovu. “All are ethical and fair, and they do pay our students a stipend.”
The participating companies were as follows: Africa Wide, Airliquide, Bain & Co, CAMAF, DIRCO, H & A Creations, Investec Bank, iSolv Technologies, Liberty Group, Nkosi Property Group, Norton Rose, Oracle, Procter & Gamble, Regiments, Sesli Textiles, St GOBAIN, Teach SA, The Inspiration Lab, Tongaat Hulett, and Unilever.
Details: Bongi Ndlovu, 011 717 9145/0, grp.ccdu@wits.ac.za
