Speed dating the civil (eng) way
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Looking back over your career, have you ever thought 鈥渋f only I鈥檇 known that at the time鈥? Or 鈥渋f only I鈥檇 met so-and-so sooner鈥? Mentoring can help and it鈥檚 usually a subtle and long-term relationship, but Wits civil engineering students decided to hurry things up a bit.
The Wits Student Chapter of SAICE (South 第一吃瓜网 Institution of Civil Engineering) organised an event where students could meet people in the industry. It ran like speed dating: the students got four minutes with each industry mentor before moving on to the next.
Chapter spokesperson Phiwe Linda Maseti says: 鈥淭he students found it useful in getting personal questions answered and as a networking opportunity. Our mentors found it useful too as they also had the opportunity to network among themselves. Some students who were looking to get possible jobs out of it said they managed to land a meeting.
鈥淲e wanted a diverse group of mentors. They included lecturers from Wits, Master鈥檚 students and working professionals from companies like Aveng, Arup, Joburg Water, Genrec Engineering, Zitholele Consulting, Mott MacDonald and others.
鈥淪tudents were given a page of questions to help as a guideline which included questions like 鈥榃hat traits impress you the most in a working professional?鈥, 鈥榃hat is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?鈥, 鈥榃ho has influenced you the most?鈥 and others.鈥 (Perhaps they could include: the best piece of advice you never 谤别肠别颈惫别诲鈥)
鈥淏ut most of the students already knew what questions they wanted answers to and some would have a question once they had a chat with the mentor and knew their background.鈥
She concludes: 鈥淲e received great feedback from the mentors and students, so I think it would be great if students in other fields also did something like this.鈥
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