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Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia | www.nam.welwitschia.org 1

Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia

Nam Career Guide2017

Free of charge

Welwitschia

Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia | www.nam.welwitschia.orgNam Career Guide2 3

Dear reader,

we are happy to present the first issue of the Nam Career Guide by Welwitschia — Education

Initiative for Namibia to you. This guide aims at providing learners with tools to help them

find their study course after school, shall support those who found their perfect study

course already but are struggling with financial issues and presents options to students in

order to improve not only their CV but also their skills in general.

This guide will help you find opportunities for your future career and support you on

your route from Grade 12 up to the point he landed his dream job. There are, besides a

study course, many important factors that influence the chances of getting employed

after graduating. These factors are often unknown but appreciated by companies: among

these are internships and other practical experience but also engagement in societal or-

ganisations and community service.

On top of each chapter, you see a picture of Jeffrey in one of his career steps. We followed

him on his way from Grade 12 up to his dream job and would like to do the same with you.

Take this guide and use it as a source of information and inspiration. If you have any ques-

tions, do not hesitate to contact the team of Welwitschia via e-mail ([email protected])

or via our Facebook platform Nam Career Service (www.facebook.com/NamCareerService).

The Welwitschia team wishes you good luck and success!

The publication of Nam Career Guide was substantially supported by Deutsch-Namibische

Gesellschaft / German-Namibian Society (www.dngev.de).

Contents

1 Preconditions for Your dream job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.1 Your Career at a Tertiary Institution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1.2 Internships and Practical Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1.3 Scholarships and Bursaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1.4 Other Qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2 Kinds of Tertiary Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.1 Institute of Bankers (IoB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.2 Institute of Open Learning (IOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.3 International University of Management (IUM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.4 Lingua International Training College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.5 Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2.6 Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2.7 University of Namibia (UNAM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2.8 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

2.9 Other Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3 Studying Abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

4 Finding Your Dream Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

4.1 Where to Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

4.2 The Route to the First Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.3 Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

4.4 Your Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4.5 The Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.6 Becoming an Entrepreneur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

5 Engagement in Societal Organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

5.1 Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29


1 Preconditions for Your dream job

Let’s start with our tour to your first job! We must now get ready to find out what you

want to study. Nam Career Guide will prepare you with all necessary information so that

nothing can stop you. The preparation for your dream job already begins at school. With

good grades there, doors are open for you. As soon as you have found your study course

it is up to you how successful you will be later on. Try to set your goals before going to the

first class. Ask questions like “What do I want to achieve in my first year?”, “Where do I

see myself in three years after graduating?”, “In which job do I see myself afterwards?”.

Asking such questions will help you strive for your goals and do whatever you can to

achieve them, for example via extracurricular events or engagement in an organisation.

In order to do so, you should put your gained theoretical experience into practice already

when you are going to classes, be it via an internship during the holidays or a part-time

job that relates to your study course.

This chapter will help you choose the best study course and institution for your needs and

preferences and show you.

1.1 Your Career at a Tertiary Institution

We begin with the most difficult part in the first chapter: Your career at a tertiary in-

stitution. In order to find the perfect study course for you, you should be aware of your

strengths and weaknesses: Think about what you like, which hobbies you have and for

what you have a passion. No matter what your parents, friends or relatives say, you

should do what you are longing for: If it is Arts, you should go into this direction, if you

like working with numbers, you should check whether you could study Mathematics. The

opinions of the people around you are important but you are the one who has to do the

studies and work in this industry afterwards. Studying a subject that is not your passion

will have a negative effect on your grades, your motivation and your general well-being.

You should do what you are comfortable with and not what other people expect from you.

So-called blue-collar courses, e.g. plumber, artisan or boilermaker, might seem unpopular

to you and you think you cannot earn enough money to sustain your preferred style of

living. This is not true! If you feel like you are a person that likes doing practical things,

then a vocational course is probably the right thing for you and will provide you with

many benefits and advantages. It depends on you whether you will earn enough money

after graduation or not. This is why we recommend to think thoroughly about which inter-

ests you have and to follow them.

Most study courses usually require a certain point average of Grade 10 or, mostly, 12.

If you do not reach this amount of points, you do not meet the requirements. However,

there is no need to lose hope! There are two great possibilities to improve your points.

First, you can attend courses at the Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) (see

Chapter 2.5) or enrol at The University Centre for Studies in Namibia (TUCSIN). Both offer

courses to improve your points. The latter also awards scholarships to Namibian students.

Learn more about TUCSIN at www.tucsin.org/index.php/en. The closing date is 31 August

of each year.

As soon as you know in which direction you would like to go, you should check which insti-

tution has to offer a course in your field. If you have decided on a course that is available

at more than one institution, you should take the chance and apply for all of them in order

to increase the probability of being admitted.


If you consider studying abroad, you should be aware that it is a long and sometimes diffi-

cult process until you get there (see Chapter 3). However, it might happen that there is no

institution in Namibia that offers your course. In this case, you should do some research

on institutions in other countries.

Upon your acceptance to an institution, it is important to put your daily focus on your

studies. During the semester you should invest the majority of your time on studying and

less on parties and clubs, not discounting the importance of a social life of course and use

the semester holidays to gain some practical experience. Only good grades and a stable

technical background will make sure to find a job after graduating.

1.2 Internships and Practical Experiences

Putting theory into practice while you still attend classes is very important. It does not

only help you understand the theoretical content better but also to deepen your knowl-

edge. Further, you have first contacts in the industry and if you do well during your in-

ternship, the manager of the company will surely be happy if you apply for a job after

graduating. In case you did not like the company or your tasks in the department you did

the internship at, then you at least learnt what you do not want to do after graduating

and you can apply to our other fields in the future.

However, doing an internship usually goes in line with costs. Many internships are unpaid,

some only cover your transport costs. Nonetheless, we highly recommend doing intern-

ships as they have future returns. It might be an investment today but you will learn not

only practically but also improve your personality and soft skills. Having an internship on

your CV will definitely make a good impression in future applications as it shows that you

are no greenhorn but know already what how it is like to work in a professional environ-

ment. After completing the internship, you should also ask the HR manager to give you a

certificate indicating your tasks and how you performed. If you attach this certificate to

future applications, the company can easily see and understand your way of working and

does not only need to solely on your own statements in your cover letter.

Finding an internship is, unfortunately, rather difficult in Namibia. Even though you might

have to do an internship in order to finish your studies, many companies are not aware

of that. The team of Nam Career Service contacts as many companies as possible in

order to find internships for students. You find all of them in the “Notes” section of our

Facebook page. However, we do not recommend relying only on this service but also taking

self-initiative. Just send an e-mail to a company that is in your field and ask whether they

offer internships. If they do, submit your application documents to them.

1.3 Scholarships and Bursaries

If you have problems with funding your studies, do not feel discouraged: There are plenty

of opportunities out there! However, it is difficult to find them. If you do not buy the

newspaper daily or cannot do research on the internet, you will find it hard to find any

offers. The team of Nam Career Service is constantly doing research and publishes the

offers on the Facebook page. There exist three types of financial assistance from third

parties:

a) Loans: The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) offers an opportunity

to access a loan, part of which can be converted into a bursary depending on your end-

of-year results.

b) Scholarships: A wide range of companies, organisations and institutions from Namibia

and overseas offer scholarships which are awarded on the basis of your academic, athletic

and other achievements. Not all scholarships cover all your costs, some only cover your

tuition fees or your books. The amount of a scholarship does not need to be paid back.

c) Bursaries are awarded to needy learners and students. An offered bursary goes in line

with certain requirements, such as a specific study course, that you must meet in order to

be eligible to apply. Bursaries, like scholarships, sometimes do not cover all your costs but

they do not need to be paid back as well.

We at Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia offer our own scholarship scheme

as well. Make sure to check our website and Facebook page towards the end of the year.

If you see an opportunity whose requirements you meet, make sure to apply early and do

not wait until the day of the deadline. You should double-check all application forms for

any mistakes and revise your application documents with our Application Guide on our

website.


If you would like to study abroad, you should check your favourite institution’s financial

department. Most universities all around the world have their own scholarship or bursary

schemes (see Chapter 3).

1.4 Other Qualifications

It is not only the skills that you learn at school that are important but also what you

learn outside of class. It is important to make yourself different to your fellow students

in order to increase the chance to find your dream job. It is not enough to only do what

your professor or teacher says but you have to do extra work in order to improve yourself.

These additional activities range from soft skills, foreign languages up to extracurricular

activities. There are many different kinds of ways in which you can boost your CV and

improve your personal skills.

1.4.1 Soft Skills

Social and communicative skills are nowadays key qualifications as they are preconditions

for the achievement of your career goals. These are examples for soft skills:

— Team work

— Personality and leadership potential

— Analytical skills

— Presentation skills

— Rhetoric abilities

Internships (Chapter 1.2) and extracurricular activities (Chapter 1.4.4) will help you

develop these skills and to improve them. You find soft skill courses at various educational

institutions in Namibia as well. It is worth to do thorough research on your institution’s

website!

1.4.2 Foreign Languages

Learning foreign languages is specifically important in multinational companies which

operate not only in Namibia but in other countries as well. Being able to speak another

language that is not one of the spoken ones in Namibia will impress the HR manager for

sure. It will be a great advantage for you and your goals to speak in Portuguese with an

Angolan business partner or in Silozi with a partner from Zambia. It further shows your

intercultural understanding and at least on a small scale, that you are interested in other

cultures as well as that you are open to new people.

There are several opportunities to learn foreign languages in Namibia. Here is a small

selection of them:

Goethe-Institut Namibia1–5 Fidel Castro St, Windhoek Fon (061) 225700 [email protected]> http://bit.ly/1PKPmJV

German

Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre118 Robert Mugabe Avenue, Windhoek Fon (061) 387330 > http://bit.ly/1FBQEir

French

Lingua International Training College8058 Schweitzer Street, Windhoek Fon (061) 301032/4/5 [email protected]> http://bit.ly/1IYEaVT

Afrikaans / Damara/Nama / French /German / Oshiwambo / Otjiherero Portuguese / Spanish

NUST> http://bit.ly/1SADTeG

French / German / Portuguese / Spanish

UNAM> http://bit.ly/1esykzt

Afrikaans / Arabic / Chinese / French / German / Italian / Khoekhoegowab / Kishwahili / Oshikwanyama / Oshindonga / Otjiherero / Portuguese / Russian / Spanish / Silozi


1.4.3 Computer Skills

In most of the jobs nowadays, one needs certain computer skills at least in the Microsoft

Office softwares Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Being able to work with them effectively

and efficiently and proving it with a certificate will be a great plus to your application.

It is one thing to write a text on Word, but another thing to really format a document.

For presentations it is always useful to really know how to work with PowerPoint. Even

doing effective research on the internet is something that must be learned so that one

really finds what one is looking for. We therefore highly recommend attending computer

courses as IT skills are too crucial today to neglect them.

1.4.4 Extracurricular Activities

Engagement in student organisations, community service, sport or political societies gives

an impression of your social competence of a future employee. Each student should hence

consider getting involved in such organisations and even take over a leading role there

(see more about societal organisations in Chapter 5). Outstanding achievements and per-

sonal success outside the classroom give proof of a person’s assertiveness. 2 Kinds of Tertiary Institutions

Jeffrey has found several flyers and booklets from tertiary institutions but he is unsure

which one is the right one for him. There are various tertiary institutions in Namibia.

Depending on your skills and interests, you should choose the one that makes the best

impression to you and meets your expectations to the highest degree. No matter what

your friends, parents or relatives say, you should do what you like most. If you want to

become a plumber, go for it! If you want to work in a bank, follow this path! You are the

one who needs to work after having finished your studies, so you should like what you do.

Here is now a list of various tertiary institutions and a brief summary of what they have

to offer. They are all accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and hence

allow access to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF). As there are 34

institutions accredited by NQA, we can only cover a few of them in details. We list the

other institutions at the end of this chapter.


2.3 International University of Management (IUM)

The IUM, since 2002 accredited as an university, offers various kinds of courses in the

manage ment sector. The lecturers bring in experience from the industry and the university

cooperates with the Association of Business Executives in the UK, the Asia e University in

Malaysia and the Shareworld Open University of Malawi. > www.ium.edu.na

IUM offers courses in the following fields on both undergraduate and postgraduate level:

— Faculty of Humanities, HIV, AIDS & Sustainable Development

— Faculty of IT & Systems Management

— Faculty of Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development

— Faculty of Strategic Management & Business Administration

— Faculty of Tourism, Travel, Hospitality & Events Management

2.4 Lingua International Training College

Established in 2001, Lingua International Training College offers language training, other

educational training and consultancy services. Besides undergraduate courses, short

courses can be attended. > www.collegelingua.com

The following departments offer courses on Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level:

— Business & Management

— Information Technology

— Travel & Tourism

— Languages (see Chapter 1.4.2)

2.5 Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL)

NAMCOL, established in 1994, provides learning opportunities for adults and out-of-

school youth. It especially helps you improve your points if you do not have enough to go

to a tertiary institution or if you failed Grade 10 or 12. > www.namcol.edu.na

2.1 Institute of Bankers (IoB)

The IoB was established in 1988 as an institution covering the banking and financial

service industry in Namibia. If you are interested in financial topics, then this institution is

the right one for you. After completing the first year, you will be awarded with a certificate

and after the second year with a diploma. You will receive an Advanced Diploma in Bank-

ing, Finance and Credit after having completed the third year. IoB does not have various

faculties but offers a range of modules in each semester. > www.iobnam.com

2.2 Institute of Open Learning (IOL)

IOL is a distance education institute, which offers you an opportunity to study in various

academic fields and offers courses on their Business School as well as in IT on distance

mode. IOL has offices in Windhoek, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Ongwediva, Rundu and

Walvis Bay. > www.iol.na

This is the list of courses offered by IOL:

Academic — Grade 12— Diploma in Pre-Primary Education— Advanced Certificate in Secondary

Education— Advanced Certificate in Senior-

Primary Education

Business School — In cooperation with IUM (see Chapter 2.3)

— In cooperation with Institute for Certified Bookkeepers

Information Technology — International Computer Driving License

— Microsoft E-Training Package— Online Courses


These are NAMCOL’s programmes for Secondary Education:

Secondary Education Intended for learners who have been unable to gain admission to the formal education system for Grade 10 (JSC) or Grade 12 (NSSC). It is open to both out-of-school youth and adults.

Grade 10 (JSC) Courses in various subjects are offered in order to improve your points

Grade 12 (JSC) Courses in various subjects are offered in order to improve your points

NAMCOL further offers professional and vocational programmes in, amongst others, Edu-

cation for Development, Local Government Studies, Youth Development Work or the Inter-

national Computer Driving License.

Besides its courses, you can find audio and video lessons for different subjects on their

website which will help you understand the taught content better.

2.6 Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)

NUST, formerly Polytechnic of Namibia, offers technology-oriented career and profes-

sional education and training, applied research and service. Established in 1994, with

more than 12,000 students and seven schools, it is the second biggest tertiary institution

in Namibia. NUST’s Department of Student Services provides students with a range of

cultural and extracurricular activities. NUST is an institution where practical modules are

included in the curriculum, i.e. you put the theory learnt in the classroom into practice in

specific courses. > www.nust.na

You can study at the following schools on both undergraduate and postgraduate level:

— Business — Human Sciences

— Computing & Informatics — Management Sciences

— Engineering — Natural Resources & Spatial Sciences

— Health & Applied Science

Besides its schools, several centres are available to support students with capacity

building, internships or business support:

— Centre for Cooperative Education — Materials Testing Institute

— Centre for Enterprise Development — Namibia Business Innovation Centre

— Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning — Namibia Energy Institute

— Centre for Teaching & Learning — Namibian-German Centre for Logistics

2.7 University of Namibia (UNAM)

UNAM is the most popular tertiary institution in Namibia. Established in 1992, it is with

more than 19,000 students, twelve campuses nationwide and nine regional centres the

biggest institution in the country. You should study at UNAM if you want to have a good

academic foundation for your future studies and career. UNAM puts its focus on a theoreti-

cal basis which can be deepened in postgraduate studies up to a Ph.D. > www.unam.edu.na

You can study at the following faculties on both undergraduate and postgraduate level:

— Agriculture & Natural Resources — Humanities & Social Science

— Economics & Management Science — Law

— Education — Namibia Business School

— Engineering & IT — Science

— Health Science and Medicine


2.8 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs)

VTCs are spread all around the country and aim at developing craftsmanship, practical

experience and problem-solving and to develop young Namibians into productive, compe-

tent and skilled workers. > www.nta.com.na

EenhanaDimo Hamaambo Street, Eenhana Fon (065) 263600 Fax (065) 263871

Bricklaying & Plastering / Joinery & Cabinetmaking / Plumbing & Pipefitting / Welding & Fabrication / Office Administration / Office Administration & IT and Commu ni cation Technology / Hospitality & Tourism

NakayaleRuacana Main Road, Outapi Fon (065) 250067 Fax (065) 250066

Office Administration / Hospitality & Tourism

OkakararaJohn Tjikuaa Street, OkakararaFon (067) 317069Fax (067) 317469

Electrical General / Carpentry & Joinery / Plumbing & Pipefitting / Hairdressing / Clothing Production / Bricklaying & Plastering / Office Administration / Auto Mechanics / Welding & Metal Fabrication

RunduMaria Mwengere Street, Rundu Fon (066) 255211 Fax (066) 255364

Auto Mechanics / Auto Electrics / Bricklaying & Plastering / Electrical General / Joinery & Cabinetmaking / Office Administration / Plumbing & Pipefitting

ValombolaNandjebo Mengela Street, Ongwediva Fon (065) 234100 Fax (065) 230167

Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration / Auto-Mechanics / Bricklaying & Plastering / Business Skills / Carpentry & Joinery / Clothing & Production / Electrical General / Hospitality & Tourism / Office Administration / Welding & Metal Fabrication

WindhoekRooivalk Street, Khomasdal Fon (061) 211742 Fax (061) 211379> www.wvtc.edu.na

Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration / Auto-Mechanics / Boilermaking / Bricklaying & Plastering / Electrical General / Fitting & Turning / Joinery & Cabinetmaking / Junior Computer Technician / Office Administration / Plumbing & Pipefitting / Radio & Television / Starting Business – Core / International Computer Driver’s License (ICDL) / Welding & Metal Fabrication

ZambeziWenela Road, Katima MuliloFon (066) 253264 Fax (066) 212379

Bricklaying & Plastering / Clothing Production / Joinery & Cabinetmaking / Hospitality & Tourism / Plumbing & Pipefitting / Office Administration / Welding & Metal Fabrication


2.9 Other Institutions

This is a list of the other institutions that are accredited by the Namibia Qualifications

Authority:

— Africa Institutions Management

Services

— Africa Leadership Institute

— Business School of Excellence

— College of the Arts

— DAPP Vocational Training School

— Frameworks Africa Consultancy CC

— Headstart Mercy Montessori Teachers

Training College

— Institute of Information Technology

— Katutura Community College

— Labour Research and Research

Institute

— Military School – Osona Base

— Monitronic Success College

— Namibia Academy for Tourism &

Hospitality

— Namibia Construction Skills Academy

— Namibia Evangelical Theological

Seminary

— Namibian Institute of Mining and

Technology

— Namibian Maritime and Fisheries

Institute

— National Youth Service

— Philippi Trust Namibia

— Shadonai Beauty School

— St. Charles Lwanga Major Seminary

— Triumphant College

— Tulipohamba Training and Assessment

Centre

— United Lutheran Theological Seminary

– Paulinum

— Wolwedans Foundation Trust

3 Studying Abroad

As many other young people, Jeffrey and you might dream of studying abroad for sev-

eral reasons: You might think that the educational standard abroad is higher, you would

like to get to know another country and culture and/or you see increased chances of

employment after your return to Namibia. All these reasons are justified and we want

to support you with your dream. Studying abroad is indeed possible but it is not as easy

as you might think. It is not only done with applying at an institution. It already begins

with the kind of institution and which country you should choose. For this, some research

needs to be done. First of all, you must be aware of what you want to study and which

country is the most interesting and promising. To do undergraduate studies as a Namib-

ian it is easiest to choose a country where English is the official language. Other countries,

for example Germany, do have study courses taught in English but not as many as, for

example, England. For postgraduate studies, it is a bit easier to go to other countries as

well because many Master’s degrees are offered in English. Having found the right institu-

tion that offers the perfect study course for you, you should check whether any financial

assistance is being offered. Studying in countries like England or the United States goes


in line with high tuition fees and living costs. Most universities all around the world have

their own scholarship section on their website. You should check this and learn whether

Namibians are eligible to apply for their scholarships and bursaries. If this is the case, the

door is open. You now must submit your application according to their requirements and

apply for financial assistance, too. As soon as you are accepted, it is up to you to visit the

country’s embassy and see how you get a study visa, then you are ready to go! We want

to emphasise again: The way to an institution abroad is a really difficult one and it takes

a lot of effort and patience! You should consider whether it is worth investing the effort

and, maybe, being disappointed or whether you would take the easier way and try to

study at a Namibian institution.

Here are some useful websites that will help you on your way to study abroad:

Germany > http://bit.ly/1FBRdJ6This website helping you from finding your institution up to the application for accommodation in Germany

United Kingdom > http://bit.ly/1J38fSQThis website that provides you with a list of study courses including scholarships.

United States > http://1.usa.gov/1HJnkHoThis website provides you with all kinds of information with regard to your stay in the US

Canada > http://bit.ly/1SAE9KJThis website contains all information you need on where and how to study in Canada including information on its education system.


4 Finding Your Dream Job

Congratulations! You finished your studies and are prepared for your first job. Jeffrey

already found his dream job. We want to help you to find yours as well. Now the question

is: Where do I want to work? At which companies could I work? The Namibian job market

is a volatile and flexible one. This means that employees usually do not work for the same

company throughout their lives. Hence, you do not need to worry if your first job is not

what you dreamt of! As long as you have good qualifications, good grades but also gained

other skills from outside university, you will find another job that will suit you better!

4.1 Where to Search

There are plenty of Namibian websites that can will help you find a job (www.pinupjobs.com /

www.elitemployment.com.na / www.information.na / www.jobsunlimited.com.na). You

also find several groups on Facebook where companies upload their vacancies. It is further

recommended to buy at least Friday’s newspapers as many companies advertise vacant

positions there.

4.2 The Route to the First Interview

This is your last step now! You found a vacancy and must apply. For a successful applica-

tion many things are to be considered. Before submitting your documents, you should

revise them once again. Here is a small guide that will help you to do so. You find an

extensive application guide on our website: www.nam.welwitschia.org/application-guide

4.3 Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A Curriculum Vitae is the summary of a person’s educational and professional history,

usually prepared for job or internship applications. It conveys your personal details in the

way that presents you in the best possible light. A CV is a marketing document in which

you are marketing something: yourself! You need to “sell” your skills, abilities, qualifica-

tions and experience to employers.

There is not just “one best way” to construct a CV – it is your document and can be struc-

tured as you wish within the basic framework below.

4.3.1 Personal Information

— full name

— preferred name (e.g. when your first or surname are difficult to pronounce)

— birth date

— nationality

— contact number

— P.O. Box

— e-mail address (choose a professional one!)

— ID number, marital and health status and criminal record not needed if not

specifically required

— languages not mentioned here but in Skills and Achievements section


4.3.2 Educational History

— primary school

— begin with the most current institution

— months/years included (month/year of enrolment and of graduation)

— no need to mention subjects in the CV (attach them as an extra document)

— highest qualification mentioned

4.3.3 Employment History

— begin with most current

— only most relevant ones mentioned for the job applying

— position included

— maximum three responsibilities per job mentioned briefly

— months/years included (month/year you started and ended the job)

— references included

4.3.4 Skills and Achievements

— languages divided in “Speaking”, “Writing” and “Reading” and evaluated

as “Excellent”, “Good”, “Fair” and “Basic”

— skills and achievements added that represent you best

— three interests (preferably they refer to the job applying) added, e.g. “Travelling”

when applying at a travel agency

4.3.5 References

— only references from “Educational History” to be added

— other references are included in the “Employment History”

4.3.6 Other

— there are no gaps in your CV, i.e. it covers all years from Primary School up to today

— periods of unemployment mentioned as well (can be labelled as “employment

seeking”)

— layout consistent (same font and font size, no tab mistakes etc.)

— length is maximum two A4 pages plus a cover page (which is not compulsory)

4.4 Your Cover Letter

The cover letter is the possibility for you to sell your skills. Due to limited space in this

guide, we cannot provide you with a full sample. Hence, we explain you shortly the im-

portant points in a convincing cover letter. You find an extensive sample on our online

Application Guide: www.nam.welwitschia.org/application-guide.

In a cover letter it is very important to not have one standard cover letter that you use

for all your applications. We highly recommend writing an individual cover letter for each

application. It takes some time but the companies will reward it as they can see that you

have put effort into writing your application and not only copied and pasted the cover

letter of your friend.

You begin the cover letter with a short introduction of yourself, where you are studying or

working and where you find the vacancy or offer.

The second paragraph is the main part. Here you directly refer to the requirements stated

in the vacancy and say how you meet them. Tell the company which skills you have but

also how you achieved them. It is not sufficient to say only that you are a good team

worker, you must also justify it, for example by stating that you organized a certain pro-

ject together with a group of fellow students.

You conclude the letter with a final sentence you describe how and when you will follow

up. There is no need to name your cell phone number on the cover letter as it is included

in your CV already.


— Refrain from saying anything negative about former colleagues or employers.

— Avoid controversial topics, personal issues or family problems.

— Avoid saying you do not have any questions; Make sure to prepare some questions

which you could ask. This shows your interest in the company.

— Close the interview by asking about the next steps in the process.

Before going to an interview, it is further important to think about questions the inter-

viewer might ask. Doing this will make it less likely that you will be surprised by a ques-

tion and if you are well-prepared you should have a good answer on almost everything

the interviewer could ask you. In our online Application Guide, we prepared some ques-

tions for you that could be asked: www.nam.welwitschia.org/application-guide.

4.6 Becoming an Entrepreneur

If you have a great idea that you would like to realize instead of being employed, it is pos-

sible to become an entrepreneur. This is definitely the more difficult and also more risky

way but also a more thrilling one. Having a good idea, however, is not a guarantee to be

able to open your own business. Writing a business plan is the first step, finding an inves-

tor or a loan the next one. There are some organisations and initiatives in Namibia that

support you with becoming your own boss. Before starting your business, we recommend

consulting them first in order to minimize your risk of failing.

Namibia Business Innovation InstituteThe Innovation Village 1–3 Glück Street, Windhoek West Fon (061) 2072885 > http://bit.ly/1J33Ejk

Motivates, trains and gives advice to people to become entrepreneurs

SMEs CompeteEntrepreneur House 123 Sam Nujoma Drive, Windhoek West Fon (061) 247129 branches in: Ongwediva & Walvis Bay> http://bit.ly/SMEsCompete

Seeks to improve entrepreneurial, management, marketing and information technology skills of SMEs

4.5 The Interview

You finally made it: You were invited for an interview! This is the last step to find your

dream job and it is a very difficult one. A good preparation is priceless. Here are some

important points that will help you prepare well for the interview.

4.5.1 Before the Interview

— Thoroughly research the company/organization.

— Ask a friend to do practice the interview beforehand.

— Plan ahead: know all interview logistics, such as parking, office location, paperwork

etc. (maybe even take a practice run to the location of the interview).

— Appropriate interview attire: ensure that your outfit is clean and neatly pressed; check

for spots, rips or tears. (Prepare a plan B outfit in case you come across any disasters).

— Plan to arrive 10 minutes early; if you are running late, you should inform the

company via phone call.

— Print your application documents once again in case the HR manager did not do it.

— Turn off your cellphone.

4.5.2 During the Interview

— Make a good first impression: greet the interviewer with courtesy, smile and avoid a

limp or clammy handshake.

— Be aware of your body language and posture at all times: sit upright, make good eye

contact and look interested.

— Project confidence: speak clearly and with a strong voice; avoid slang.

— Avoid answering questions with a simple “yes” or “no”. Describe those things about

yourself that showcase your talents, skills, and determination; stress achievements.

— Show what you can do for the company rather than demand what the company can

do for you.

— Postpone inquiring about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until

after you have received an offer. However, be prepared for a question about salary

requirements by conducting some research beforehand and thinking about your

expectations.


5 Engagement in Societal Organisations

Jeffrey did not only attend to classes but also joined Welwitschia — Education Initiative

for Namibia in order to acquire more skills and to meet new people. As we are a societal

organization, we want to emphasise the importance of societal work. Being engaged in

an organisation has several benefits. You not only meet new people from different back-

grounds, you also have the possibility to put your theoretical skills into practice, e.g. by

organising an event or being responsible for the finances of the organisation, and deepen

your knowledge. However, you not only learn to improve the skills in your field but also

beyond that. You will learn how to speak in front of a group or how to chair a meeting.

You further will make good contacts that might help you in the future and, of course,

help other people that need your support. You indeed need to invest some time and most

of the work in societal organisations is done on a voluntary basis but if you are looking

to the future, the work pays back. You can ask the chairman or chairwoman of your or-

ganisation to award you with a certificate which you can attach to your applications and

you should definitely state your engagement in your CV. The HR manager of each com-

pany will appreciate such engagement as it shows that you are looking beyond your field

and broadening your horizon. We at Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia are

always glad to welcome new volunteers, there is a lot to do and achieve! You can help us

find new offers for Nam Career Service, search for new fundraising opportunities, support

our Educational Advisor in our office or host workshops with us all around the country.

And these are only a few examples of possible engagement! If you are interested, just

send us an e-mail to [email protected] and we will arrange a meeting

with you!

5.1 Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia

At the very end of this booklet, we would like to introduce our organisation and to give

your more information on our goals and missions.

Welwitschia is operating in both Namibia and Germany on a non-profit basis. While the

organisation was founded in Germany in 2012, the Namibian branch exists since March

2014. It is the aim of the organisation to link individuals with prospective companies

to co-operate with the public and corporate sector to help enhance the chances of bet-

ter education and career choice. Welwitschia further offers with Nam Career Service a

platform for the youth to acquire better career opportunities and to improve individual’s

knowledge through the use of resources and various methods such as workshops and

seminars. The organisation also strives to change the mindset of the youth in order for

them to think on a broader scale and not limit themselves with regards to education

and employment. The organisation provides workshops and other forms of outreach to

individuals in terms to their education and prospective career opportunities, provides and

outsources financial assistance and technical support for students. Students and other

interested parties will be informed about different career opportunities in their fields of

education.

We hope that Nam Career Guide could help you in whatever situation you currently are. If

you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us via our Facebook pages (see

links below) or via e-mail: [email protected]. We are further always glad to receive

any kind of feedback on our services and would highly appreciate it, if you invited your

friends to our Facebook-pages and spread the word! Help us reach more people in order to

increase their chances to find the career of their choice as well!


ImprintWelwitschia — Education Initiative for NamibiaAuthor: Philipp Walter ([email protected])Published: - First edition, September 2015- Second edition, January 2017

www.nam.welwitschia.org www.facebook.com/welwitschia.orgwww.facebook.com/NamCareerServicewww.twitter.com/WelwitschiaOrgwww.instagram.com/Welwitschia_org

Acknowledgement

I cannot express enough thanks to both Welwitschia — Education Initiative for Namibia namely Eva Shitaatala, Kevin Wessels, Magdalena David, Hella Shikongo, Justina Murungweni and Samuel Neshuku in Namibia as well as Carsten Rietmann, Johannes Vogelsang, Julia Legge and Kolja Lichtenthäler in Germany for their ongoing support.Special thanks goes to Carsten and Samuel who critically revised this guide several times and gave great input in order to make it what it is now. Without the great and spontane-ous support of Sebastian Legge and his graphic design expertise, Nam Career Guide would not look like as it looks now. He made it possible that this guide could be printed.The completion of this project could not have been accomplished without the support of Eerike Kahambundu and his brother Jeffrey; Eerike for his efforts as Director of Pho-tography and Jeffrey for his modeling skills as well as the students from Polytechnic of Namibia who were willing to spontaneously act as our models and background models for the cover picture. This Nam Career Guide is dedicated to Eerike who passed away only few days after publication of first edition. We miss him.

COURSES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDRENGERMAN Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

OSHIWAMBO AND AFRIKAANS Levels: Beginner/Conversational

DAYS AND TIMES FOR ALL COURSES Days: Mon and Wed OR Tue and Thurs Adults: 9:00 – 10:30; 17:30 – 19:00 Children: 14:30 – 16:00; 16:00 – 17:30

COURSE FEES Course fee: Full payment N$1,700

GERMANAFRIKAANSOSHIWAMBO

TERM 2 | 2017 15 May – 10 AugREGISTRATION 24 Apr - 12 May

LANGUAGE COURSES

Contact us for more information1-5 Fidel Castro Street, WindhoekTel: 061 22 57 00 | [email protected]

Now open!REGISTRATIONJOIN OUR TEAM! Meet new people, learn new things, have fun.

Other terms:Term 1/2017: 30 Jan – 27 Apr

Term 3/2017: 28 Aug – 23 Nov, Registration: 7 Aug – 25 AugSupporting Namibia and its people for a better future is our task since 40 years. Engaged on various fields, one of our topics is education and assistance for young people to find jobs and to contribute to the development and economy of the country. That’s it why we support this Nam Career Guide by Welwitschia – Education Initiative. And we wish all readers good luck and all the best to achieve their aims!

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