University of Venda (UNIVEN) students got the chance to speak with employers, and industry and government representatives at a three-day career expo hosted by the university’s Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law.
Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law Career Expo set out to connect students and organisations with an interest in establishing links between higher education and the workplace, running from 28 to 30 September 2026 at the University Auditorium.
The event took place under the theme “Connecting Talent to Opportunity: Building Future-Ready Careers through Industry Engagement.”
Connecting students to employers: The career expo experience
The career expo gave students the chance to engage with organisations working in non-university environments.
For students about to enter the job market, such encounters can be helpful in identifying what employers are looking for in new graduates and young professionals.
The event also created an opportunity for students, industry leaders and government representatives to have a dialogue around job opportunities and the skills needed in the workplace.
Industry engagement: A valuable experience for students
Industry and government representatives’ involvement in the event opened students’ eyes to the opportunities that existed outside of the university environment.
It provided them with knowledge regarding the relationship between academic studies and the workplace, and the kind of preparation needed to perform well in an organisation.
For students in management, commerce and law-related disciplines, industry engagement is an especially useful experience as it can help them determine the kinds of jobs they would be eligible for after they graduate.
Preparing students entering the job market
The theme of the event, “Connecting Talent to Opportunity: Building Future-Ready Careers through Industry Engagement”, signals the organisers’ recognition of the importance of university graduates’ readiness for the workplace.
Although academic excellence plays a major role in determining whether a graduate is suitable for a position, students also need to know how to apply knowledge gained in higher education in the workplace.
Career events such as the UNIVEN Career Expo allow students to gain this experience while still at university.
Giving students and employers a platform to connect
The UNIVEN Career Expo invited students and representatives from multiple industries to spend three days at the University Auditorium, engaging in conversations around jobs and opportunities for young graduates and students.
While students benefited from the chance to speak with potential employers, organisations which participated in the event also had the advantage of discussing entry-level positions with students who would soon be graduating and entering the job market.
Why career events are essential for university students
The period after graduation, when students need to look for jobs, can be a stressful time.
Gaining experience with the recruitment process, determining what career path to choose and building professional connections are just some of the challenges university students need to overcome in order to secure an entry-level position.
Career events such as the UNIVEN Career Expo can help with that, as they give students the opportunity to connect with organisations and professionals in their field of study, learn about the job market and evaluate their options.
What students can do with their expo experience
Those who attended the expo can now use the experience they gained at the event as a springboard for their future careers.
Students can research the companies they showed interest in at the expo, update their CVs, look for graduate opportunities and build the necessary skills for a career in their chosen field of study.
Those who still need to determine their career path can use the information they gathered at the expo to help them decide on a profession which aligns with their skills and interests.
The bottom line
The UNIVEN Career Expo is just one example of how universities can facilitate communication between students and employers.
Bringing these two groups together creates a space where important topics such as the connection between academic and professional experience can be discussed.
Students in the Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law were able to spend three days at the University Auditorium speaking with industry and government representatives about their job prospects.
Editorial and fact-checking information
Source basis: This report is based on the event information supplied for publication.
Fact-checking: The event dates, venue, faculty, theme and participating groups mentioned in this article have been retained from the supplied information. No attendance figures, employer names, job offers or additional outcomes have been added without supporting information.
Corrections: Any subsequent correction or additional confirmed information about the Career Expo should be verified before being added to the article.
