2nd Employability Workshop at the SA-GER CDR

On June 18, 19 and 20, 2022 the South African-German Centre for Development Research hosted a workshop on Employability, particularly focusing on the field of International Development Cooperation. The workshop was organized by Kenechukuwu Ikebuaku, one of the Centre's current PhD scholarshipholders, supported by DAAD funds via the Centre’s DAAD lecturer Ruth Knoblich.

More than 70 participants from all three cooperating partner institutes under the roof of the Centre joined for the first part of the workshop. In a digital session, four alumni of the Centre talked about their experiences within their particular area of work, providing hands-on-information about how to access the job market. Kenechukuwu Ikebuaku provided an introductory session, elaborating on some more general aspects of international development as a field of work. Kwezi Jere continued thereafter with more specific assets needed to perform well within this sector. After that, Christopher Katete talked about career opportunities in the UN, particularly providing insights into working with the UN World Food Programme. Faustine Wabwire then rounded the whole day by reflecting on ‘Global Development’ and on what this means for everyone working in this field while sharing her own expertise and experience, and getting into discussions with the participants.
During the following two days, 30 persons in total were invited to receive individual feedback on their personal application documents. Students and alumni happily engaged in short term meetings in which they were able to discuss particularly their CVs and digital appearances e.g. LinkedIn profiles.
The workshop had been a huge success. Participants provided most positive feedback. They particularly enjoyed the inspiring presentations and networking opportunities with the facilitators – all Centre alumni – bringing in a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Those who were able to book into one of the individual sessions in the second part of the workshop highly appreciated the opportunity of receiving high expertise feedback.