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Often people choose careers that offer a high possibility of success, and a few choose to chase passion. Considering the amount of training and teaching at school level, many pupils believe that going to university and eventually graduating will give them the edge in life, though it is not guaranteed that success is inevitable, but many still have hope that education will unlock opportunities. Due to the recent economic situation it is becoming more of a challenge for a young graduate entering the workforce to be absorbed by the industry, owing to the fact that demand is lower than the supply, which results in a surplus of graduates. This has generated a controversy in the media regarding the importance of education. While graduation is traditionally regarded as a cause for celebration among graduates and their families and friends, it has recently become a time when graduates consider the value of their qualifications in the job market. The mining industry is currently going through difficult times; many operations are closing down while others are looking for possible ways of cutting costs to remain sustainable. The easiest solution is to downscale. There are many reasons as to why the industry is depressed, one of which is that the international market is not performing well. As such, many final-year students are concerned about their future in the mining industry. The following are some of the most common questions that students ask in this regard.
Let's engage! Share your thoughts with the editor, Wesley Banda, by e-mail: wesleyb@mintek.co.za The Young Professionals Council (YPC) of the SAIMM has developed a web-based service to connect potential employers with job-seeking graduates. Companies that are looking to acquire talent to fit their organization and graduates who are seeking employment may contact Sam Moolla by e-mail: Sam@saimm.co.za. K. Mapotsane | ||
| Young Professionals Week 2017.
As a young professional in the mining and metallurgical industry, this is a challenge that requires our inputs and solutions. The Young Professionals Conference, to be held in March 2017, is an ideal platform for young minds to share solutions for the African mining industry. The theme of the conference is 'Unlocking the Future of the African Minerals Industry: Vision 2040'. Make sure you are part of the group that will be shaping the industry of tomorrow. Submit a paper today!
Submit the title of your paper and an abstract no longer than 500 words, in English, to Camielah Jardine: camielah@saimm.co.za K. Letsoalo | ||
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| Continuous Professional Development (CPD) The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is responsible for regulating the practice of engineering in South Africa. The Code of Conduct requires registered persons to practice strictly within their area of competence and to maintain and enhance this competence. They therefore have the responsibility to keep abreast of developments and knowledge in their areas of expertise in order to maintain their competence. In addition to maintaining their own competence, they should strive to contribute to the advancement of the body of knowledge within which they practice, and to the profession in general. | ||
| The Young Professionals Council The Young Professionals Council (YPC) of the SAIMM is a non-profit organization aimed at sustainably influencing and empowering young professionals to contribute to the profession. The vision of the YPC is to:
The values that guide the decisions of the YPC in pursuit of this vision include ethics, honesty, respect, gratitude, care, accountability, and integrity. Every path has its own light at the end Every engineering student prays for and works toward a bursary, particularly towards the end of an academic programme. This was the fortunate position I found myself in as a mining graduate. Like every student, I was looking forward to working in the industry after graduating. Sadly, due to the current economic climate, not all graduates sponsored by the company I was with at the time were offered an employment contract. This did not settle well with me. I think the worst thing was seeing the letter two hours before my final exam. I went through the whole year with the expectation of a 'guaranteed' job, only to be disillusioned in November. One can only imagine the emotional upheaval that I was going through, considering that I had turned down a potential offer from another company during the year. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons you need to make lemonade. My initial plan was to reconnect with the offer I received earlier in the year, but sadly that company was also affected by the economic challenges. I really could not do much between November and the first week of January. The internet became my best friend in job-hunting, but most posts required 5 years' experience. Based on the challenges in mining and shortage of opportunities, I considered a career in the financial sector. I remember receiving an e-mail from the YPC (SAIMM) indicating that they have a graduate database for members and inviting unemployed graduates to register online for it. I registered towards the end of January to explore opportunities. If only I knew this was my golden ticket. Two weeks later an e-mail with a job advertisement for a graduate with operational experience was sent out and I applied for the post. I remember when I saw the post I said to myself 'this job is mine'. I was called in for an interview and to my excitement was offered the position in March, which I accepted. I am currently involved in a collaborative programme, involving various stakeholders, that looks into mining R&D and manufacturing. The greatest highlight of the current work I do is being around the table with industry game-changers and being at the forefront of the future of mining in South Africa. Now more, than ever, I realize the importance of being affiliated to and active in professional bodies. As a student I was exposed to the SAIMM through various student activities that I participated in, the student colloquium and student debate being just two examples. I also regularly attended the Johannesburg Branch's technical presentations. I am currently an associate of the SAIMM and part of the YPC conference organizing committee. Apart from the Conference Committee, I also recently joined the YPC Enterprise Working Group. To every final-year student in mining and metallurgy; yes, the industry is not doing well but we still have a mining industry in the country. Look at your peers and ask yourself 'What sets me apart from the rest?' The true answer to that question will keep you going in tough times. What I learned from my experience is that we will not all travel the same path. But every path has its own light at the end of it. Katlego Letsoalo | ||
| SAIMM –YPC Newsletter The SAIMM-YPC would like you to contribute to the success of a greater mining and metallurgy sector. | ||
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Life after university … what now?
Poverty, unemployment, and low economic growth are just a few of the challenges that Africa faces today, yet most of the world's minerals are located in the continent. Meaza Zerihun Demissie indicates in a research paper that sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of Botswana, is a typical example of the 'resource curse' phenomenon. Abundance of natural resources, slow economic development, and misuse of natural resources are just a few of the challenges specific to the minerals sector.
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