Bloubergrant High School pupils explore diverse career pathways at the Rocking Future Career Expo

Bloubergrant High School pupils recently had the opportunity to explore their options after school when the Rocking Future Career Expo Roadshow visited the school.

The travelling initiative connects pupils with tertiary institutions and career advisors, helping them learn about different study paths, skills development opportunities, and potential career fields as they prepare for life after matric.

During the event, on Friday, March 6, pupils attended an interactive presentation and were able to engage directly with representatives from a variety of private tertiary institutions.

The expo aims to give pupils practical information about further education and training, particularly for those who may feel uncertain about their next steps after leaving school.

Founder of the Rocking Future Career Expo, Kay Cheytanov, said the initiative began more than two decades ago after she had an idea to combine her passion for music with career guidance for young people.

“As a professional musician at the time in 2001, I’d had enough of singing all over the country in pubs and clubs. I needed a new audience, and the inspiration struck one day while driving in my car,” she said.

Ms Cheytanov said that a radio advert for a computer college inspired her to take a motivational performance into schools, introducing pupils to future study opportunities.

“I realised that if I offered schools a motivational show where I would sing and tell my story and combine it with future study options, I would be able to keep singing and help learners discover different options,” she said.

What started with visits to just 25 schools has grown into a nationwide initiative that now reaches around 240 schools annually and engages approximately 35 000 matric pupils before the end of May.

Ms Cheytanov said the expos aim to help pupils understand that success does not always follow a single path.

“The message I would like them to take away is that success does not have a straight line,” she said. “Life will take you on a path of discovery, and if you are a lifelong learner, you will always win.”

To reach pupils who cannot attend the expos in person, the organisation also created Swiwel, an online virtual career expo platform launched during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Ms Cheytanov, the platform allows pupils from Grades 8 to 12 across the country to explore career options, connect with more than 40 tertiary institutions, and complete free personality and career assessments online.

Bloubergrant High School’s deputy principal, Ashley Felix, said the school welcomed the opportunity to host the expo.

“The expo was an enlightening experience,” he said.

Mr Felix said that while the programme mainly targets Grade 12 pupils, other pupils could also benefit from the information shared.

“It enhances the school's value and broadens pupils' understanding of tertiary education and the skills required for a successful career,” he said.

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