Rocking Future Expo visits Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld

The Rocking Future Expo recently kicked off its 2025 tour at Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School, marking the start of another year dedicated to helping young South Africans map out their future careers.

Currently touring high schools across the East Rand and Cape Town, the expo will visit Pretoria, Johannesburg, Gqeberha and KwaZulu-Natal schools between January and May.

Kay Cheytanov, the founder of Rocking Future, said the free expos help school leavers make informed career decisions, develop critical skills, and explore employment opportunities in a country grappling with high youth unemployment.

“For 24 years, the Rocking Future expos have helped high school learners discover exciting opportunities that await them once they leave school,” said Cheytanov.

ALSO READ: Thembisa SAPS brings career expo to local matrics

“This can be a daunting time for learners, especially those unsure of what to do or how to find a job after finishing school.

“Through the career expos, the 3RC team and top-class tertiary education organisations help students understand the options available and decide which careers suit their personality, skills and ambitions.”

In 2024, the Rocking Future team visited 231 high schools in a five-month tour, distributing over 29 000 Future Guide magazines, a valuable resource to motivate and inform matric learners about life after school.

Cheytanov, a professional musician, was inspired to create the expo after realising the positive impact she could have on the lives of young people.

ALSO READ: Bright minds earn rewards at Eskom Expo

In the first year, she visited 25 schools with her band and four colleges. Today, the expo reaches 240 schools annually, impacting more than 35 000 matric students.

“My passion for helping South African youth has only grown stronger over the years,” she said.

“I believe that by presenting learners with a variety of choices from private tertiary institutions, the expos can remove barriers to entry and provide students with more opportunities.”

Cheytanov said the expos have made a significant difference in many students’ lives, citing examples such as OT from ETA, who was inspired to pursue a career in sports, and graduates who now work for 3RC.

One teacher even traced her career back to attending the expo as a matriculant, which led her to study teaching through STADIO.

The Rocking Future expos are inclusive, catering to learners from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of interests.

Institutions at the expos offer programmes in fields such as arts, business, IT and agriculture, with specialist colleges like The Animation School and institutions like STADIO showcasing various career and study options.

ALSO READ: Local church holds career expo

Tertiary institutions engage directly with students through video and verbal presentations, offering insight into their programmes and student life.

The Future Guide magazine complements the expos, providing key information on institutions, courses and life beyond school.

Due to logistical limitations, the Rocking Future Expo has reached capacity for in-person events, but Cheytanov said learners can still access career guidance through the organisation’s virtual platform, Swiwel.

“Swiwel offers free personality tests, career assessments and information about institutions and study options. It’s available to all learners in grades Eight to 12,” she explained.

“Schools, educators and parents can support the initiative by booking the expo or encouraging learners to explore Swiwel.”

Cheytanov left learners with some powerful words of encouragement:

“Success is not a straight line. Life is a path of discovery. If you are a lifelong learner, you will always win, and if you don’t get into that State university of your choice, life does not end. I encourage students to trust the process, research their options, and make informed decisions about their future careers.”

ALSO READ: Two sentenced for possession and exportation of 27 rhino horns

Over the years, Cheytanov has observed evolving trends in student aspirations.

“We track career interests every year, and business studies consistently tops the list.

“In recent years, we’ve seen a growing interest in careers that open doors to international markets, such as finance, nursing, and teaching, because these are in demand worldwide.”

She added that the rise of technology has introduced students to careers that barely existed a decade ago, including social media management, game design, UX/UI design, cybersecurity, stock trading and cloud development.

“These expos show students that the future is filled with exciting and meaningful opportunities, often in places they may not have thought to look.”