After two job shadow experiences focused on Chartered Accountancy, Asive Gwembelemtwini joined her classmate, Anika Mtyelwa, for a job shadow at Dan-Bunkering in Durbanville.
‘From 22 to 23 June we learnt more about the global bunkering industry and how a global bunkering trading company approaches ships coming to SA from around the world who might be potential buyers of fuel at the best price.
‘The company buys fuel and aims to sell it at a profit.
‘Anika and I were given homework which was to fix the deal with the aim of saving the company money. We quickly learnt that a company can make money or lose millions!
‘The two days exceeded our expectations as we gained a full understanding about a company willing to help learners seek and pursue their careers. We witnessed, first hand, what is required in their daily jobs and where and how to identify opportunities.’
Reflecting on the holiday job shadow experience, Asive said her biggest challenge was to find the location of the host companies and the best routes via Taxi from her home in Delft.
‘Google was a great help and I understood why Mrs Owen from Lawhill – who arranged this experience and is passionate about the value of job shadowing – didn’t want to ‘spoonfeed’ me by giving me all the information I needed. She wanted me to experience what it would be like to be out of school and working at an actual company. By doing this, she has made me more independent and more prepared for the working world.
‘I definitely learned a lot and now I believe that every challenge you face is there for a reason: to overcome it and learn from it.
‘Our sincere appreciation to Dan-Bunkering for allowing us to do this job shadow. May they too continue to offer these opportunities.
‘Our wish is that more companies in the maritime industry will open their doors to high school students and see how important these job shadows are to helping young people make informed career choices.’