Support Services

Grade 11 and 12 learners are confronted with various career options. This is indeed a privilege, but the associated uncertainty may overwhelm learners. The Division for Student Recruitment, therefore, offers subject, as well as career counselling assessments to support all prospective students in making realistic choices in terms of tertiary programmes and career options. The latter includes a 4-hour psychometric assessment of personality, aptitude, and interests, a 1-hour individual feedback session, and a report of the results and recommendations.
 
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What is a career counselling assessment?

The purpose of the career counselling assessment process is to support the learner in the discovery and exploration of potential study and career opportunities. The assessment process is an integrated and dynamic decision-making approach, aimed at integrating the learner’s aptitude, personality and their potential vocational interests to facilitate their journey into promising future vocations.

Why is career counselling important?

It remains your responsibility and privilege to make the final decision regarding career options. The career counselling process guides you to develop career options based on your aptitude, interests, personality, and skills. Your career decisions will dramatically impact your lifestyle and your occupation will determine where you live, your income, your work hours, your travels, job security, your choice of work associates and friends, and how you spend your leisure time.

How do I know whether I need a career counselling assessment?

You can book an assessment if you are in Grade 11 or 12 and you have no idea which career choice to make; if you have several possible options but struggle to make the final decision or, conversely, if you believe that your subject choices or marks offer you few options.

What if I’ve done a career assessment in the past (with someone else or at the SU) but I am still uncertain about my career choice?

You are welcome to book a discussion session with one of our psychologists. We use your previous assessment results, as well as your latest academic results to look at specific program options. It is thus not necessary to redo a career assessment. During this discussion, we’d love to hear about your job shadowing experiences and the relevant information that you’ve gathered regarding possible careers so far. Take note that the discussion sessions are only available to learners who’ve done a CAREER assessment and not only a subject choice assessment.

How does subject choice guidance fit into the career decision-making process?

There are various factors that play a role in the process of making a successful career choice. One of the first considerations is a realistic and informed subject choice for grades 10 to 12. A learner’s subject choice can have significant implications in terms of a future career. Often, there is lack of understanding regarding the important considerations that contribute to making the correct subject choices. In order to support learners in their subject choice process, Stellenbosch University’s Division for Student Recruitment offers professional subject choice guidance to grade 9 learners. Both subject choice and career counselling assessments can be done at our office in Stellenbosch or online.

Is it worthwhile doing job shadowing?

Job shadowing ultimately forms part of the career guidance process and fulfils a dual purpose. It gives you a more thorough understanding of the average day of a specific job and it also enables you to determine more effectively whether you would fit into such a career. If it is not possible to “job shadow”, try to arrange an interview with someone in your chosen field to gather as much information as possible about the specific career.

Where can I get more information about Stellenbosch University’s program options?

You are welcome to book a free advisory session with one of our advisors. They can assist you with the application process and they will be able to provide you with more information regarding our academic programs. Email csr@sun.ac.za to make a booking.

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