The Rocking Future hosted a career expo at Springs Girls’ High School, which was attended by the school’s matrics on March 12. Various higher learning institutions, such as Stadio, Boston College, Eduvos, and Swiss Hotel School, attended the event for the learners to explore career choices.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser at the expo, Boris Petrenko from Rocking Future said that holding expos for matric learners is to show them all the options available, such as becoming an au pair.

He said that their expos bring institutions to learners with niche career choices and help them with the information that will expand their decisions. They must have a sense of direction, but it’s also to let them know that it is not the end of the world if they don’t have an idea.

“We know how overwhelming it can be for matriculants right now. They’ve got the prelims coming up, then finals, and in the same breath, they have got to think about what they’re going to study,” said Petrenko.

Petrenko emphasised that there are gap year programmes that help learners with careers and added that work experience straight out of matric is a real thing that some people consider.

He advised learners who decide not to study directly after high school to use the time wisely.

“Look at internship programmes, build a network, maybe do some exploring adventures, or look at gap year programmes. So build your network, be productive with your time, build skills, and most importantly, just try and make it a priority to find that thing that you are going to do. And even if it takes 12 months or 24 months, eventually you’ll get it. But in the interim, use that time wisely,” he said.

Two learners from the school, Dineo Nhlapo and Neo Sapheza, told the Advertiser that they were happy to be part of the expo and thanked their school for bringing the various institutions.

Nhlapo said that the expo was useful because she was able to gain an understanding of some careers. She shared that she might take a gap year.

“I am thinking of being an au pair because I love children, and I will use it as a chance to travel to various countries.”

Sapheza shared she was happy to see various culinary schools joining the expo because she might also study hospitality. A business course is also an option.

“I love cooking, so maybe I can do both, where I can open my restaurants because I would have combined the two things that I love the most,” said Sapheza.

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