Damelin Offers Work Integrated Learning To Its Students 2024
What do you do when you are presented with a rare opportunity to be part of a big, fast paced company that is growing at an accelerated pace? You grab the opportunity with both hands and make a mark.
That is exactly what 20-year-old Merelda Naidoo is doing. The Damelin Overport graduate has recently joined Educor, the holding company for Damelin and six other educational brands including ICESA, CityVarsity, Central Technical College Technical, Damelin Correspondence College and Lyceum. She was appointed to be part of a social media internship programme.
As part of her responsibilities, she has been tasked with being a social media copywriter. This includes creating unique posts for different social media platforms across all the Group’s educational brands. Something she is passionate about.
Merelda studied a Degree in Marketing and Business Management at Damelin. Her qualification has equipped her with the skills and knowledge she is now putting to use in her current position as an intern. She has always wanted to work for a big company and contribute towards the implementation of the company’s strategies.
“I have always wanted to make my mark in the business world, I’m hoping to be a brand ambassador one day,” said Merelda.
According to Jessie Naidoo, Head of Communications for the Group: “I have had first-hand experience of the calibre of students that we are grooming for the industry, by being part of several interviews. I am so impressed with the professional presentation and overall standard of candidates. Well done to the staff and students for taking employment seriously, as the job market is tough out there.
According to an article published on Times Live, the unemployment rate is 27.7% with 58% of the unemployed being youth between 15 and 34. The Work Integrated Learning programme assists new graduates to get experience, which is a prerequisite for most companies.
The internship she got is an entry to endless possibilities. She is just finding her feet and soon she will be a force to be reckoned with in the marketing sector. Merelda has decided that she will use what she learnt as a student at Damelin to tackle obstacles that will come her way, starting from the small ones right up to the biggest.
Jamie Murugan, Coordinator for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Policy Admin at Educor said every time a graduate is employed, it is a victory for the lectures, advisors and support staff. “Students are given the knowledge, theoretical foundations and the opportunity of experiential learning. It is therefore incredibly fulfilling to watch the graduates enter the workforce and apply themselves to the task at hand,”
In Merelda’s words, she is driven by enormous passion and perseverance. Her ultimate goal during her internship is to obtain tons of experience in the field she is most passionate about. She wants to work for well-known organisations and become a well-established brand ambassador. “My internship is an opportunity for me to extend my skills outside of the classroom. I want to put what I have learnt to practice,” said Merelda.
Merelda loves art, dancing and embracing new experiences. She is currently enjoying her internship and being part of the environment. “It brings out the creativity in me. I am grateful for the opportunity and experience.”
With a qualification from Damelin, Merelda has been given the opportunity to shine and she is optimising it