School learners need to know as early as in Grade 9 which careers they will follow post matric. This was one of the key talking points on Tuesday, 31 July 2018, when the University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosted 500 Grade 9 learners from various provinces, their parents and teachers at the 2018 UJ Grade 9 Subject Choice Seminar.
Through this seminar, the University helps these future graduates to make smart subject choices at the early start of their high school journey, preparing them for better decision-making on career choices. Officers from seven faculties and the College of Business and Economics exchanged valuable information with the learners on course requirements for qualifying to enrol, and encouraging parental support, among other useful university services.
“This seminar helped me understand what subject choices I need to make in order to pursue Medicine or Law. It also gave me a deeper insight into what my pass score should be in order for me to qualify for a university admission,” said Yanga Mzama, a Grade 9 student from Wordsworth High School in Benoni.
UJ Student Marketing coordinators Mr Melisisizwe Notwala, Mr Lesego Legoete and Professor Alban Burke, Director: Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development, as well as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala encouraged the learners to take their studies earnestly in order to secure a brighter future.
“Follow a career path that suits your personality and interests. This also goes to parents; please do not force your children go into careers they do not like – do not to live your dreams through your kids,” said Mr Legoete.
“One thing for sure about UJ is that it is a caring University. We do not only cater for university students, but we also extend our services to high school learners because we want people to make the right decision when it comes to careers,” said Prof Burke.
Some of the parents shared their experiences regarding career choices for their kids saying that it is a good idea to offer career guidance to learners at a very age so that they do not find themselves trapped in a field of work that they do not enjoy at a later stage in their lives.