YAP was launched in July 2021, with its first "World of Work" week presented virtually by a host of alumni and other experts, among them Santie Botha, independent non-executive chair at Capitec, Cathy Sims, Executive Director of the South African Graduate Employers Association and Wim Delva, founder and Director of start-up data company Wimmy.
The aim? To support young Maties, under the age of 35, to progress in their chosen careers.
"We all know from experience that establishing a career path can sometimes feel like an uphill battle — if only you were connected to the right people in the right places to guide you on your journey to success. A degree is only the start of a young graduate’s career path, so we would like to be an access partner and enable graduates to thrive," says Bruns.
"YAP gives young alumni the opportunity to tap into our global Maties network, thereby offering them a way to expand their connections beyond campus. Through YAP we aim to create career development and networking opportunities.
"If you’re under the age of 35, a recent graduate of Stellenbosch University, in an internship, unemployed, in your first job, scouting for your second, or looking for new and exciting opportunities to network and build your career, then the Young Alumni Programme is definitely for you. There’s no reason to go it alone," Bruns adds.
How do you become part of this network?
Maties Connect is an exclusive SU alumni peer-to-peer networking platform. Here you can connect with fellow Maties, find new career opportunities, promote your business, gain new business contacts, and get instant updates on the latest alumni events and networking opportunities.
When you first left university, didn’t you wish for a space that could give you all the Adulting 101 information you’d need? YAP's "How-To…?" video series shares information on any and all topics related to being a young working adult or postgraduate student. Each month an alumnus will give tips and tricks on how to grow professionally, financially, and personally. Click here for the latest video.
In a fast-paced, highly competitive world, it is important to constantly update yourself on the trajectory of your industry. The World of Work Week is a "town-hall" styled career discourse event where young alumni can ask experts and industry pioneers questions, benefit from their opinions, and challenge the current trajectory of the world of work. Ultimately, these speakers and experts will assist young Maties in assessing their current career path and help them to build a path for career and personal success.
Don’t miss out — provisional dates for the World of Work Week in 2022 have already been set — diarise 9 to 12 May (for postgraduate students) and 15 to 18 August (for working professionals). For more information, please visit www.matiesalumni.com.