CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Putting the YOU in UCT Alicia Okeyo, a recent UCT graduate and a former Careers Service intern, shares how she made the most of her student experience. As a UCT graduate with a BSocSc (Hons) in Social Development, PGDip in Management (Tourism & Events Management) and a BSc in Genetics & Applied Biology. My path has not been an easy road. I had a few stumbling blocks, initially getting excluded from UCT in my first year after a failed attempt at an Engineering degree. But this was probably the best mistake I ever made because it allowed me the self-reflection and time needed to find out what I am passionate about, what I am good at, and more importantly, to consider these whilst actively managing a career path. What better environment to nurture academic, social and career development than at our beloved UCT!
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS ON HOW I MAXIMIZED MY STUDENT EXPERIENCE, TO ENSURE THAT I DIDN’T JUST GAIN A DEGREE: Mentoring Following my return to UCT after being excluded, I mentored struggling first year students and shared my story as a form of encouragement. Mentoring is a good way to nurture interpersonal skills, a vital tool for building key professional and personal relationships in future.
Explore all your interests If you find that, like me, you have a myriad of interests, who says you have to stick to one field of study? Part of the privilege of being at university is to gain as much of a variety of knowledge and experience as one possibly can!
Don’t put yourself in a bubble Stop living inside your head; you are often your worst critic! Rather, take every opportunity: apply for bursaries, scholarships, jobs etc., even if you think you don’t meet all the requirements. Sometimes the application process is a lesson in itself.
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