A recent career expo hosted in Parys is helping learners rethink traditional career paths by exposing them to the broader opportunities available within professional fields such as law, business, healthcare and engineering.
Approximately 1 500 learners and young people from Parys and surrounding communities attended the expo, which was designed to provide guidance on education, skills development and future employment opportunities.
Funded by Damlaagte Solar as part of its ongoing support for education and youth development, the event created a platform where learners could engage directly with professionals, tertiary institutions and training organisations to better understand the realities and diversity of different career paths.
One learner, Khanyisile Mazibuko, explained how the experience shifted her understanding of the legal profession. “I had always planned on becoming an advocate because I enjoy debating, speaking confidently and standing up for justice. But while attending the expo, I had the opportunity to learn more about the different fields within the legal profession. After listening to professionals explain the role of labour lawyers and the importance of protecting the rights of employees and employers, it became an interesting and meaningful career path as well,” she said.
According to Keatleretse Senomaere, Social Specialist at Damlaagte Solar, one of the key objectives of the expo was to ensure that learners are exposed to a wider range of opportunities that align with their interests, strengths and future aspirations, “Many learners are only familiar with a limited number of career options or professions. Exposure to professionals and institutions helps broaden understanding of what is possible and allows learners to make more informed decisions about their futures.”
Held at Phehellang Secondary School in Parys last month, the event no only welcomed high school learners, but also matriculants still considering career paths, young professionals seeking to upskill, students from higher learning institutions and unemployed graduates transitioning into the workplace.
The expo featured exhibitors from a range of sectors, including higher education institutions, government departments, financial institutions, emergency services and youth development organisations.
Learners attending the event highlighted the value of being able to ask questions directly to professionals and better understand the subjects, skills and qualifications linked to different industries.“The career expo has helped me discover many career opportunities that I did not know much about before. It opened my mind to careers that match my interests and abilities, and it helped me feel more confident about choosing a career path,” said Amogelang Baepi.
As a participating school, Principal Tlake from Weiveld Agricultural School said that educators also welcomed the initiative and the role it plays in helping learners prepare for life after school, as well as to motivate them to look beyond the more commonplace careers.
“By exposing learners to career opportunities they may not previously have been aware of — and in some cases careers they believed were only accessible to certain individuals — the expo helped broaden their understanding of what is possible. For Grade 9 learners in particular, subject choices for Grade 10 have become clearer, as they now have a better understanding of the different fields of study available and the importance of making informed subject choices moving forward.” concluded Mr Soke Tlake.
Damlaagte Solar noted that initiatives focused on career exposure and guidance remain important in helping young people access information, identify opportunities and build confidence as they plan for the future.
