UCT students motivate Athlone High pupils to pursue their dreams

University of Cape Town (UCT) fourth-year Occupational Therapy students inspired pupils at Athlone High School to set and achieve their goals during a dynamic Career Day Expo held at the school on Thursday, October 16.

The event was spearheaded by Oyisa Ntwanambi, who is completing her clinical placement at the school as part of a collaborative group project with Health Futures South Africa. The initiative formed part of the students’ work under UCT’s Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Ms Ntwanambi said the event aimed to motivate pupils to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination. She emphasised the importance of helping young people take pride in their heritage and remain committed to completing what they start.

While working with a group of Grade 11 pupils known as “The Dream Catchers,” Ms Ntwanambi and her team identified a gap that many pupils lacked exposure to the wide range of career paths available to them. 

“These learners are talented and capable, but without seeing different professional paths and hearing personal stories, they often don’t recognise the opportunities within their reach,” said Ms Ntwanambi.

“To address this, we developed a Career Day Expo to introduce them to diverse professional, technical, creative, and entrepreneurial fields, and connect them with individuals from similar backgrounds who have succeeded in those spaces.”

The expo was a collaborative effort between UCT’s Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology students, Health Futures South Africa, and the Grade 11 Dream Catchers group. The aim was to empower pupils with knowledge, inspiration, and a broader view of what their futures could hold.

School principal Vincent Hendricks said he was thankful for the initiative, noting that career guidance was essential in helping pupils make informed decisions about their futures.

“There’s often a gap between what learners are taught in school and what awaits them after matric. We’re very happy to host this event. Our children must be guided early to make the right subject and career choices, especially from Grade 10 onwards,” he said.

To accommodate all pupils without overcrowding, pupils from different grades participated in the expo at staggered times throughout the day. The Career Day featured career stalls, interactive sessions, and short presentations from professionals in a range of fields, including health sciences, law, engineering, education, media, and entrepreneurship.

The event left a lasting impression on pupils, who walked away more informed, inspired, and empowered to chase their dreams.