With 2018 nearing an end, the Honours Marketing Management students are beginning to ponder what their next move will be and where will they be in the coming year. This, coupled with the pressures of academic life, can be emotionally overwhelming for some students. Thus, the Department of Marketing Management arranged an alumni evening on 7 August 2018, where BCom Honours in Marketing Management students had the opportunity to meet and network with alumni from the Department in order to prepare them for their careers that lie ahead. This initiative is aligned with the University of Pretoria’s work readiness focus.

 

The evening started with the Head of the Department for Marketing Management, Prof Yolanda Jordaan, welcoming the alumni panel and thanking them for their willingness to share their experiences with the students. The students dressed in business wear and graced the Engineering Building 1, Exhibition Space with much anticipation and excitement.

 

The panel members consisted of alumni from as recent as 2017 to as far back as 2005 and included Ms Shawné Anderson (Mars Incorporated), Ms Yuvika Singh (FNB), Ms Meagan Mushungwa (Nestle), Mr Tebogo More (Nedbank), Mr Jackie Kruger (Amka), and Ms Talita Myburg (Grey Advertising). All the panel members were excited to share their experiences and journeys with our students. The stories shared covered various life lessons learnt during the honours year, their careers thus far, and their personal lives.  A common theme that emerged from all the panel members, was the influence of the lessons learnt during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies on their careers thus far. Each panel member emphasised the importance of the practical projects incorporated into the curriculum in moulding a well-equipped graduate who will flourish in the work place. Ms Shawné Anderson and Ms Yuvika Singh highlighted the importance of time management in the workplace, and shared how they believe the skills learnt as a student prepared them to manage their time and meet deadlines more effectively in the workplace. Ms Meghan Mushungwa further indicated how the various practicals she undertook throughout her degree honed her skills.

 

Front, from left: Jack Kruger, Talita Myburg, Shawné Anderson, Tebogo More, Yuvika Singh, and Meagan Mushungwa. Back, from left: Mrs Jade Verbeek (lecturer) and Mr Thinkwell Ndhlovu (lecturer)

 

As the evening progressed, the panel members continued sharing their pearls of wisdom. Mr Tebogo More encouraged students to be flexible and embrace change when they start working. He added that they should be principled in the workplace. Mr Jackie Kruger urged students to have a goal, a purpose, be patient and be diligent in the workplace. Ms Talita Myburg, who graduated in 2005, concluded the information sharing session by stressing the importance of a honours degree, especially in building and creating networks. She gave the students some great advice about workplace challenges and how students should not compromise on their dreams and passions, as the pay cheque will come later.

 

After the information sharing session, the panel members had one-on-one sessions with student groups and answered questions. The students were intrigued by the knowledge and insights they received from the panel members, with some indicating that this is what they needed to hear. Ms Roberta Shinners stated: “It was really insightful. It reassured me that, even though you might not have everything figured out right now, with perseverance, a positive attitude and a tiny droplet of luck, you will end up where you belong.” Mr Bob Chidawaya shared his gratitude towards the panel by commenting: “It was very inspirational. I found each story told by the alumni relatable to a degree. They were genuine and open, answering my questions fully and comprehensively.” The alumni panel members also gave positive feedback about the event. The evening concluded when the event organiser, Dr Gené van Heerden, thanked the panel members for taking some time off their busy schedules to share their knowledge.

 

As Fennel Hudson put it: “To cherish and learn from the past, is to enrich our lives” – indeed the lives of the BCom Honours in Marketing Management students have been enriched.

 

The honours class of 2018 and the alumni panel