The University of the Free State (UFS) is celebrating Youth Month by showcasing the positive influence of the institution on career development. As part of this initiative, we are sharing the stories of UFS alumni who are now working at the university.

Akani Baloyi, Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) Intern in the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC), shares her UFS journey:

Q: Year of graduation from the UFS:

A: 2016, 2018, and 2023.

Q: Qualification obtained from the UFS:

A: My first qualification was a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Human Societal Dynamics, my second qualification was a Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Management, and my third qualification was a Master of Disaster Management.

Q: Date of joining the UFS as a staff member:

A: I have had the opportunity of holding multiple positions at the UFS during my postgraduate studies. The first role I took on was in 2019 when I was a Contact Session Assistant in DiMTEC.

Q: Initial job title and current job title:

A: During my master’s studies, I had the opportunity to take on some roles that helped prepare me for the professional world. I worked as a Contact Session Assistant in DiMTEC during the postgraduate diploma and master’s contact sessions, as an Assistant Officer in Student Academic Services, and as a Research Assistant in the Centre for Environmental Management. I am currently employed as a PYEI Intern at UFS-DiMTEC.

Q: How did the UFS prepare you for the professional world?

A: The roles that I took on during my postgraduate studies at the UFS have contributed so much to my personal and professional development. In the role of Contact Session Assistant, I acquired a diverse set of skills, such as strong communication, interacting with the students, understanding their needs, and conveying information clearly. I also learned to listen actively so that I comprehend the students’ concerns, questions, and feedback in order to respond appropriately. I also developed empathy and emotional intelligence, as it is important to understand and respond to the students’ emotions and needs, to ensure that they feel supported and heard. Another important skill that I developed is organisational and time management skills, which are important for managing and handling administrative tasks, and problem-solving skills that have enabled me to address challenges that arose during the sessions.

In my role as an Assistant Officer, I developed strong communication and interpersonal skills through interactions with students and colleagues, and my customer service skills were cultivated by providing support and information to students. I also learned to pay attention to detail and confidentiality, as these skills are important when handling student records.

in the role of Research Assistant, I worked with a diverse group of people on the Summer School Project, a collaboration between the UFS, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and the Technical University of Dresden (Germany). I had the opportunity to be part of a great team of individuals who successfully organised and hosted an online Summer School in 2022 with the theme ‘Monitoring Surface Water Quality: General Framework, Tools and Implementing Disaster Management Aspects in Urban Areas’.

Being a student at the UFS has equipped me with specialised knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and problem-solving skills. By managing multiple responsibilities, I have learned valuable skills such as time management and organisational skills. It also provided me with networking opportunities, which have allowed me the opportunity to build connections with professionals in my field. Being a student at the UFS has facilitated my personal development, as I am now confident in myself and can easily adapt to the everyday challenges of the professional world.

Q: What are your thoughts on transitioning from a UFS alumnus to a staff member?

A: Transitioning from student to staff has been a journey filled with so many feelings. Initially, it was both exciting and scary, as I was uncertain about my new responsibilities and capabilities. However, the familiarity and comfort of the UFS brought ease to this transition. I appreciate the opportunity to continue learning and growing.