Who’s Who: for Students too

February 19, 2013 by Who's Who of Southern Africa 

We live in an age where the internet has become one of the most important means of gathering information. Social networks have become increasingly important in connecting with others, and each platform offers users an opportunity to share aspects of their personality with the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, many people – including young adults – choose to promote their fun and frivolous side by posting arbitrary and sometimes controversial and explicit, images and statuses on their networks. They are presumably unaware of the negative impact it may have on their job prospects, but consider this: would you hire someone that has a wild online ‘image’ – even if he gets great grades offline?

Our advice: consider your online actions, and generate a professional image from an early age. Also, populate your Who’s Who profile to gain the edge. We’ve developed a platform that highlights your achievements and successes, and can counteract that awkward image that the internet has of you.

Who’s Who is a professional network that allows you to put your best foot forward, offering you the opportunity to create an impressive profile which potential future employers will see.

If you thought that ‘professional’ is synonymous with boring, think again:

  • Compete with friends to see who gets the most badges
  • Compete with your friends to see who ranks higher
  • Brag to your friends about your achievements without sounding pompous
  • Share your successes with one click via Email, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • Add images, videos, blogs, documents, sound clip and links in your portfolio to further promote your professional activities
  • Network with leading personalities in your field by adding them as contacts on your page
  • Include testimonials from school teachers, current lecturers, even your colleagues from your group assignments
  • Add your high school achievements to further impress prospective employers
  • Add your Who’s Who profile link in your CV to promote your online brand

Let your Who’s Who profile be the first impression that lasts. You may have noticed that WhosWho.co.za has just launched an Internships and Vacation Work feature, one that lists vacancies for young professionals seeking an opportunity to get their foot in the door and take the first step along their chosen career path. If you’re looking for an internship, keep an eye on this space. Good luck!

Spotlight On: Chad, a Writer, Tutor and Academic

February 14, 2013 by Who's Who of Southern Africa 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like working for a tertiary institution? As part of our Spotlight On series, Who’s Who has investigated the professional life of an aspiring academic.

Meet Chad Brevis, an English graduate that has chosen to keep studying, researching and fulfilling his passion for words while making money teaching at his graduating college, the University of the Western Cape.

Chad started as an Ethics and English tutor exactly one year after obtaining his BA degree with Ethics, Language and Communication, and English Literature as his triple majors. He has also completed his B.A. (Hons) in English Literature and Linguistics. This means that 100% of his tertiary education contributes to his success as a professional tutor. In addition, the passion that Chad has for thinking, writing and generating debates greatly contributes to his love for teaching and researching. Enabling others with knowledge and critical thinking is strong motivation that allows him to actively help his students improve not only themselves but also their social and moral environment, a privilege that he is able to accomplish because of his academic dedication.

To qualify as a tutor in the first post graduate year, students need to earn a minimum average of 65% in the subject that they wish to teach in. Each department within the Arts Faculty has their own pay rate and working hours, so these will vary. As a first time tutor in the Ethics department, Chad was put in charge of two groups of twenty students, to which he dedicated two hours of teaching each week. Additionally, he was available for two more hours a week for official consultations… not to mention countless unofficial hours. Three years after obtaining his first degree,  the number of individuals in his groups in the English Department has grown. As a tutor his responsibilities include teaching, marking, attendance administration, and attending departmental meetings.

He admits that even though he tutors just five hours a week, many more hours of preparation and administration are required. Working on his Masters thesis, submitting articles for publication in IAM magazine as a staff writer and assisting his mentors and lecturers with their academic papers adds to the unofficial work hours he endures. He does this in order to fully take advantage of the opportunities that will enable him to succeed beyond average expectations. Chad also promotes his own blogs aimed at giving locals an opportunity to make their voices heard in a non-academic context. “I make a conscious choice to ensure that each and every activity I undertake benefits my passions to the maximum. If it does not, I find a way to make it relevant to what I do and how I do it,” he says.

Even while studying, Chad wasn’t far from the written word, working for Bargain Books for six years until he finished his degree. His sights are set on the corporate world, and he hopes to run his own media company one day. Chad’s work ethic calls for passion, hard work and dedication.“I believe enough is still not enough,”  he says.

- If you would like to be featured in our Spotlight On series, send an email to info@whoswho.co.za, addressed to Lauren with the subject Spotlight On and tell us a bit about yourself.

By Lauren van Schalkwyk, Online Content Administrator at Who’s Who

From PC screen to TV screen

January 21, 2013 by Who's Who of Southern Africa 

We’ve launched our first television advert!

We’re very proud to announce that Who’s Who of Southern Africa recently launched the company’s very first television advert. The clip was conceptualised and developed in collaboration with Cape Town based ad company bitterbean.tv . There are two versions of the advert showing on local DSTV channels, and a third version is showing at South African airports. The adverts are showing on various DSTV channels, including MNet, KykNet, Mzanzi Magic and AfriMagic.

Catch them all on our YouTube channel.

Visit www.whoswho.co.za to find out more about this hyper-local online reputation management and networking tool. 

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