You’ve just passed matric, but studying further might not be
possible.
You do have other options, however deciding on the next step to take post-matric
is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, especially when you don’t
have time and money to play with.
“It’s a decision that could bind you for a lifetime.
You need to find a balance between what you can or prefer to do and the
resources available to you.” says Zimasa Kala, an East London-based career
coach and counsellor.
“There are various career compatibility tests online and
elsewhere that you can take to get a general feel of the careers that could
best match you,” Zimasa recommends.
These are the options available to you.
1. QUALIFY
Maybe the marks you got in matric weren’t good enough to qualify for
a tertiary education.
You may opt to rewrite some of the subjects early in the
following year or repeat matric entirely in order to improve your results. If
you can’t afford to go to university you can apply for bursaries or study loans
from government entities such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme
(NSFAS) or approach a commercial bank.
You will need someone, such as a parent
or guardian, who is employed and has a sound credit history to stand surety for
you. The closing date for Unisa applications is at the end of September. For
other universities and Technical and Vocational Colleges (formerly Further Education
and Training Colleges) it’s at the end of November.
Do a bridging course
Some universities offer
bridging courses to candidates who have marginally missed the qualifying
criteria. The application dates for these are similar to those for degrees, so
2016 will be the earliest that you can start one.
2. Find a job
As a new entrant in the job
market, you need to be flexible and willing to take on a lower position in the company,
be open-minded in order to learn and keep to company policies.
The last thing you
want to do is create an impression of being ungrateful for the employment
opportunity, thereby limiting your chance of advancement.
Register your CV with
as many employment agencies as possible. Usually the agencies will have a large
number of companies approaching them for temporary workers.
They can also help “clean
up” your CV to make it more presentable to their clients. You can also
volunteer your services to an organisation in or around your community until a
vacancy becomes available. You won’t get paid for your work but it will help
you gain some work experience. Visits websites such as Careers24; Indeed;
and Pnet.
3. INTERNSHIPS
At the beginning and end of
each year various companies that experience a shortage of skilled labour
usually offer internships, which provide a monthly stipend and training.
Look
out for these types of opportunities in your local or national newspaper, on
career portals or on the websites of companies that you might be interested in
joining.
4. LEARNERSHIPS
A learnership is a
structured learning process for gaining theoretical knowledge and practical skills
in the workplace, leading to a qualification registered on the National
Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Learners participating in a learnership programme
have to attend classes at a college or training centre to complete
classroom-based learning, and they also have to complete onthe- job training in
a workplace.
The workplace experience must be relevant to the qualification. Learnerships
are open to unemployed people as well as employed staff. Entry requirements vary
from none to Grade 12 and you will be paid a stipend. For a list of
learnerships, contact details, advice and tips on how to draw up a CV, visit SA Learnerships.
5. TVET COLLEGES
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College courses are
vocational or occupational by nature, meaning the student receives education
and training with a view towards a specific range of jobs or employment possibilities.
You earn a certificate at the end of your training.
Under certain conditions,
some students might qualify for admission to a university of technology to
continue their studies at a higher level in the same field they were studying
at the TVET College. Contact the TVET College directly for their qualification
criteria and fees for the course you want to study.
For a full list of colleges
in your area and contact details, go to www.fetcolleges.co.za
6. PART-TIME STUDY
Some universities and
private institutions offer part-time study options with evening classes or online
lecture facilities, which makes it possible to work full-time.
Other
institutions such as Unisa offer subject selection for a degree based on two
semesters per year. You can select the number of modules you would like to
register for, which allows you the flexibility to study at your own pace and
for what you can afford. The cost of half a module is about R700 and a full
module will set you back about R2 700. Visit www.unisa.ac.za for more.
7. TAKE A GAP YEAR
If you’re still unsure of
what to do or burnt out from your studies, consider spending the year finding
out enough information on what you would like to do – researching different
options before deciding on a course of action. This is not just time to spend
playing video games or sleeping late. Have a structured plan.
Ask yourself
where you want to go, what you want to do and for how long. You could travel overseas
to become an au pair; work on a farm, cruise ship or resort; or teach English,
do conservation work or share your sports skills.
There could be a registration
fee involved and you will have to pay for your own travel expenses. For more
info, visit www.statravel.co.za or call 0861-781-781.
For volunteer projects,
visit www.projects-abroad.org.za or www.gapyear.com