I enrolled at the University of Pretoria in 2016 to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work. I completed my bachelor's degree in 2019, and the following year, in 2020, I registered for a master’s degree in social work research. In June 2021, I completed my master's and graduated later that year in September. Currently, I am in the process of completing a PhD degree in Social Work.

Career path

After obtaining my Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2019, I had the opportunity to work as a Social Worker intern at Reliable House in Hatfield for two years (2020-2021). The shelter, managed by the Unit for Community Engagement at the University of Pretoria, aims to assist chronically homeless men recovering from substance abuse. This period was challenging as I had to balance my master’s studies with my internship work. Nevertheless, working at Reliable House provided me with an opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical context, promoting my professional development. I also had the privilege of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team from the Community Oriented Substance Use Programme (COSUP), which offered valuable feedback on my practice abilities.

Motivation for my career path

During my upbringing, I lacked clarity on my desired profession due to limited exposure to career guidance opportunities. However, I had a deep-seated passion for helping disadvantaged individuals in society, though I was uncertain about the suitable profession for pursuing this passion. It was only when I had a conversation with a family friend who was a social worker that I became captivated by the profession. Her description of her work and its impact on others inspired me to pursue a career in social work. Shortly after, I applied for a social work degree at the University of Pretoria and was accepted.

Experiences in community engagement and professional development

Being part of the community engagement efforts through Reliable House exposed me not only to social work-related roles but also to various broader social welfare initiatives. As a social worker intern, my responsibilities included providing psycho-social support for service users, participating in community engagement projects, and guiding final-year social work students with their practical work. These roles allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge in practical settings, despite the challenges of working with severely vulnerable individuals affected by substance abuse and chronic homelessness. I received valuable supervision and support from a senior social worker at COSUP, which helped me navigate through these challenges and develop critical thinking. The experience equipped me with networking, problem-solving, communication, crisis intervention, and active listening skills.

Current involvement in social responsibility projects

Currently, I am participating in a pilot project called the Social Work Readiness Program, run by the South African Council for Social Service Professions. This project aims to support newly qualified social work graduates in transitioning smoothly into the workforce, and my role involves being a part-time supervisor. As a supervisor, I provide direct support and supervision to two social work graduates employed at a primary school to enhance their professional development. This role has diversified and broadened my career path, allowing me to contribute to the social work profession's cause and bridge the gap of unemployment among social work graduates.

Advice for students planning to take part in community engagement projects

My advice to students considering community engagement projects is to embrace the opportunity without hesitation. Engaging with communities challenges individuals to develop problem-solving skills and truly understand the essence of promoting social justice in society.

Specific skills I could have learned

I acknowledge that more learning was needed in administrative tasks, such as report writing and monthly reporting on the services offered. These tasks are essential for disseminating information about the community's upliftment efforts and the challenges faced.

Diligent efforts and career milestones

I have diligently worked to build a strong career profile by combining practical experience with further studies. A significant current milestone for me is pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Pretoria, which I am in the process of completing. This doctoral journey is helping me acquire essential research skills and the ability to work independently.