EMPOWERED GRADUATES UPSKILL THEMSELVES
With a degree in the bag and motivation to become more employable, graduates attended the recent annual Regional Graduate Employment Workshop (GEW) hosted on The IIE’s Varsity College Westville campus. The GEW is aimed to equip unemployed graduates with soft skills, insight on how to present themselves to the job market and encourage graduates to be tenacious in their search for work. A panel of experts discussed various topics including, Personal Branding.Buhle Khake (One Voice South Africa) explained that graduates should constantly evaluate themselves to encourage growth, change and to be able to adapt in an ever changing environment. Said Khake: “Your personal brand is a projection of your image. Therefore, it is important to know who you are but still be able to evaluate yourself so that you can adapt and grow”.Graduates gained access to a wealth of interactive career resources and tools on The IIE’s Varsity College Career Centre Alumni Online Platform, as well as advice from IIE Alumna The IIE’s Varsity College Westville, Eden Lütge (Junior Community and Social Media Manager, The Hardy Boys). Mock interviews were conducted so that graduates could engage directly with experts from industry such as, Express Employment Professionals, Pro Talent Recruitment and Tower Group Recruitment, and receive feedback on how to best present themselves during an interview. Adrian Pillay (IT Talent Acquisition Specialist, Pro Talent Recruitment) concluded by highlighting various points on resilience and the importance of this skill in the world of work. Said Pillay: “Positive thinkers with positive habits produce positive results”.
Latest Durban Westville
- JURIDICAL SOCIETY FIND THEIR IDENTITYA Quiz Night was recently held to launch The Juridical Society (Independent Student Committee, The IIE’s Varsity College Westville) and to offer students an opportunity to network and build their substantive understanding of the legal profession through guest attendees. The society is run by elected IIE Bachelor of Law student leaders and is an initiative for IIE Bachelor of Law students, by IIE Bachelor of Law Students. Through this initiative, the society strives to offer peer guidance and support to all IIE Bachelor of Law students, manage projects such as social and networking events, as well as community outreach, to assist in developing students into successful future legal practitioners.Rajesh Maharaj (RHM Attorneys), Huzaifa Kader (DJ Wright Attorneys), Fathima Moola (Legal Advisor, Educor), Aimaan Isaac (Candidate Attorney, Abdul Shakejee and Associates, and IIE Bachelor of Laws Alumna The IIE’s Varsity College Westville) and Matthew Storme (Candidate Attorney, Lester Hall Fletcher Attorneys, and IIE Bachelor of Laws Alumnus The IIE’s Varsity College Westville), provided insight into the legal industry. The success of the launch has students looking forward to the next initiative and has stirred an interest in other students to join the society next year. Said Kiara Govender (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Laws, The IIE’s Varsity College Westville and Juridical Society committee member), “The quiz night was very inspirational and engaging with all the legal professionals who gave us wonderful exposure to the future world of work. We believe that the society will assist other students in succeeding in their studies and develop into professional legal practitioners”.
- BRIGHTENING LITTLE LIVES ONE MURAL AT A TIMEBabies and Grade R learners from Sizamakonke Crèche and Pre-School near Verulam (Umhlasini informal settlement) are excited about learning in their newly decorated classrooms. The Community Chest, in collaboration with The IIE’s Varsity College Westville, decided to make a difference to the babies and Grade R learners classrooms during the ‘Day of Caring’ initiative which is run through the Community Chest. Said Zama Mntungana (Principal Sizamakonke Crèche and Pre-School): “The educational drawings brought a bright uplift to the space. We appreciate everyone’s hard work in making a better learning environment for the kids”. One classroom and one nursery were decorated using paint donated by Dulux Specialist Paint Centre, Stamford Hill and Durban North. Said Fadeela Deedat (Public Relations Community Chest Durban): “Partnering with various companies to empower and enhance communities needing our care is very important to us. Our gratitude is extended to The IIE’s Varsity College Westville students who put down their books and pens to assist in uplifting one of our Early Childhood Development Centres”.
- 27 REASONS TO CELEBRATEWith a 92% average and 27 distinctions out of 27 modules, 2021 IIE Bachelor of Commerce 2021 Top graduate (The IIE’s Varsity College Westville) Brittany Lee Buchan-Swanson not only inspires but also thrives on sharing what she has learnt. Said Buchan-Swanson, “After I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in primary school, I shifted my focus to academics and it worked as I have done really well since. I set a goal and always envisioned that I would obtain my degree summa cum laude. My family was, and is, a solid support system and driving force to achieve my goal, was in my ability to stay focused”. “During my degree, Shaun Yeo, my Finance and Accounting lecturer, taught me to develop a particular way of studying by creating specific study notes. This helped me so much that I decided to share this with my fellow peers so that they could also succeed. As a result of this, I discovered my passion for sharing knowledge with and helping others, and now I have decided to pursue lecturing” concluded Buchan-Swanson.Buchan-Swanson currently works for a small Accounting firm in Kloof and provides private tuition for Accounting students. She is also furthering her studies and is currently registered for an IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Management.The IIE’s Varsity College Westville celebrated with 488 excited students with an overall average of 69.34%, as they were conferred from students to graduates in a jam packed auditorium in the presence of their proud parents, lecturers and peers.
- South African Graduate Employer’s Association Grad ExpoSambulo Ngidi (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Arts in Law The IIE’s Varsity College Westville) attending the recent virtual South African Graduate Employer’s Association (SAGEA) graduate expo. Experts from industry, which included Deloitte, Nedbank, Derivco, RCL and Sanlam, engaged with students and provided a scope on who they are and also provided insight into what they look for in graduates. In turn the students could explore graduate employment opportunities to kickstart their job search or to further their studies. The virtual graduate expo invited 2nd year IIE Bachelor of Laws, 2nd year IIE Bachelor of Accounting and all final year students to be a part of this invaluable opportunity. Said Ngidi, “Receiving insight on what companies require from graduates got me excited to begin my job search. Knowing where and how to start my career gave me the confidence to submit my CV”.
- IIE Varsity College participates in the annual sani2c(f.l.t.r) Warren Moolman (1st year IIE Bachelor of Commerce The IIE’s Varsity College Westville) and Matthew Scott (1st year IIE Bachelor of Arts The IIE’s Varsity College Pietermaritzburg) stoked after placing 3rd in the u23 “Young Guns” category after participating, for the first time, in recent annual sani2c. The IIE’s Varsity College had two teams compete.Said Carole Adam (Sports Manager The IIE’s Varsity College): “Our main objective for sani2c 2022 was to defend our u23 “Young Guns” title. Due to mechanical problems, the defending team lost their title and took a step down into 2nd place on the podium. We are super proud of our 2nd and 3rd u23 podium positions and congratulate the teams on their achievement. Our secondary objective was to cement the Brand’s cycling as a contender on the Stage Racing scene in South Africa and we are making great strides towards this”.
- Hoops, and they did it!Season 3 of the Step Nights Netball League (action netball mixed social league) started and ended off on a high note for The IIE’s Varsity College team. The IIE’s Varsity College dominated the court by winning the final (32 – 19) and proudly holds the record for the biggest goal difference for the season (324). Said Kristine Ford (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching The IIE’s Varsity College Westville), “The players conducted themselves in such a respectful manner on and off the court. The competition against the 9 other teams was tough. Season 3 is proof that the team’s hard work and determination paid off”.Despite the various challenges that the players faced such as loadshedding and flooding the team is very enthusiastic about defending their title in season 4.
