POLOKWANE – The Contributing to His/Hers Experience (CHE) Organisation is igniting passion in students by exposing them to career opportunities.

The organisation was founded in 2018 with the aim of giving back to the community.

CHE founder, Carmen Palesa Mathlakola, a civil engineer who graduated from University of Witwatersrand, shared that people often think that the best way to give back to the community is with money, however, a memory can be just as sustainable.

“I want to inspire young minds by giving them a memory that will not only positively change their perspective towards their goals, but also influence and motivate them to achieve their dream career,” she said.

The organisation hosts events and campaigns aimed at exposing students to career opportunities such as job shadowing which has been done with a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer, civil engineer and masters graduate in endocrinology.

They also offer students CV and interview prep with a senior in human resources.

Mathlakola expressed that all students are welcome. “The organisation wants to spark hope towards the students’ aspirations, therefore, whether their grades are good or not, we believe that everyone deserves to experience a moment in their career path they would love to pursue,” she said.

Paulina Mphago, a final year civil engineering student got the opportunity to shadow Mathlakola at the Ivanplats Platreef Mine, under the Stefanutti Stocks Civil Company.

Mphago found out about Mathlakola on TikTok, where she saw her construction work content.

“Since I am studying towards a civil engineering qualification, her content caught my attention. It was then that I decided to follow her Instagram, where I also discovered her CHE organization page,” she explained.

She described the opportunity to shadow as a defining moment that made her realise the importance of team work.

“Whatever design is put on paper can become physical and take shape right in front of your eyes. I also applaud Mathlakola’s work ethic and passion. She really gave me a different perspective of how I used to view this industry which really motivated me,” she said.

Mphago further thanked Mathlakola for her time, effort, humility, and kindness.

“She did not hesitate to take me under her wing, which at first, I also could not believe. Despite many things that learned that day, I learnt that as a young, black female, I must look out for my fellow people. If you have the resources, where others can learn from, utilize them,” she said.

The organisation is in need of sponsors which can be in the form of co-hosting campaigns or being the professional to job shadow a student; by donating funds towards transporting students or by donating towards food for campaigns.

“I receive emails and messages from students with a variety of career paths they would wish to be exposed to. The biggest challenge is finding professionals for all these students in a vicinity they can reach,” she said.

Students looking for exposure opportunity can reach the organisation through email or private message on Instagram.

Mathlakola can be reached at che.organisation@gmail.com or on Instagram.