​​​​As we kicked off May commemorating Workers' Day, we dedicate this series of articles to our staff and their important contribution to SU. In the interview below, Engelbrecht tells us more about his work.

A night owl, August Engelbrecht can get through his administrative work in the evening so that he can focus on his first love during the day - recruiting prospective engineering students and organising outreach events. When he is not on the road meeting new students or promoting Stellenbosch University (SU), Engelbrecht dabbles in gadgets and antique furniture.

What does your role at SU entail?

For more than 30 years, the Faculty of Engineering had someone responsible for targeted recruitment of prospective engineering undergraduate students. I currently fulfil that role in the Dean's Division. I therefore visit schools in the various provinces, attend career exhibitions, and organise targeted events in major cities.

I collaborate and work closely with SU's Centre for Student Recruitment and Career Advice (CSR), and regularly exchange “best practices" with colleagues from other faculties. I am part of our Faculty's Marketing Committee, and work closely with departments to engage in strategies to reach enrolment goals. These include reaching out to recruit top achievers in mathematics and physical science at schools.

Our Faculty's new first-year enrolment plan aims to recruit more women and students from diverse backgrounds. I'm also involved in support and retention initiatives for first years. My role includes building relationships with stakeholders such as local government departments. I also reach out to engineering companies, offering bursaries and sponsorships.

What does a typical day at work look like?

I'm a night owl – most nights I burn the midnight oil working on administrative tasks I can't complete during the day as I'm the first contact point for walk-ins seeking recruitment advice, or I am assisting colleagues with support of current students. My day at the office starts with emails, phone calls or attending meetings. Since the first semester is the application generation period for the next year's intake, I spend a lot of time planning and organising outreach events and following-up on interest shown in studying engineering. Thereafter I hit the road to visit schools, attend expos or meet with stakeholders.

How did your education or past experiences prepare you for this role? 

My years as a teacher and networks built up over many years prepared me for this role. I also spent three years as manager for student recruitment at CSR. Working closely with other recruitment advisors helped me to understand and advise prospective students and teachers on the different study options available at Maties. I also gained “product knowledge" on how to “sell" engineering through interactions with the Dean and senior staff from departments.

I love reading books on marketing and leadership, and I attend workshops or join webinars to benchmark and keep abreast with latest trends in my field of work. I'm also active on social media to keep pace and to learn from others. Over the years I also attended various management and business-related courses at SU's Business School.

What do you enjoy most about your role and working at SU?

I enjoy being associated with a world-class institution such as SU and I try at every opportunity to expose others to the brand. Over the past two decades, I've built strong relationships with colleagues from different environments. I love interacting with our current students from different backgrounds and engaging with student leaders. The Faculty of Engineering functions like a well-oiled machine. I have access to the Dean and senior staff, who are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise to add value to my work. I regularly invite departmental chairs and other senior lecturers to accompany me on outreach events in other cities.

Tell us something exciting or interesting about yourself that few people would expect?

Most of my colleagues know about my love for elephants, gadgets, and walking. Few are aware that I love collecting and restoring antique furniture as a hobby.

Photographer: Stefan Els