Graduand Career Services
The Graduand Career Services team is dedicated to helping you take the next step toward a successful future. We connect students with leading employers, creating valuable opportunities for you to access internships while studying, engage with graduate recruiters, and discover promising career pathways.
Whether exploring your options, preparing for the job market, or seeking practical guidance, we support you at every step, ensuring you graduate with confidence and a clear plan for your career.
Contact us
Phone: +27 21 808 3568
E-mail: [email protected]
Physical address
37 Victoria Street
Stellenbosch
Our Work
We support students in navigating the often-tricky transition from university to the workplace by helping you to pave your career path from your first day as a student. Through us, you can access various services and learn new skills like personalised CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, how to develop your personal brand, or optimise your LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters.
Through our Gradlinc portal, you can easily search for jobs, apply for vacancies, snag internships and even part-time jobs! We also host an annual Careers Fair where we connect students to employers to access internship and job opportunities by engaging with employers at the in-person fair. Build your professional future with us and start your career journey on the right foot.
Crafting your CV and cover letter
Your CV and cover letter are vital tools for capturing the attention of potential employers. Through our CV and cover letter work sessions, you’ll learn how to write and design a professional, high-quality documents that will attract the attention of prospective employers and clinch you an interview.
Preparing for interviews
We provide sessions to help you prepare for various interview formats. Learn how to present yourself professionally and address challenging questions, as well as how to prepare and conduct competency interviews and online interviews,
Building your brand
Employers often use platforms such as LinkedIn and other social media channels to find candidates. We’ll help you develop a compelling online profile to enhance your visibility and ensure your brand aligns with your career aspirations.
Optimise your LinkedIn profile
Being visible on social media and online recruitment portals is important. The Unit has a dedicated expert who will provide you with valuable information and tips. Students will learn how to create, expand and build a strong LinkedIn profile to connect and entice recruiters locally and abroad.
Have a look below at some additional information on honing your interview skills or updating your CV and cover letter. You will also find other resources to assist you to better equip yourself for your first steps into the world of work.
- Sources of career-related information
- Graduate Placement and Recruitment Programme (GRP)
- Graduate Recruitment Programme Booklet 2024
- Interview guidelines
- Informational interviewing guidelines
- Enhance your LinkedIn profile
- Social media brand profile
- GRADNext Magazine
- Careers in Mathematics
- To listen to the audio files, click here
- To participate in the quiz, click here
Examples of cover letters
CV example
Guides
Online career portal
Gradlinc is a new and improved jobs portal that will enhance your career development journey. This cutting-edge and locally developed recruitment and advertising platform promises to enhance your career development journey by providing you with more opportunities to kick-start your career, including the sought-after benefit of doing your mock interviews online. The platform has been designed specifically to connect you, talented student or alumnus, with employers who are seeking for your skills and potential. Whether you are looking for full-time employment or part-time opportunities, Gradlinc is your go-to buddy.
If you have questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to Gradlinc at [email protected] or call them at 021 1371 744. You can also visit their website at www.gradlinc.co.za and further connect on LinkedIn. We believe that Gradlinc will be a great aid to your career development journey!
Career hub
Information about employers, careers, higher education institutions, and self-help job-seeking skills is available at the Resource Centre during office hours. This information includes books, encyclopaedias, files with career-related information, networking, and information about other tertiary institutions in South Africa.
A computerised careers-based programme called the Pace Careers Centre and other information about companies can be accessed from our computers. The information at the Resource Centre provides answers to the following questions: What career opportunities are there for my course? What is the most effective job-seeking strategy? Where can I find work? Where did previous Maties find jobs? What are the advantages of networking, and how do I develop this skill? When and how do I manage my career? What other qualifications will make me more marketable? What are employers looking for?
10 Minutes With has exceptionally helpful resources students can use to improve their employment-seeking skills. A range of topics are covered by advisors who have worked at some of the world's top brand name employers, giving valuable insights in their presentations about the world of work. Students can access recorded interviews 24/7 in the comfort of their own homes.
Office hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-16:30. You do not need an appointment to visit the Resource Centre.
Other Resources Available: MatiesCareers - Please take note: To sign up, use your Stellenbosch University login details.
Events and networking opportunities
We host regular career events to connect you with potential employers. So look out for updates, including information about our in-person and virtual career fairs.
Digital Career Fair
We at the Unit for Graduand Career Services (Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University) are thrilled to welcome you to our upcoming career fairs this August.
The General Career Fair brings together a diverse range of companies and industry leaders eager to engage with talented SU students like you. The Accounting Career Fair targets all our accounting students, while the Engineering Career Fair is focused on opportunities for our engineering students.
These three career fairs are your best opportunity to network with the many graduate employers who cannot wait to meet you. This is the perfect opportunity to ask your burning questions about the world of work, showcase your skills, and build a relationship that can support your future professional journey. We encourage you to get curious and make the most of the opportunity. Career fairs help you uncover possibilities, meet people and make connections, and take active steps toward your career aspirations.
Browse our digital brochure for full details about the exhibitors and when they will be here. There are also other exhibitors who, while not present on the day, are still highly interested in recruiting SU graduates. Transitioning from studying to working is a thrilling next step. We would like to turn the uncertainty of what comes next after graduation into excitement as you get ready to market and sell your experience, qualifications, and the skills you acquired during your time at university.
The connections you make with prospective employers exhibiting at career fairs can lead to internships, job offers, or invaluable insights to guide the next steps on your unique career path. We suggest you research your target companies and prepare custom questions to show that you take the employment process seriously.
Thank you for attending the career fairs. We hope these engagements will empower students to move forward with purpose and find their career calling.
Please download our brochures below for more information.
General Career Fair
Download part 1 or scan here
Download part 2 or scan here
UGCS offers students sessions on CV writing, cover letters and interview skills so they can be better prepared for entering the world of work. Sessions are offered in bigger manageable groups of 15 to 30, in smaller groups of five for closer engagement, and when the need arises, individually. Should you wish to enrol for sessions, please register when we send out the invitations.
To ensure a more direct and individualised approach in the small group sessions and one-on-ones, students are urged to e-mail their draft CVs or Cover Letters at least three days before the session so that the facilitator can adapt the session to the personal needs of the attendees.
Please email your draft CV to Thobeka Msi at [email protected]
Course fees and payment procedure: Although there is no cost involved for these work sessions, it is of absolute importance that students must register for the respective work session(s) at the Unit for Graduand Career Services, 43 Victoria Street. Should you require more information about the session, please contact [email protected]
- Will you find me a job?
- I am a first-year student. May I use the services of the Unit for Graduand Career Services?
- I am interested in making an appointment to develop my CV. How do I do this and what would I need?
- I have an interview coming up and would like to talk to someone about how I can prepare for the interview.
- Where and when are your work sessions presented?
- Do you charge a fee for your services?
- Are your workshops open for anyone?
- Should I take my CV with me to the career fairs?
- I want to change the course of my studies and need to speak to someone.
- I graduated last year and now need some career advice. Could you help?
- Are your workshops open for anyone?
- I am looking for part-time or vacation work. Where should I start looking?
- I need to speak to an academic counsellor and want to make an appointment.
No. We are not a placement or recruitment agency, but we help students prepare effectively for the job-seeking process. We also organise network opportunities with companies and manage the Gradlinc portal where companies place job advertisements. We further send out targeted e-mails with a list of vacancies to students.
Yes. Although career services are associated, with services to final-year students to prepare for the world of work, it is important to start working on your career goals and job-seeking skills from your first year. We advise our first-year students to attend the work sessions we offer.
Register for our work sessions when we send out invitations. If you need additional assistance, contact Thobeka Msi at [email protected] to book an individual session. Send her a copy of your latest CV and bring along a printed copy on the day of your appointment.
Please send an email to [email protected] and request the type of support you need. One of our career guidance practitioners will get back to you a.s.a.p. This should however not be a last-minute decision – give yourself enough time to prepare. Should you need additional information, contact Thobeka Msi at [email protected].
All our work sessions are presented during lunchtime on scheduled dates throughout the year. Sessions are held at the Careers Office, 43 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch. We also offer workshops on request — any student society, cluster, department or faculty can request a workshop. Please contact Thobeka Msi at [email protected] with your requests.
Our services are free.
Our workshops are available only to students currently studying at SU.
It is always advisable to take a few copies of your CV to any career fair. If a company representative shows interest in following up with you, you may ask if they would like a copy of your CV.
Contact your faculty officer secretary in Admin A regarding your concerns and needs. You can also contact the CSCD situated at 43 Victoria Street on 021-808 4707 to make an appointment to see a student counsellor.
The Student Recruitment/Prospective Students Office offers career advice and counselling to alumni and prospective students wishing to further their studies. Visit them here for more details.
Our workshops are available only to students currently studying at SU.
Contact 021 808 4707 or visit the Centre at 37 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch, to make an appointment.
If you are an employer, you can recruit and connect with Stellenbosch University (SU) students through various events, activities and platforms. These include participating in university career fairs, conducting on-campus recruitment interviews and assessments, and advertising opportunities in our Graduate Recruitment Programme Booklet.
During 2026 we will host the following Career Fairs:
- 3 August: General Career Fair (all faculties, in marquee tents on the Rooiplein 09:00 – 15:00)
- 5 August: Accounting Career Fair (Accounting students pursuing SAICA, SAIPA and/or CIMA registration, same venue as above)
- 6 August: Engineering Career Fair (Engineering students, Academia Recreational Hall, 09:00 – 15:00)
If companies wish to participate in any activities or events, contact the Unit at 021 808 3568 or e-mail [email protected] . Companies can also register on Gradlinc to advertise job vacancies, connect with students, and register for events.
Employers can book offices with us where they can interview students.
A bigger room is available where written assessments can be conducted.
We publish a Graduate Recruitment booklet in which employers can place a full-page advertisement. Employers who participate in the career fairs will also have an entry in the booklet. This is an old booklet – please replace with updated booklet.
FAQ's
- Could you send me a list of all the top students or a list of students in a specific degree course or faculty?
- Our company has a vacancy that needs to be filled immediately. Can we advertise the position to your graduates?
- Our company has started a graduate programme and would like to advertise this to students who graduate at the end of the year. Is this possible?
- What do you offer employers?
By law, we are not permitted to disclose any student contact details and therefore cannot provide you with any student information. You are welcome to register on Grandlinc and choose one of their recruitment packages to get your opportunities to our students.
We do not keep a database of students who have already graduated. Once students graduate, their university e-mail addresses become invalid and they cannot be contacted. We suggest that the vacancy be advertised on Gradlinc, where interested graduates can see it.
We can advertise your programme to enrolled students by means of a mailshot. All you have to do is supply us with content for an e-mail (no attachments and the content should not exceed 100 KB), which we will forward to our students. A fee is payable for this service. Please send your requests to [email protected].
We offer employers office space to conduct interviews with our students or rooms where written assessments could be conducted. In addition, employers could advertise in our Graduate Recruitment booklet and register to access our careers portal, Gradlinc.