Careers and Career Choices and decisions

Career guidance

1. Grade 11 Life Orientation Term 1: Career and Career Choices - Part 1 – Intro: Choosing a career is a crucial step. It involves exploring interests, strengths, and opportunities. By researching different fields, seeking advice, and gaining experience, learners can make informed decisions about their future paths. Stay curious and open-minded as you navigate this journey! Next year in March, most universities open for registration. These institutions will use your final Gr 11 Progress Report to provisionally place you. Both the world and institutions are rapidly changing and we need to stay informed of these changes. With advances in technology (AI), and medicine the world is offering new opportunities, careers, better healthcare and longevity …

2. Tertiary Opportunities LOOKING AHEAD

3. How Qualifications are recognised and endorsed: SAQA - South African Qualifications Authority is an organisations that evaluates all types of qualifications in South Africa. By doing so it determines if qualification are legitimate as well as find exactly what category it should be pitched at. ALL qualifications have to be registered with SAQA!!! For example: The NSC (National Senior Certificate) is recognised and registered with SAQA. SAQA classifies the NSC Matric Certificate as an NQF Level 4 Qualification. NQF stands for National Qualifications Framework. In addition to this regulatory body, ALL high school qualifications must be endorsed by Umalusi as the quality assurer. They monitor the matric exams, matric marking and are the final moderators of matric examinations done either from the NDBE or IEB! This institution verifies that your final Martic Results are 100% true and correct. They then will endorse it with their Seal that comes with a unique serial number.

4. 1. TVET Colleges These institutions provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Some of the programmes offered include: Short courses Skills training Artisan training Distance education N4 – N6 (Business and Engineering studies) National Diplomas in Engineering and Business (NQF L6) 2. South African Universities (21 public Universities in SA) These institution provide specialised higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. Programmes offered include: First degrees (NQF L 7) Post-graduate degrees: Honours (L8), Masters, (L9) and Doctorates (L10) Post-School Education and Training Distance learning

5. 3. Universities of Technology These institutions provide technological careers and innovative problem solving research. Qualifications offered: Higher Certificates (L5) Diplomas (L6) Graduate Degree – B-Tech (L7) Post-graduate degrees: M-Tech (L8) and D-Tech (L9) 4. Private Universities and Colleges* These are private institutions of higher education and training offering certificates, diplomas and degrees. Examples of institutions: Damelin, AFDA, Boston College, Stadio and Varsity College Students often opt for these institutions as they have smaller classes per lecturer and good pass rates. - Check the registration status and credentials of private institutions (DHET accreditation). * Do not qualify for state or government subsidies (NSFAS)

6. 5. GAP YEAR – What if you are not sure what you want to do? –try a gap year- Students that don’t quite know what they want to study may opt to take a gap year. A gap year may include: Au pairing Working, studying and travelling through an agency such as OVC. Here youngster travel the world, work at amusement parks or summer camps, earn money, gain skills and meet new friends. Volunteer work – Giving a year of one’s life for charitable work Motivation - Youngsters use this year to gain maturity (find themselves), gain money and experience before coming back home to further their studies or enter the job market. A gap year is a break taken by students after finishing secondary school and before starting further education or a career. During this time, students often engage in various activities such as traveling, working, volunteering, or pursuing personal interests. The goal is to gain life experiences, develop new skills, and gain clarity on future career or academic paths. This is also a way of earning money to help with future studies.

7. Pros: Personal Growth : Time to develop independence, self-awareness, and maturity. Exploration : Opportunity to travel, volunteer, or work, gaining diverse experiences. Clarity : A break can provide clarity on career goals and academic interests. Skill Development : Learn new skills or languages that can enhance your resume. Cons: Cost : Travel and other activities can be expensive. Academic Momentum : Risk of losing academic momentum and study habits. Peer Progress : Friends may advance in their studies or careers while you're on a break. Reintegration : It might be challenging to reintegrate into academic life after a year off. Ultimately, the decision should align with your personal goals and circumstances. Pros and Cons of a Gap Year

8. 6. Funding Tertiary Studies Student Loans Students may apply for a student loan from a bank to fund their studies. Banks will want to check your Grade 11 progress report, Grade 12 termly reports and matric statement of results. The bank will want proof of application and registration form the university. Parents/guardians may have to stand surety for the loan. On completion of the degree, the student must pay the loan back with interest. Apply to various banks to get the best repayment rate. Bursaries Corporates and government departments offer partial to full bursaries toward tertiary studies. On completion, graduates will have to: Pay the organisation/department back by working for them. Usually for every year of study, the graduates must work back. National papers and websites post bursary advertisements. Scholarship and merit awards Academically exceptional students may be offered a scholarship from a university. (Rhodes scholarship) NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) A student may be granted a full bursary depending on their individual home circumstances. It is up to the organisation to access and determine how much will be granted to the student.

9. Information about courses and institutions where do you find info? Brochures from visiting EXPOs Guidance counsellor / LO teacher Educational psychologists Search a Universities website for its Prospectus Attend information evenings or open days Search tertiary institution websites Look at different faculties and courses to see what meets your interests Know your Admission Points Score (APS) - Each institution use a slightly different method of calculating the APS score - You need to know the application deadline of the institutions and courses you are considering. - Find out if you need to write the National Benchmark Test (NBTs) Most universities accept your APS score determined from your Gr 11 Report. However, there are a few that require additional tests to measure a writer’s ability to transfer understanding of academic literacy, quantitative literacy and mathematics to meet the demand of tertiary coursework. These tests are known as the NBTs. UCT is one such institution that requires NBTs to be considered to be accepted to their institution.

10. Aps Score Institution Course APS Closing Date Make a table (below) for yourself and fill in the deadlines and requirements needed for the course of your choice. Application Dates : Registration opens: March/April Closing dates for most Universities are: September/October Rating Code Rating Marks % 7 outstanding achievement 80-100 6 meritorious achievement 70-79 5 substantial achievement 60-69 4 adequate achievement 50-59 3 moderate achievement 40-49 2 elementary achievement 30-39 1 not achieved 0-29 Institutions place students a year in advance. They don’t allow walk-ins!

11. How to determine an APS Score Example: Study these results – determine the APS English HL: 70% = 6 points AFR FAL: 69% = 5 points Life Orientation: 82% = 7 points Mathematical Literacy: 75% = 6 points History: 50% = 4 points Consumer Studies: 40% = 3 points Life Sciences: 32% = 2 points The APS = 6 + 5 + 6 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 26 points You must have 7 Subjects, but the calculation will be determined from 6 subjects! If there is an 8 th elective subject – this can be used to replace one of your other electives in your subject package. Please note Further Studies Subjects and LO are never used in the APS calculation!! English, FAL, Math/Math LIT and LO are Fundamentals All other subjects are known as Electives Types of Matric Passes: BD – Bachelor Degree D = Diploma HC = Higher Certificate NCS Pass F = Fail or DNQ (Did Not Qualify)

12. Universities require a BD Pass for admissions. After receiving your report every term, work out your APS and determine your Pass Status to see if you are meeting the minimum requirements.

13. How do I apply? – Institutions prefer ONLINE APPLICATIONS Search for the institution on the internet Pay a non-refundable application Fee Fill in all the required fields Fill in more than one career option! Scan the following documents: - Certified copy of your ID - Certified copy of (FINAL) Gr 11 School progress Report - Recommendations and references The tertiary institution will acknowledge your application via sms , and email. Then wait patiently for further communication indicating if: You have been provisionally accepted Grade 12 results will determine final acceptance (an offer). Please Ensure you furnish the correct information! cell phone numbers Email addresses

14. Financial assistance National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) - Loan - Bursary Bursaries - Different selection criteria Scholarship and merit awards - Academically exceptional students. Student loans - Reasonable interest rates - Duration of study - Repay once you start working

15. Employment: Gaining a matric (NSC) allows access into the job market. Your NSC is your very first qualification (NQF L4 National Qualifications Framework Level 4). Most employers ask for a matric when you apply for a job. It is essential that a matriculant have: A Curriculum Vitae (CV) A driver’s license Ability to write an application letter or motivational letter Testimonial Access to the internet Interview skills Website for JOBS: www.careerplanet.co.za www.careerweb.co.za www.careerhelp.co.za www.ictjobs.co.za www.labour.gov.za