Top performing Wits students were encouraged to complete their degree cum laude regardless of what discipline they were in because it would assure potential employers that they could apply themselves.
Joel Chimhanda from JC Capital told the students at the annual Wits Golden Key corporate breakfast yesterday that it did not matter what they were studying, “we want your brains”.
“We want the best brains applied to solve the biggest problems,” he said.
“The breakfast is a networking event aimed at helping students interact with top corporates, to sit down and talk to people from companies that they might want to work for,” said Sharon Chimhanda president of the Wits Golden Key society. About 70 Golden Key members including committee members attended the event.
“Students get to meet the people who will be reading their CVs so they get an advantage over those who have never met these people,” Sharon said. [pullquote align=”right”]“We look for people who are good in sports, people who are active in their communities, people who are confident.”[/pullquote]
Cikida Gcali (3rd yearBScEng), said that being a Golden Key member had afforded her many opportunities: “I will be going to New York in June for the international scholar laureate which Golden Key is a part of.”
Phetogo Legoabe, (LLM University of Pretoria), also said being a member of the society had benefited her greatly: “I learned how to be responsible and how to work people. I got my first intern job through Golden Key.”
Stephen Gericke, chapter relations officer said that even if students did not get jobs with the corporate partners they could “still apply for scholarships, enhance their CVs through community service and get chances to further your studies abroad”. Through Golden Key, Gericke was awarded a scholarship to further his studies in Music at Cambridge University in the UK.
“We provide opportunities for students but it is up to them to make the best of those opportunities,” Gericke said.
“Through academic excellence, leadership development and community service Golden Key aims to help students to become the full package,” he said.
Beverley Ownhouse, specialist recruiter from Afrizan said they were not just looking for smart students but they were looking for a total package: “We look for people who are good in sports, people who are active in their communities, people who are confident.”
“Our job is to source the best, as a student you have no working experience so we look for whether you were the best student you could have been,” said Ownhouse.
Golden Key is the an internationally recognised honour society that is affiliated with universities in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Bahamas and the United States. Each year 15% of the top university students from all disciplines are invited to join the society.
To become a Golden Key member students generally have to be invited “but if they think they are eligible but they have not been invited students can fill in an eligibility form,” said Gericke
