First, when I came at the world of work training (Wow), I had a clear goal of getting an opportunity to work within a mining company. Because my academic studies have enabled me to develop good skills in research and writing, I aimed at helping organizations in mining sector to balancing key economic, social, environmental and ethical values. Why only mining company one may ask? My motivation had its source during the time I was working for an NGO thorough its arks here in Gauten. I was amazed to see that vulnerable and orphan children could smile again because small organization such as NGOs compared to a mining company, could do its best to keep them at its attention.
In the 1980’s I was living in one of GECAMINE’s (General des Carriers et des Mines) host community in Katanga/DRC. Though in the 1970’s this company was rated as the world’s lowest cost copper producer, Its social awareness was inefficient. While living in its host community we were facing consequences mismanagement of environmental, health and social procurement. Why not to have a carrier in social corporate responsibility sector as it has become an imperative requirement in many legislation? This is my reflection one month ago.
Today, after listening to many guests at the Wow, I am realizing that I have a potential to work in many other sector and that nowadays work-places doesn’t stick to our academic background necessary. I have discovered my inner-skills and learn a lot about professional life. Two days before the end of this programme, I don’t really know what I should go for in the first place. While I still have my previous goal on board, I feel empowered to be of important contribution in any organization. Decision…decision.
6 comments:
Adam,
As Fiona pointed out, the average adult will make several career changes in their lifetime. Isn't it exciting though? The fact that you can just cahnge careers mid-way or quarter-way. I like the fact that I have many options. It is of course important to have a focus or you'll drift from career to career without making much impact in any particular sector, or even learning sometime valuable.
As humanities graduates, we are allrounders and hence qualified for different jobs. I am however suprised that business really thinks they are not very useful, these graduates. In the 1990s in Canada, they told us how business thinks humanities grads are good for their analytical and interpersonal skills, etc.
Adam, you are completely right. As you remember, in several of our previous sessions, we talked about exposing our qualities to the workplace.
As Andrew Hofmeyr pointed out earlier, one needs to expose his (her) qualities, not necessarily his (her) qualificatons. At the end of the day, the skills that we have developed count for our success at the work-place and in life.
Whether businesses are receptive to hiring humanities graduates is debatable- I think it very much depends on the company. But we are definitely able to do a variety of things- which is also why it's a little more difficult to find jobs, I think, because we don't have specific, market related skills (eg accounting). Rand Merchant Bank has a programme called "class of" where they take on people with any degrees- the wackier, the better, they claim- in an attempt to broaden their skills as a company. Whether other companies think the same way, I don't really know.
Adam, with your positive attitude, lots of fields will be open to you, so have fun exploring them!
Dear Adam,
It has been such a pleasure meeting you. I very much enjoyed the ways in which you always questioned or challenged what was said during our sessions. I think you also have a very engaging personality and a kind heart. I liked the ideas you presented during your presentation and I see you doing many good things. Just be sure to be focused on one main thing that you build up before now branching out (possibly) to other things. I will certainly keep in touch. I am also sad that this time together as a team is over. God bless you and I hope we'll be able to collaborate on a project in future.All the best.
Adam, I hope your concert went well. Pity I couldn't make it. Make sure you keep in touch. Good luck with the internship and life in general. I will keep in touch and perhaps when I get back we can collaborate on a project.
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