Did you know that the majority of job seekers in South Africa spend on average up to R938 per month looking for a job? This Youth Month FunDza has partnered with MoveUp to help you get ahead and save on CV costs by creating a free CV on their site AND stand a chance to win a laptop! Also, be sure to read Phoebe’s article below for more career tips to help you land a job or work experience.

When I was younger I had many dreams, and as I grew up those dreams changed as I gained more knowledge about the world around me. Today, what I have learned is that the good thing about dreams is that they never stay the same, because the more you know and the more you experiment the more you discover things about yourself and who you are and what you see yourself doing.

There are a lot of career options out there. For me, I was always interested in fashion. The fashion industry in South Africa is something that is growing and keeps growing, which I think is a good thing because more and more options open up for young people to get into. Before I knew a lot about fashion, I used to think that the only career in the fashion industry was simply designing. And that’s not all bad, but since getting to know more about how the fashion world works and what career options there are, I realized how closed minded I was.

I thought that since I could not draw or sketch then I could definitely not get into fashion school, so I chose other career paths. But if someone had told me back then of other options like fashion merchandising, stylist, fashion buyer, set designers, graphic designers, pattern makers, shoe designers, fashion illustrators, and lots more, then maybe I would have gone the other way.

When it comes to choosing a career, whether in fashion or otherwise, you need to do your homework and find out as much as possible what careers are out there. I have a few tips that might just help you to get an idea of what you should be looking at when it comes to making that big decision that might just change your life.

Who are you?

This is one of the most important question that you should ask yourself at least a couple of times in your life. This question is not just limited to your background; where you were born or who your family is. This question is also personal, meaning what kind of person do you think you are, what are your likes and dislikes, what are your strengths and weaknesses, etc.

Some people know who they are from a very young age, and it’s ok if it takes you longer to figure out who you are. But knowing what kind of person you are will really help you in choosing what career path you should be taking. Above, I mentioned a few fashion careers you could choose from, and when you know what your strength is, e.g. drawing, then you will be able to choose the right career for you.

Education

Once you know who you are, you can choose the right course to take up when you finish high school. Now I know some people will say, I didn’t have the right subjects in school and therefore it’s too late for me to get into a certain career path. There is always a way to get in, so don’t feel limited. Go to career open days at your local colleges or universities and find out what the requirements are for you to get into that particular course. Sometimes you will find that you just need maybe English or Art to qualify. Once you know what subject it is you need, you can apply for these subjects at FET colleges or even other colleges whether online, or even do a foundation phase to catch up on the subjects that you need. Don’t think that just because your high school didn’t offer it that you can’t do it. If you are still in high school, ask your teacher about taking you to career day, or even ask people you know who are doing the course you want to do about what the requirements are and see if you can do it.

Internships / Volunteer

When you have done your course and you are still waiting to find a job within that field, do some internships. Even while you are still studying I advise you to take up internships during your holidays, because these will help you get a fresh perspective as to how that industry works.

I loved working while studying because I got to learn so much, and it helped me to understand what it would be like once I finished my degree. It also affirmed my decision in the career path that I had chosen. So do as many internships as possible. Yes, people say they don’t pay or the money is not enough, but the whole point of getting an internship is so that you have an idea of what to expect. What if you finished a 5-year degree in something, and you have never had first-hand experience of it, and then you find a job and you start working and realise “Oh, I hate my job”?

That is why doing an internship is good, because if you do realise you won’t be able to cope with the demands of that career, then you have enough time to change and get into something else. If you can’t find an internship then try volunteering, it’s not the same as an internship because you might not be paid at all, but you will still get the experience you need.

Build a reputation/ network

For the fashion world, this is very important depending on what career in fashion you choose. If you want people to know who you are and make a name for yourself, then you need to create an online profile. This means get on Facebook and/or Twitter and start a fashion blog. This will help people know who you are.

You also need to network. Now, don’t mistake networking for just making friends. Networking means connecting with people on a more formal level and not just a social level as you would a friend. You can gain network contacts by attending fashion shows or events, and don’t be afraid to talk to people. Ask them questions, and be interested to know what their response is. Don’t only talk about yourself. Also get their business cards, phone numbers, connect with them online, and do follow ups so that they don’t forget you. You never know when you will need them again.

We know you love reading and writing but are you ready to succeed and achieve great things in the working world?

Fundza x MoveUp competition

Check out MoveUp’s FREE CV builder and stand the chance to win a laptop voucher to the value of R10 000!

(Only open to ages 18 and above.)