In October 2024, a second-year Data Science student at Botho University’s Botswana campus was named the winner of the Career Growth Passport (CGP) program. Designed and implemented by the university’s Student Affairs Department, the Career Growth Passport functions as an employability journal, guiding students through their academic journey at Botho.
The program features an exciting year-long bucket list of tasks designed to help students develop essential employability skills in line with the competencies outlined in the Botho Graduate Profile. High-achieving students are rewarded with fantastic benefits, including exclusive professional development opportunities. (You can read more about the CGP here). Over the years, the program has attracted significant partnerships, including collaboration with The Education Collaborative, which provides these invaluable opportunities to top-performing students.
As the highest-scoring participant, Siddarth received an exclusive invitation to attend the 2024 East Africa Hub Convening of The Education Collaborative, held in October 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This event offered Siddarth a unique platform to engage with educational leaders from across the region.
We caught up with him during the convening to learn more about his journey and experiences in Dar es Salaam, including his time volunteering in the local community. Additionally, we spoke with Phatsimo Mosimanegape, a representative from Botho University’s Student & Alumni Affairs Department, to delve deeper into the program’s impact and success stories.
Tell us about yourself Siddarth
I am currently a second-year student at Botho University, studying Data Science (BSc in Data Science).
Tell us about the Career Growth Passport
The Career Growth Passport is an empowering employability project run by the Student & Alumni Affairs Department at Botho University. This initiative aims to equip students with enhanced employability and entrepreneurial skills.
The program encourages personal growth by presenting a variety of tasks that push us out of our comfort zones. Skills developed through this initiative include effective communication, collaboration with peers, digital literacy, environmental responsibility, hard work, positivity, confidence, and social responsibility.
The program comes with a handy guidebook that has been my constant companion throughout the journey. Although it’s no longer in pristine condition because I carry it with me everywhere—even on my trip to Tanzania—it has been instrumental in my development. By applying the lessons in the guidebook, I’ve improved my ability to engage with friends and colleagues and refined my mindset significantly.
How were you selected as a winner?
The Career Growth Passport operates on a reward system where completing tasks earns you points. I was fortunate to be recognized as the top scorer among first-year students after completing all the tasks. My rewards included a certificate, branded merchandise like a shirt and hat, and this unforgettable trip to Tanzania!
From a technical perspective, how was the Career Growth Passport designed?
As Siddarth mentioned, the Student Affairs Department focused on creating a profile of essential soft skills highly sought after by employers. Through extensive research and industry engagement, we identified over 1,200 highly sought after skills.
To ensure students fully develop these skills, we designed the Career Growth Passport as a practical sentimental toolkit with structured tasks. These tasks vary in difficulty, beginning with foundational activities like learning to introduce oneself to lecturers in the first year and gradually progressing to more complex challenges in the final years, such as leading a team project, delivering a professional presentation to industry experts, or organizing a community outreach initiative. These advanced tasks are designed to simulate real-world scenarios, ensuring students not only build confidence but also demonstrate their readiness for the workplace. For example, final-year students might be tasked with creating a comprehensive business plan, pitching it to a panel of judges, or mentoring junior students to develop leadership and coaching skills. The program not only rewards students for completed tasks but also offers exclusive access to valuable opportunities like volunteering and professional development resources, all of which can significantly enhance their career readiness and prospects.
Back to you Siddarth – What were your expectations when you were told you had won the competition?
Honestly, it was a mix of feelings. I was both excited and nervous. I was also confused at the same time because I had never been to Tanzania before. So, I immediately shared the news with my parents who were also very excited.
I was nervous about traveling abroad and unsure of what to expect. But I told myself that this was an opportunity to step out of my shell, expand my horizons, and become a better person. I viewed it as a stepping stone to a greater future.
Ahead of the travel date, I did some research. I couldn’t stop dreaming in the days leading up to the trip. I found out about the flight hours and spent nights reading about what I would be doing there and how the Giraffe Hotel looked.
What was your experience like at the 2024 East Africa Convening?
Attending the East Africa Convening was an exhilarating experience! Upon arrival, I participated in a cocktail party where I met many new friends from Kenya and other institutions. As part of the volunteer team, I ensured that all participants received their badges and conference materials while also engaging in all the sessions led by university leaders.
This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me build confidence in interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. The Career Growth Passport truly empowered me to articulate my thoughts better and collaborate effectively with others.
Outside the convening, the experience was equally amazing! There was also a significant moment when I saw the ocean for the first time. Although I had been to beaches before, Botswana is a landlocked country, so we don’t have oceans or sea waves here. It was incredible to see the ocean for the first time! I had such a big smile on my face.
Flying on the plane was also nerve-wracking because I am personally scared of heights. The turbulence made me anxious, but overall, it was an interesting experience.
Winning this competition has been a transformative stepping stone for me—one that I will cherish as I continue my journey toward personal and professional growth!
