OFO No: 263507

Other names for Social Worker:

• Adoptions Worker
• Clinical Social Worker
• Forensic Social Worker
• Health Care Social Worker
• Occupational Social WorkerReintegration Worker
• School Social Worker

Important!

‘Social work is not just a career, it’s a calling! Students who REALLY want to follow this profession must be very passionate about helping disadvantaged SA communities with all their problems regardless where they are, especially in rural communities’ – Moqueloa Mothopeng, Project Manager: Scholarship Programme: National Department of Social Development.

What is a Social Worker?

A Social Worker helps individuals, families or communities to overcome challenges.

These challenges could be:

• Addiction – (drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex etc)
• Abuse – (physical or emotional)
• Disabilities
• Old Age
  
• Poverty
• Education
• Health
• Safety etc

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Family and School Social Worker Career Overview

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Health Social Work Career Overview

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Careers Overview

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What does a Social Worker do?

• meets with clients, families, groups or communities to discuss problems
• interviews and collects information
• analyses this information
• designs programmes to help them reach their goals
• monitors success of programmes
• organises life skill workshops or substance abuse programmes
• keeps in contact with healthcare professionals, teachers, community leaders etc
• provides crisis intervention
• sources emergency shelter when required
• keeps in contact with the law and order officials
• keeps detailed records
  

Are you . . . ?

• caring?
• dedicated?
• passionate about helping people, no matter what?
• a hard worker?
• emotionally stable?
• a person with a positive attitude?
• a motivator?
• understanding?
• a good communicator?
• a good listener?

How do I become a Social Worker?

You will need a 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. This degree has both theoretical and practical elements. The practical will take place in the field.

This qualification can be done at most universities of SA.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS (SACSSP)

Once qualified, you will then approach the South African Council for Social Service Professionals (SACSSP) which is the regulating body that registers Social Workers.

The SACSSP encourages Social Workers to have a minimum of four or five years of field work experience before entering into private practice.

http://www.sacssp.co.za/

What Social Work areas can I specialise in?

Specialisations are usually added to your original qualification as you go along.  

263501 Social Counselling Worker

Provides socially related counselling services of a specific nature. May work in a call centre.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Bereavement Counsellor
• Genetic Counsellor
• HIV / Aids Counsellor
• Trauma Counsellor
• Women’s Welfare Organizer

263502 Addictions Counsellor 

Provides support and treatment for people with drug and alcohol dependency problems,
develops strategies which assist them to set goals and affect and maintain change, and
provides community education. 

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
• Gambling Counsellor
• Social Detoxification Worker

263503 Marriage and Family Counsellor 

Assists individuals, couples and families with marriage and relationship difficulties.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Family Court Counsellor
• Family Mediator
• Family Therapist

263504 Rehabilitation Counsellor

Assists physically, mentally and socially disadvantaged people to re-integrate into work and
the community.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Life Coach

263505 Student Counsellor

Provides information and assistance to students, parents and teachers about a wide range
of matters such as students’ personal problems, learning difficulties and special
requirements.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• School Counsellor

263506 Parole or Probation Officer

Supervises parolees who have been placed on probation by court order or released
conditionally from corrective service institutions.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Community Corrections Officer
• Probation Worker 

263508 Child and Youth Care Worker

Assesses protective, developmental and therapeutic needs of a young person, providing
information and acting as a mediator.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Child and Youth Counsellor

263509 Parole Board Member

Evaluates behaviour and formulates an opinion on whether an offender should be released
from prison on parole after serving at least a minimum portion of their sentence as
prescribed by the sentencing judge.

263510 Employee Wellness Practitioner

Assesses physical and/or mental health and well-being of employees e.g. Employee fitness
programs, smoking cessation, nutrition and weight loss counselling, alcohol and drug
dependency counselling.

Alternative Titles and Specialisations:

• Employee Assistance Practitioner

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Addictions Counsellor … or … Foundation Phase School Teacher

Is becoming a Social Worker the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 235301

TESOL/TEFL Teacher

What is a TESOL or TEFL Teacher?

• TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

English is currently used as the world’s primary business language and this means there is a great demand from non-English speaking countries (eg Korea, China, Indonesia, Thailand, etc) to employ either TESOL or TEFL Teachers. And parents want their children to learn.

TRAVEL

TESOL/TEFL Teachers may find work all over the world.  This can be a very exciting career for people who want to explore the world.  Many young people choose to do TESOL/TEFL teaching as part of a gap year before settling down however, some enjoy it so much they embrace this profession and continue to teach English for the rest of their lives.

Some teachers study further and specialise in ‘Business English’ etc. This is branch of English teaching is also in demand and particularly lucrative.

ONLINE

Another option to consider – is to teach English online.  If you have a computer and good internet access you can even teach from the comfort of your own home.

What does a TESOL or TEFL Teacher do?

• Teaches people (from very young to old) for whom English is a foreign language.
• Assesses exactly how difficult it will be for a student to learn English.
  Note: Many employers train their teachers and supply the lesson plans as well as assess the level of the students.
• Researches interesting tried and tested lessons
• Prepares lesson plans
• Designs new teaching materials
• teaches students one-to-one and in small groups
• Teaches students English language skills using a variety of different methods
• Gives homework, sets exams, marks exams and tests
• Gives positive feedback to students, parents or guardians or companies paying for the student’s tuition

Are you . . . ?

• In possession of a degree (preferably a BA English)
• Passionate about English as well being good at English grammar?
• Passionate about teaching?
• A clear speaker without a heavy accent?
• Tolerant and patient?
• Interested in other cultures?
• Creative – be able to design exciting lesson plans?
• Organised?
• A good communicator?
• Happy to live in a non-English speaking country – if you want to work overseas.

How do I become a TESOL or TEFL Teacher?

Many public and private schools offer the TESOL/TEFL programmes that are usually aimed at people who have a Bachelor of Arts degree.

These programmes usually range from 3 months upwards and include practical exercises/teaching as well as theory.

WARNING!

There are a lot of scams being run so please check out that there the training institution:

• a physical address,
• a landline telephone number and
• a registered business with permanent physical business address.
• the lecturers and trainers should also clearly list their qualifications on the TEFL/TESOL website.

This is an international organization with good accreditation and can act as starting point for your search for a reliable source of standards and information:

https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/tefl-tesol-accreditations

Here is a South African Organization:

https://www.tefl-southafrica.co.za/faqs.html

Find an employer

These sites list countries where you can teach and employers.
https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/

https://www.tefl-southafrica.co.za/faqs.html

VIDEO

This is a very informative video by Palessa Jonas, a South African who is teaching in Korea. But she also talks about online teaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61qtAt19QEA

Once you have watched this video, there are many other videos on the YouTube channel which may be useful or at least interesting.

Other names for Handyperson:

• Handy Person 
• Handy Man 
• Hotel Useful 
• Hotel Yardsperson

What is a Handyman / Handyperson?

A Handyperson cleans, paints, repairs and maintains buildings, grounds and facilities. This work may include fixing or repairing mechanical or electrical equipment, machines, heating systems, air conditioning, plumbing etc.

Handypersons usually repair most things, but they also need to recognise when they are unable to fix a problem and should rather call a specialist for assistance.  

They also need to prevent equipment from breaking down or deteriorating by maintaining it.

Handypersons solve small problems before they become large, serious ones.  They keep records of repairs done and the dates when equipment was last repaired or inspected.  This helps them establish a timetable for inspecting and repairing, e.g. for replacing filters and oiling moving parts on machinery.

Traditionally, this kind of work used to be reserved for men, but women are fast making their way into the industry.  That is why the term handyman was changed to Handyperson.
Handypersons are usually employed by both the government (national, provincial or local) and the private sector (maintenance companies). 

Handypersons work in hospitals, colleges, offices, apartment buildings, factories, schools, stores and malls. 

In small institutions, they are responsible for any kind of care and upkeep, while in larger establishments they usually specialise in a particular field.
Some may even start their own business.

What does a Handyman / Handyperson do?

• repairs broken windows, doors, fences, tables, shelves, cupboards etc
• replaces defective items
• fixes, sands and paintssurfaces indoors and outdoors
• clears away rubbish
• mows lawns
• adjusts and hanging doors
• replaces tap washers
• puts up handrails etc etc
• does routine maintenance
• keeps records

Are you . . .?

• practical?
• helpful?
• mechanically minded?
• physically strong?
• healthy?
• a person who understands directions?
• able to work in dirty or unpleasant surroundings?
• willing to work, in often, hazardous areas?
• service orientated?

How do I become a Handyman / Handyperson?

You don’t need formal education to become a Handyperson, however, Handypersons in senior positions are expected to have a matric certificate and in most cases, have done a diploma course at a University of Technology or FET college.

• PROTECH TRAINING
  

Offers various courses, learnerships and apprenticeships:   

• HANDYMAN COURSES

Offers Basic, Advanced and Hospitality training courses. 

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Electrician … or … Locksmith

Is becoming a Handyman / Handyperson the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 516304

What is a Mortician?

A Mortician works in a funeral parlour. A Mortician can also be the Embalmer and/or the funeral Director.

A Mortician prepares the body/corpse to make to make it look as life like and as natural as possible for the funeral. In some cases this can be very hard work, if the body has been disfigured through accident or disease. If the corpse is too damaged, the body will not have an open coffin to save funeral goers undo emotional stress.

What does a Mortician do?

• discusses requests from family of how they want the body prepared
• collects the dead body from a home, hospital or morgue
• keeps body cool under refrigeration
• washes the body using soap and disinfectant
• drains all fluids from the body (blood, urine etc)
• fills blood vessels with tinted embalming fluid (preserves body for funeral)
• dresses the corpse and adds appropriate accessories
• arranges the hair and does make up
• paints finger nails if family wants it done
• if body is damaged – uses reconstructive methods to make body look right
• delivers body to the funeral / graveyard / crematorium

Are you . . . ?

• respectful?
• emotionally stable?
• understanding and empathic?
• observant?
• detail orientated?
• a good communicator?
• a good listener?
• creative?

How do I become a Mortician?

You will need a qualification.

CLICK HERE for SAQA’s registered qualifications.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Embalmer or Make Up Artist

Is becoming a Mortician the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 263201

Other names for Anthropologist:

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – The Career of an Anthropologist

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is an Anthropologist?

Anthropologists examine, analyze, report on and compare different cultures and how they grow, develop, and interact. How people live offers insights into modern life and how significantly (or, more often, how little) we have changed and how similar we are in our basic systems of interaction.

Anthropologists can travel to exotic lands and spend time in primitive conditions or work in developed countries comparing regional concerns.

For example: Cultural Anthropologists may compare the culture of the medical world to that of the financial world, or the culture of professional athletes to that of legal professionals.

Some Anthropologists take a cross-disciplinary approach by studying linguistics, chemistry, nutrition, or behavioural science, and apply the methodologies of those disciplines to their study of culture.

What does an Anthropologist do?

• writes
• edits
• does fieldwork
• teaches
• consults with other professionals
• produces papers for professional journals

Athropologist usually rely on grant funding for income. Successful Anthropologists quickly learn successful grant-writing skills, find areas of unexplored anthropological concern, and publish articles, essays, and books as early and as often as they can. Most Anthropologists are employed by universities. They teach and review others’ work.

Are you . . . ?

• non-judgmental?
• interessted in different people, their cultures and beliefs?
• inquisitive?
• in good health?
• able to work long hours away from home?
• patient?
• able to work on your own?
• able to write well?
• analytical?

How do I become an Anthropologist?

One usually studies a BA or BSocSc programme with a Major in Social Anthropology.

A variety of universities in SA offer this course.  

Here are a few examples:

•     UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
•     UWC
•     UNISA
•     UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

Anthropology is a competitive field, and those who want to succeed in it must find creative ways of having their skills recognized.

Minimum requirements: National Senior Certificate endorsed for a Degree

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Antique Dealer or Palaeontologist

Is becoming an Anthropologist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 221207

Other names for Pathologist:

• Clinical Cytopathologist
• Forensic Biologist
• Forensic Pathologist
• Forensic Scientist
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Immunologist

What is a Pathologist?

A Pathologist is a specialist medical job.

A Pathologist works in laboratory. The perform tests on samples of tissue, blood and body secretions to determine illness or disease. These samples can be from live people.

In South Africa, a Pathologist could work for hospitals, government (police) or for companies like PathCare, Ampath or Lancet for instance.

A Forensic Pathologist will use samples from corpses to determine cause of death or to determine whether the person was murdered.

What does a Pathologist do?

• performs various laboratory tests of samples from live bodies
• studies the nature of diseases
• provides laboratory information to medical professionals

What does a Forensic Pathologist do?

• studies the corpse
• does experiments
• determines reasons for death
• writes reports
• provides legal teams with necessary evidence
• may appear in court as expert witness

Are you  . . . ?

• interested in science and biology?
• passionate about working in a lab?
• a problem solver?
• detail orientated?
• observant?
• a logical thinker?
• dedicated?
• methodical and systematic?
• not grossed out with body samples and/or corpses

How do I become a Pathologist?

You will need a qualification.

You will need to study to become a General Medical Practitioner and then, once qualified, practice as a doctor in a private practice, hospital or clinic.

After completing your 2 years, you will need to complete a Master’s degree in Medicine (Pathology)

• University of Cape Town
• University of KZN
• University of Pretoria
• University of the Free State
• University of Witwatersrand

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• HEALTH PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL of SOUTH AFRICA (HPCSA)

HPCSA registration is compulsory from the first year of your medical studies to qualifying and practising as a Pathologist.

Registration categories are:

1. Student
2. Intern
3. Community Service
4. Private Practice

http://www.hpcsa.co.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Mortician or Phlebotomist

Is becoming a Pathologist the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 142104

What is a Post Office Manager?

A Post Office Manager is the person who is in charge of a Post Office. They will be responsible for the efficient running of the office as well as manage the staff.

What does a Post Office Manager do?

• supervises the activities of workers
• negotiate contracts with companies who need large postal deliveries
• implements safety and security programs
• does paperwork
• schedules and monitors transport: pickup, delivery, or distribution of post and parcels
• ensures timely delivery of parcels and post
• co-ordinates logistics from main depots
• deals with customers’ questions and complaints
• maintain equipment / ordering new

Are you . . . ?

• organised?
• a good motivator?
• deadline orientated?
• reliable?
• a hard worker?
• a person with a ‘head for business’?
• a team player?

How do I become a Post Office Manager?

To become a Post Office Manager you would have to have loads of work experience.

You would need a lot of different skills. To be a good Post Office Manager you would need to know as much as possible about all the different departments of the post office.

Post Office Managers are generally older due to this fact. They have spent years and years working to gain all the experience and skills necessary to be promoted to this level.

Post Office Managers are ambitious and hard working.

A business or finance qualification will probably be your best options. After qualifying, it’s up to you to collect experience and skills as you climb up the corporate ladder.

PATH 1

National Certificate in Postal Frontline Service Management

Workplace experience

PATH 2

Relevant workplace experience

Diploma in Management

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• Universitiy of Johannesburg
• UNISA
• University of the Free State
• University of Zululand 
• Walter Sisulu University

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Actuary … or … Entrepreneur

Is becoming a Post Office Manager the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 264303

What is a Linguist?

A Linguist studies a language or languages. These can be modern or ancient languages. These studies can be both theoretical as well as practical.

Examples of theoretical studies:

• Grammar – (the structure of a language)
• Syntax – (arrangement of words & phrases)
• Semantics – (meaning of words & phrases)
• Origin – (history of a word or phrase)
• Phonetics – (the sound of a language)

Examples of practical studies are found in careers such as:

• Translator
• Speech Therapist
• Language Teacher
• Interpreter etc

A person who can speak a lot of different languages may also be called a Linguist.

What does a Linguist do?

• studies languages – (grammar, syntax, spelling, etc)
• researches history of words and phrases
• studies the sounds of languages
• researches and monitors the changes languages over time
• keeps up to date with new words

Are you . . . ?

• interested in languages?
• a good communicator?
• a good speller?
• interested in research?
• detail orientated?
• organised?

How do I become a Linguist?

You will need a strong passion for languages.

A Bachelor’s Arts (BA) degree in Linguistics can be done at most of SA universities including UNISA (distance learning). Look under the faculty Humanities.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• SOUTH AFRICAN APPLIED LINGUISTICS ASSOCATION (SAALA)

http://www.saala.org.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Copywriter, Crime Reporter and Scriptwriter

Is becoming a Linguist the right career choice for me?

Authors & Writers

CLICK HERE

for more info about this career

OFO No: 516303

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – The Career of an Embalmer

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is an Embalmer?

An Embalmer works in the funeral industry.

Their main job is to prepare dead bodies so that they slow down or resist decay. This is important if the funeral is only taking place in a few days or few weeks. The body needs to be preserved in a ‘natural looking’ state as NOT to shock funeral goers when they look in the coffin.

Embalmers use chemical solutions to disinfect, preserve and restore corpses. This chemical solution cleanses and disinfects the body as well as removes gases and liquids in the organs.

In some smaller funeral parlours, the funeral director may also be the embalmer.

What does an Embalmer do?

• stores dead bodies under refrigeration
• washes the body
• injects embalming fluid (chemicals) into the body

Are you . . . ?

• emotionally stable?
• able to work with dead bodies?
• reliable and responsible?
• a good communicator?
• understanding?
• caring?
• respectful?

How do I become an Embalmer?

You will need a qualification.

CLICK HERE for SAQA’s registered qualifications.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Coffin Maker or Funeral Director

Is becoming an Embalmer the right career choice for me?