Rhodes University is committed to enhancing graduate success by ensuring that students are informed, prepared, and supported as they navigate academic life, career decision-making, and the transition into the world of work. While the Career Centre offers a range of high-impact services and programmes, student uptake and early engagement are often limited by awareness gaps, accessibility, and peer-level reach.

The Career Champions Programme is conceptualised as a peer-led, ambassador-style initiative that positions selected students as trusted connectors between the Career Centre and the broader student body. Drawing on the power of peer influence and lived student experience, the programme aims to embed career development more deeply into the everyday student journey.

By empowering students to champion career readiness, opportunities, and entrepreneurship within their faculties, residences, and societies, the programme strengthens a culture of proactive career planning and shared responsibility for graduate success.

The primary purpose of the Career Champions Programme is to extend the reach and impact of the Career Centre by leveraging trained student leaders to promote career development, employability, and opportunity awareness across campus.

The programme seeks to:

• Increase student awareness of Career Centre services and opportunities
• Encourage early and sustained engagement with career development
• Create accessible, peer-supported career conversations
• Strengthen the culture of career readiness at Rhodes University

The specific objectives of the programme are to:

• Recruit and train a diverse cohort of student Career Champions
• Equip Career Champions with foundational career development knowledge
• Support peer-to-peer dissemination of career information and opportunities
• Improve student participation in career programmes and initiatives
• Establish a visible, relatable career development presence across campus

Last Modified: Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:47:46 SAST