Mbeki Khumalo inspires Varsity College Waterfall BCom students with industry insights and career guidance
This session not only provided students with industry insights but also boosted their confidence in navigating their future careers.
The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall campus Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) students had an exceptional opportunity in late May to engage with Mbeki Khumalo, the team leader for wealth and investments at First National Bank.
During this insightful session, Khumalo shed light on the dynamic landscape of the banking sector, offering students valuable real-world insights and career guidance in finance and accounting.
He provided an in-depth overview of various financial portfolios managed within the sector, highlighting the diverse career opportunities that banking presents, particularly for those pursuing finance and accounting degrees.
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Drawing on his extensive experience, Khumalo tailored his presentation to resonate powerfully with the students, making complex concepts not only accessible but also relevant. This approach allowed students to clearly envision their future roles in the industry.
Nadia Hannah Abdul Khaliq, a third-year BCom student, said the presentation was excellent. “It was refreshing to have a guest speaker. Hearing from someone successful in our field, particularly someone many of us aspire to be like, was incredibly valuable, especially for those interested in pursuing careers in banking,” Khaliq explained.
“We learned a great deal about the programmes First National Bank (FNB) offers, which was especially helpful given that many of us lack financial work experience and are still unsure about which area of finance to pursue.”
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Khumalo explained FNB’s rotational programme structure, which reassured students about their opportunities to discover their best fit within the organisation. He shared his personal academic and career journey, underscoring that various growth opportunities exist in finance, even beyond the traditional Chartered Accountant path.
“The presentation was highly relevant to our studies. Mr Khumalo works in the financial sector, and hearing from professionals within this space is always beneficial. Finance is such a broad field that it can be overwhelming to navigate without real-world exposure,” Khaliq added.
“Guest speakers like Mr Khumalo help bridge that gap by offering insights based on practical experience, making the different career routes in finance clearer for us as students.”
One impactful real-life example that resonated with many was Khumalo’s story of perseverance. After facing rejection with his CV submission, he refused to back down. He demonstrated his determination by showing up in person and delivering a five-minute elevator pitch, which ultimately secured him the job.
“This story inspired many of us, especially in terms of today’s competitive job market. It was a powerful reminder that perseverance and self-belief can make all the difference when trying to stand out”, Khaliq concluded.
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