2 Responses to “Get the most out of graduates early on!”  

1. 1 Raelene Aug 8th, 2008 at 11:21 am

   This advise is long over due!! Thank you Jules for putting out there for young people in South Africa. I speak from a fortunate position, studying a degree I love and working in a great space that makes use of the theory that I am collecting, but this, unfortunately is not the case for MANY young bright things that just want to get ahead!

2. 2 yojules Aug 13th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

   I received a wonderfully inspiring email in response to this article. I love to hear the eager voice of the youth of South Africa so articulately expressed in this hearfelt plea. Listen up, corporate South Africa!

   “I Miss M. Hope Khoza am a Media and Communications graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal – Howard College. This is something I have never done before – respond to an article which grabbed my attention and was interesting throughout – so kindly bear with me please. When I read the article for the first time, I was so stunned I had to read it all over again just to double check that my eyes and my brain were working together and not deceiving one another. I am stunned to learn that there is someone truly aware of what a University graduate is, and quoting from your article: Universities train people to think rather than to do, hence a graduate, in this case a top graduate is a smart person with a solid foundation in theory, the ability to think and potential to learn all the practicalities on the job; this statement left me nodding with a smile and enticed me to read on.

   Recently I received a Golden Key membership invitation, which has made me even more proud of myself and my academic achievements. Yet, I wonder whether my hard work will pay off in what I have planned to venture into and enable me to succeed in it.

   I am currently searching for a job and have come to realize that most companies and recruiters are seeking for people with qualifications accompanied with the relevant work experience. If this is a fact, then where are these graduates going to get an opportunity to put their information, enthusiasm and new ideas into play? For if employers are solely looking to employ those who have existing practical experience over those who need to gain the experience; this does not avail much room for the fresh university graduates who are seeking a platform to exercise their theoretical knowledge into practical experience. I perceive this as though companies are either unaware that graduates will need hand holding in their first positions or that they don’t want to have the responsibility of guiding graduates and showing them the ropes. You say most companies are aware and are willing to show grads the practical ropes, so I ask which companies are you referring to, and what one has to do to be part of such a company.

   I must say though that I do agree with you Jules, as a university leaver I recognize the gap, thus I need a platform to enable me to bridge this gap. I want to learn how to communicate professionally, persuasively and engagingly, I want to be skilled and know about the appropriate tones and styles that are used in the professional world. Over the past four years I have searched, collected and gained extensive knowledge about a vast field which is of interest to me, a field I aim to develop and grow into. I have the certificates to prove that I have worked hard, so no matter how hard the challenge I plan to play just as hard in order to soar. I will not walk away from a great dream on the brink of becoming a rewarding reality.

   I found your article interestingly intriguing and insightful; it is also tasteful and refreshing, to sum it up - beautiful. Thank you very much, for in an unsubtle manner you have motivated me to believe more in the person that I am and to seek not only within me but also around me in order to be fully equipped in this lifelong learning process – for that Juliet Newton I take my cap off to you, I salute you.”

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