Ahead of Youth Day, on Wednesday 15 June, Grade 11 learners from Christel House in Ottery received advice for future career success.
Coronation Fund Manager CEO Anton Pillay, who is also the chair of investment industry body Asisa, shared insights gained on his career path and shared with learners what skills to cultivate for their own success in the 21st-century workplace.
“Given the education crisis in the country learners should remember that they are privileged to be in school and have the opportunity that they’ve been given, to use it to the best of their ability to ensure they are able to maximise their personal skills, their strengths to contribute not only to society but also to the country at large because we need it.”
Talking of his own experiences, Pillay told learners that they should remember the five C’s which are – critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship skills.
“Communication and collaboration I knew would happen, that happens at university when you work together and collaborate. The five C’s are there to guide you and are also in the context of what works for you and also what does not work for you. Is it important? Yes, but will it ensure success? That I can’t tell you.”
Learners questioned whether qualifications or work experience were more important in the work place especially after graduating with no work experience.
“I can’t expect you to have work experience in the formal sense of the word, so what you then rely on would be your personality and your character. If you managed to find work at a company during school holidays for example, it will give you a sense of what a working environment is. The message I’m giving you here is that you all want that perfect job, but when you start out the chances of getting that role is difficult.
“And what you have to do is find a role that allows you to grow and see it as a stepping stone, you use that role to grow in other areas and you may surprise yourself,” said Pillay.
Adri Marais, CEO at Christel House, said the school regularly invites inspirational people for career advice throughout the learners’ school years.
“We have 60 learners here today, two classes of 30 and we try regularly in high school throughout the year to have inspirational people, particularly from the world of work to speak to our children.
“I think the main thing our kids don’t have is networks in the economic space, so when they want to apply for a job or for a bursary or for a position or a holiday job, they don’t have the networks because they don’t even know necessarily that it exists.”
She added that introducing the learners to inspirational speakers opens their eyes to the world.
“So, bringing people like Anton of Coronation out is an eye-opener to the world and exposure is key to our career preparedness. So, we think of ourselves as much more than a school.”
She adds that the career programme assists learners well after they have passed Grade 12.
“We actually have a 13-year career programme, we start with thinking about careers and jobs and where you want to be in the world from the age of four. So, when starting in Grade RR all the way to matric we have exposure opportunities, we have thinking opportunities, psychometric opportunities to say what would the world of work look like for you.
“So, in the old days they may have called it career management, but for us it is a preparation and a view to what your life would be like.”
