Age: 32

Position: Partner in the Trade Marks Department of Von Seidels Intellectual Property Attorneys.

Highest grade passed: Matric
Qualifications:

• BCom(Hons)/LLB
• Bachelor of Commerce with Honors
• Bachelor of Laws

I love what I do because…
It is varied and no one day is exactly the same. I deal with many new businesses and my clients are always interesting and excitable people who are grateful for the services rendered.

A typical day at work:  My job involves understanding a client’s business and the intellectual property involved in that business (which includes trade marks), and advising clients on how best to protect their brand.

I start the day dealing with my emails, which may include emails from local and foreign clients in regard to existing matters, or new clients requesting information or wanting advise on a new matter.

I may consult with a new client or an existing client in any given day, either at our office or at their offices.  On a daily basis I deal with correspondence and issues with the South African Trade Marks Office. I may also spend my day drafting an agreement or a legal opinion.

I also attend to filing, prosecuting and registering trade marks, as well as litigating on trade mark matters.

My job is based on the legal aspects surrounding trade marks or brands both in South Africa and internationally. There are many areas of law associated with trade marks, such as company names, domain names, internet law, advertising standards, protected events and copyright law. 

The upside of my job:

• Meeting and helping lots of new people
• Travel
• Constant changesin technology and brands makes it exciting
• Financially rewarding
• Fun – and never boring!

… and the downside:

• There are many deadlines to meet
• It can get stressful – especially when a client’s business is at stake or there are serious financial implications for the client.
• Long hours

Future Plans:

Any attorney needs to move through certain stages in their career as it is a continual learning process. Although I am a partner there is still a lot to learn as the law is always changing, therefore in 5 years time my focus may change, even in a specialized area of law such a trade marks.

For example with the recent new phenomena of Second Life there are many legal implications from a trade mark perspective that may develop from that.
I love what I do – it is challenging and changing enough that I do not wish to move into another area of law or move professions.

OFO No: 541201

What is a Traffic Officer?

Traffic Officers have the important responsibility of ensuring the safety of our roads. Traffic Officers enforce road rules for both drivers and pedestrians to prevent accidents and deaths from occurring. The main goal of a Traffic Officer’s tasks is to save lives whilst ensuring a safe and free flow of traffic.

What does a Traffic Officer do?

• patrols roads by car, motorcycles, or on foot
• uses speed-measuring devices to enforce the speed limit
• identifies signs of a drunk driver, tests them and determines if an offence has been committed
• issues fines
• inspects vehicles for road worthiness
• checks vehicles for valid registration and outstanding fines
• monitors cellphone usage by drivers
  

Are you . . . ?

• responsible?
• a good driver?
• able to work with people with difficult personalities?
• someone with a strong sense of duty to uphold the law?
• honest and trustworthy?
• a team player
  

How do I become a Traffic Officer?

You will need a matric and to be deemed medically fit.

Step 1

• Complete your matric
• Pass your driver’s tests (have a driver’s license – manual transmission)
• Pass a medical fit assessment
• Have a clean criminal record
• 35 years old or younger

Step 2

• Apply for training at a Traffic College

COLLEGES AND ACADEMIES:

• Limpopo Traffic Training College, Polokwane – Limpopo, 015 967 0467
• Boekenhoutkloof Traffic Training College, Pretoria – Gauteng, 083 676 5133
• Kwazulu Natal Traffic Training College, Pietermaritzburg – KZN, 033 394 0202
• Lengau Traffic Training College, Bloemfontein – Free State, 051 409 0444
• Mangaung Traffic Training College, Bloemfontein – Free State, 051 412 8100
• Gene Louw Traffic Training College, Cape – Western Cape, 021 983 1501
• Durban Metro Police Traffic Training College, Durban – KZN, 031 701 0462
• Johannesburg Metro Police Dept Academy, Johannesburg – Gauteng, 011 429 5010
• Tshwane Metro Police Dept Academy, Pretoria – Gauteng, 012 358 0005
• Ekurhuleni Metro Police Dept Academy, Springs – Gauteng, 011 812 8700
• Port Elizabeth Traffic Training College, Port Elizabeth – Eastern Cape, 041 390 4501
• Matjhabeng Traffic Training College, Welkom – Free State, 051 876 2224

Step 3

• Certificate in Road Traffic Law Enforcement NQF Level 4

Step 4

• Diploma in Traffic Policing
• Advanced Diploma in Traffic Policing

Step 5

Tshwane University of Technology

• National Diploma in Traffic Safety Management
• Bachelor of Technology in Traffic Safety Management

• Web Address : http://www.tut.ac.za
• Email : general@tut.ac.za
• Telephone : 086 110 2421

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Ambulance Worker and Bodyguard

Is becoming a Traffic Officer the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 263205 

Other names for Criminologist:

Criminal Analyst

What is a Criminologist? 

Criminologists study crime. They study the evidence and legal systems to bring accused people to justice. 

Criminologists need to know the law and how criminal justice agencies operate including:

• The SA courts
• Police services
• Prisons
• Community-based correction centres, etc.

Some Criminologists may specialise in a particular field, for example:

• Research
• Victimology
• Corporate crime
• Juvenile crime etc

Many people or careers are involved or support Criminologists:

• Researchers
• Forensics Criminologists
• Legal People (Prosecuters, Magistrates, Attorneys, Advocates, Judges, Legal Advisers)
• Police Officers and Correctional Officers
• Security Guards, Traffic Officers
• Social Workers, Psychologists, Religious Leader
• Teachers, Personnel Officers
• Managers in the public and private sectors

What does a Criminologist do?

• analyses and interprets data received from the crime scene
• provides info about the crime and suggest ways to process the case
• catalogues information about causes of crime & what crimes are committed
• reports on crime statistics
• develops crime-solving techniques
• develops crime-prevention strategies
• researches all areas of crime: Offenders, victims, sentences etc
• keeps up to date with the laws of the land, legal processes etc

Are you . . . ?

• interested in crime and working in this field?
• interested in human behaviour?
• observant and detail orientated?
• a person with personal integrity? (you do what is right)
• a person with excellent analytical and statistical abilities?
• prepared to work long and unusual hours?
• emotionally strong and stable?
• dedicated and hard working?
• a team player?

How do I become a Criminologist? 

There are various ways to enter a career in Criminology and in each one you will need a degree. 

There seems to be 3 are various ways to enter a career in Criminology and in each one you will need a degree. 

(1) A B SocSci is most common, but a BA or BSc in with majors in CRIMINOLOGY will also be accepted 

You can do a Bachelor of Social Science or Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with relevant majors, for example, Criminology.

• UNISA

http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications/index.asp?link=http://www.unisa.ac.za/qualifications/Qualifications/98681.html

Criminology and Security Science

http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=165

• UNIVERSITY of FREE STATE

http://humanities.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?DCode=162

• UNIVERSITY of CAPE TOWN

http://www.criminology.uct.ac.za/

• MONASH

http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/criminology/ug-arts-criminology.html

(2) CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• UNIVERSITY of CAPE TOWN

http://www.criminology.uct.ac.za/

• MONASH

http://www.monash.ac.za/study/handbooks/aos/criminology-and-criminal-justice/ug-arts-criminology-and-criminal-justice.html

(3) CRIMINAL LAW

• UNIVERSITY of CAPE TOWN

http://www.law.uct.ac.za/courses

• UNIVERSITY of FREE STATE

http://law.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?DCode=085

• UNISA

http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=209

NOTE: Each institution will have their own entry requirements. Please check with your institution of choice. Here is a rough guide:

Compulsory subjects: Mathematics

Recommended subjects: History and Geography

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Attorney or Bodyguard

Is becoming a Criminologist the right career choice for me?

03.02.2015 Posted on Facebook

Advocates conduct civil and criminal cases in courts of law.  Clients are referred to an Advocate by their attorney/lawyer.  The Advocate makes sure that all the evidence in favour of the client is put before the magistrate or judge and cross-examines the opposing party in court.

• Civil cases are cases where there is a disagreement over the private interests of two parties or persons (e.g. claims for damages, contracts, insurance claims, and divorce cases).  In civil cases, advocates represent either the defendant or the plaintiff.
• Criminal cases are opened by the State against someone who has allegedly broken the law (violated or committed an offence against the law of the country).  In criminal cases, advocates represent either the State or the accused.

Only an Advocate can handle or present cases in the Supreme Court. Most Advocates are in private practice but can also act as legal advisers to government departments, unions and other businesses or organisations.

What does an Advocate do?

• meeting with lawyers/attorneys to discuss cases
• meeting with clients face to face to discuss cases
• giving legal advice
• preparing documentation
• researching the case/s
• attending meetings
• presenting arguments in court
• cross examining witnesses

Are you … ?

• a person with good communication skills?
• ambitious?
• honest?
• trustworthy?
• able to deal with stress?
• willing to work long hours?
• able to win the trust of others?
• confident?
• decisive?
• logical?

How do I become an Advocate?

You will need a 3 year BA Law degree PLUS an LLB.

See under ‘Lawyer’ on our website for more details.

Students who hold the BA (Law) degree will be exempted from the first two years of the four-year LLB programme.

Most universities offer these. 

After completion of the LLB degree, you will then apply to the High Court to be signed on on the “roll” of advocates. To do this, you must prove to the court that you are both qualified and able to be a member of the profession. You will then be able to practise as an advocate in South Africa.

Each institution has its own minimum requirements – check with your local institution for theirs, but here is a rough guide:

• NSC with an aggregate of at least 60%
• Home Language (60-69%)
• First Additional Language (40-49%)
• If Economics is taken as a university subject, then also: 
• Mathematics (60-69%)

Students may at a later date specialise in a specific area of law eg  Tax, Human Rights, Labour etc etc.

Is becoming an Advocate the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.  

Legal Secretary

CLICK HERE
for more info about this career

Legal assistants spend much of their time in offices, boardrooms and courts. A great deal of travelling could be done depending on the project being worked on and the amount of research or investigation required.

They have valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied to both legal and business sectors.

Legal Assistants need training in computers, current documentation and case management database technology for use in areas with specialised needs. 

A judge is an appointed or elected magistrate who presides over court proceedings.

A judge is an appointed or elected magistrate who presides over court proceedings. A judge rules on questions of law, acts as a referee between the litigating parties and renders decisions in legal disputes.

A Meat Inspector/Examiner is an individual who works in abattoirs (slaughterhouses) and examines meat to determine whether it complies with safety standards and is fit for public consumption.

Meat Inspectors/Examiners are required at hunts and/or game harvesting.

What does a Meat Inspector do?

• examining meat before and after slaughtering – checking for any signs of illness, infection, or abnormalities
• examining cured, dried, canned and frozen meat
• checking the sanitary conditions of the meat processing plant and transportation vehicles
• recording observations and inspections

Are you … ?

• comfortable working with meat and blood?
• interested in health and safety?
• someone with a good eye for detail?
• honest?
• a good communicator?
• someone with farm animal experience?

How do I become a Meat Inspector? 

Details for game harvesting: 

http://www.gamesa.co.za/veterinarian_officers.php?action=meat_inspection

• RED MEAT ABORTOIR ASSOCIATION:

Learnerships:

http://www.rvav.co.za/learnerships.htm

The following learnerships have been identified by the Red Meat sub sector in order to ensure increased food safety and implementation of hygiene management systems:

• General Abattoir Processes (NQF2)
• Abattoir Slaughtering Processes (NQF2)
• Abattoir Supervision (NQF3)
• Meat Examination (NQF4)
• Meat Classification (NQF4)

• INTERNATIONAL MEAT QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES:

http://www.imqas.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=47

• THE MEAT INSPECTION TRAINING CENTRE: (Lobatse, Botswana)

http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries–Authorities/Ministries/MinistryofAgriculture-MOA/Tools–Services/Agricultural-Training/Meat-Inspection-Training-Centre/#8452859848d74b2ba077fa85f0830454

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Butcher or Wool Classer

Is becoming a Meat Inspector the right career choice for me?

See below for more details.