The participation of youth in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) space has been emphasised in assisting South Africa and the rest of Africa to tackle challenges in food security, information and communication technology (ICT), energy production, and trade (Blom et al., 2016). Participation of youth in the STEM space is often hindered by curriculum challenges at the school level, the absence of required knowledge and information needed to explore available options, opportunities, and the lack of necessary mentorships. Often than not, most young learners who grow up in rural communities are limited to the career options that they see in their immediate environments, and this often limits their thinking and aspirations. True to this assertion are the famous words of Karl Max who said, ‘Man is the product of his environment, and of conditions; he cannot therefore be free in the choice of his profession...’ This therefore necessitated the need to expose young people to the various career options in STEM and conservation as the region is well known for wildlife conservation. The University of Pretoria (UP) Future Africa Research Chair on People, Health and Places (One Health) recognises the need to expose youth to such opportunities from a young age and collaborates with other stakeholders such as Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases (DVTD) and the Hans Hoheisen Wildlife Research Station within UP that share this passion.

The Timbavati Foundation, in collaboration with Global Conservation Change, created the Careers in Conservation Expo and Fun Day and invited the UP Future Africa Research Chair and UP collaborators to participate. The 2022 instalment of the career day was themed ‘The path to success is community’ and benefited over 780 learners from 13 different schools in Acornhoek and Hluvukani areas near the Kruger National Park. The activities and arrangements of the day were made possible by different members of the community, businesspeople, and various institutions that donated resources and volunteered skills. Professionals that were present included the K9 dog unit, veterinary scientists, field technicians and rangers, ecologists, and hospitality experts.

This was indeed a big learning opportunity for both the learners and their teachers. Colleagues from UP Future Africa Institute and the DVTD presented and shared materials on career and study opportunities in health, veterinary, and zoological sciences. In his keynote address, Mr Tedson Nkoana, from Future Africa Institute, emphasised the importance of exposing oneself to different communities and settings that can serve as support systems for achieving personal and collective goals. Dr Sunday Ochai and Mr Dean Herbig from DTVD gave learners important insight about veterinary sciences and how to enrol into the programme, options for undergraduate and postgraduate funding, and various opportunities in the space. This was quite an eye-opener to the learners as most of them were not aware of the responsibilities of a veterinarian in the community. This was followed by a brief awareness session for the teachers where they were exposed to what zoonoses were and the common zoonotic diseases that were endemic in that region. They were also given educational material on zoonotic diseases to create awareness at their schools.

It is often said that education is the key to success but what is even more important is knowing and having the right key for the lock. The event exposed and educated youth from rural and disadvantaged settings to opportunities that await them in the future. Community engagement involving different stakeholders is key to achieving a prosperous and equitable society. It is therefore important to organise events that bring together different career experts to stimulate the minds of young people to inspire them to achieve their dreams.

Reference

Blom, A, Lan, G & Adil, M. 2016. Sub-Saharan African Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Research: A Decade of Development. Washington: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank.