Grade 11 Life Orientation: Careers and Career Choices

🟦 TERM 1: Weeks 4–6

1. Career and Career Fields

• Career: A long-term professional journey based on your passions, goals, and qualifications.
• Career field: A broad area or industry that contains many related careers (e.g., Health, Education, Finance).

2. Career Categories and Opportunities

• Examples of fields: Law, Arts, Business, Tourism, Agriculture, Engineering, Technology.
• Formal vs. Informal employment: Formal careers require training and offer benefits; informal careers are flexible, often self-taught.

3. Study Options and Institutions

• Universities: Offer academic degrees like BA, BCom, BSc.
• TVET Colleges: Focus on technical and vocational education and training (e.g., plumbing, IT, hospitality).
• Private Colleges: Offer specialised training in media, fashion, design, business.
• SAQA: The South African Qualifications Authority ensures that qualifications are nationally recognised, legitimate, and quality-assured.

4. Funding Options

• NSFAS: Government funding for academically deserving students from households with limited financial means (typically earning below a certain annual threshold).
• Bursaries: Merit- or need-based financial assistance from companies, government, or institutions.
• Scholarships: Awarded for academic excellence or special achievements.
• Student loans: Provided by banks and other institutions, with agreed repayment terms.
• Learnerships & Internships: Combine study and practical work experience, often with a stipend.
• Part-time work: Enables students to earn while studying.

5. Career Planning Steps

• Self-awareness: Understand your values, strengths, interests, and passions.
• Research: Learn about available careers, study paths, and qualification requirements.
• Set SMART goals and take action: Apply, secure funding, and register on time.

6. Factors to Consider in Career Choices

• Skills, personality, interests, lifestyle goals, and financial needs.
• Job availability, salary, work environment, and long-term growth potential.

7. Career Pathing

• A planned approach to grow within a career over time (e.g., starting as an assistant and growing to a manager).
• Involves upskilling, gaining experience, and being adaptable to changes.

8. SAQA and the NQF

• SAQA: The national body that oversees and verifies all registered qualifications in South Africa.
• NQF (National Qualifications Framework): A system that ranks qualifications from level 1 (Grade 9) to level 10 (Doctorate).