Master’s Degree Studies Score Graduate Job Promotions

Master’s Degree Studies Score Graduate Job Promotions

A Master of Commerce in Management graduate’s academic journey earned her more than a qualification – it also got her job promotions!

‘A lot of doors started to open up for me even before I completed the degree which was amazing,’ said Ms Ayanda Nongogo.

‘During my studies, I secured a job and then later a promotion to Deputy Director Management Information at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, in Durban. When I started my master’s, I was working at the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) at the University of Zululand,’ she said. ‘Then, I was promoted to undertake duties for 18 months as an Acting Director responsible for monitoring, evaluation and research. I never saw myself as a researcher but after getting a taste of research through this qualification I will definitely be cementing my mark in the Higher Education space within Institutional Planning initiatives.’

Nongogo’s study, supervised by Professor Pfano Mashau, explored revenue strategies for South Africa’s 26 public universities that encourage graduates’ funding initiatives of work placement and business start-up initiatives.

‘The study’s findings revealed that it is possible for universities to invest in graduates’ initiatives using the profit made from what they produce as the basis of capital to aid a revenue generation strategic objective. That revenue could be used to finance the investment needed to fund graduates’ entrepreneurship or business start-ups and work placement programmes at university,’ said Nongogo.

She said her findings could enhance knowledge about innovative strategies for Higher Education career development and student entrepreneurship. 

‘These strategic ingredients are required and such bold strategic initiatives would strengthen universities in being impactful participants in the world of work beyond the known scope of focus,’ said Nongogo.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini