Crawford Times 61
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There are obviously many benefits of doing job<br />
shadowing:<br />
in the Grade 11 year. This counts 20% towards the<br />
UP Merit Point Score in order to gain selection at<br />
Onderstepoort, the location of the Veterinary Science<br />
Faculty. Depending on the programme the candidate<br />
has applied for, the evidence of career shadowing<br />
and recommendation by a veterinarian or veterinary<br />
nurse must include exposure to farm and food animal<br />
practices, a big variety of wild game practices, small<br />
animal private practices and also job shadowing at a<br />
state veterinary office. Onderstepoort is so specific about<br />
these prescribed hours spent working with animals, that<br />
the list includes the observation of an animal being killed<br />
for humane purposes, an animal giving birth and also an<br />
animal being slaughtered. A serious candidate should be<br />
prepared to spend about 200 to 300 hours working with<br />
animals prior to applying.<br />
Especially If a high school learner has grown up in a<br />
city, it can be very useful first to do some job shadowing<br />
if there is an interest in degrees such as the BSc Agric<br />
Animal Science, BAgric in Wildlife Management, B<br />
Agric in Animal Production Management or the Diploma<br />
in Animal Health.<br />
I’ve sometimes found that without the benefit of job<br />
shadowing, a student from the northern provinces can (in<br />
some cases) be unrealistic about studying in disciplines<br />
such as ichthyology (study of fish), fishery science,<br />
marine biology, ocean and atmospheric science.<br />
Other degrees at most universities, where compulsory job<br />
shadowing of a minimum of at least 16 hours is required,<br />
include the Bachelor of Dental Sciences, Oral Health<br />
Sciences, Emergency Medical Care, Complementary<br />
Medicine, Podiatry, Chiropractic, Optometry, Biokinetics,<br />
Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy.<br />
It’s also recommended for applicants who are interested<br />
in a Bachelor in Diagnostic Radiography, Diagnostic<br />
Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy,<br />
Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Nursing.<br />
In addition, learners should also be aware of the job<br />
shadowing requirements for the Bachelor of Science in<br />
Dietetics, Nutrition, Food Science, Culinary Studies, the<br />
Bachelor of Environmental Health and the Bachelor of<br />
Health Sciences in Dietetics.<br />
Choosing the most suitable areas for job shadowing<br />
can be quite daunting for a school learner and parents,<br />
given the limited time that a Grade 10 and 11 learner<br />
has available. It is for this reason that professional career<br />
If it was not for job shadowing, my friend in<br />
Minnesota would most probably never have achieved<br />
the level of success and the satisfaction that he got<br />
from serving in the US Army. There are many job<br />
shadowing opportunities available in South Africa, so<br />
it’s very wise to use it as a launch pad for your future!<br />
counselling is recommended, starting the process as early<br />
as in Grade 9. An integral part of the process should be<br />
selecting the correct package of school subjects, being<br />
informed about the job shadowing requirements for<br />
each degree, selecting the most suitable areas and then<br />
planning the whole process of job shadowing, including<br />
the involvement of parents. Job shadowing in South<br />
Africa should normally take place during Grade 10 and<br />
11, as often it is too late to attempt in Grade 12, with the<br />
exception of students taking a gap year after Matric.<br />
There are now many programmes, institutions and<br />
individuals that can assist with job shadowing. One<br />
such example is the highly rated Clinical Shadowing<br />
Programme, known as The Apprentice Doctor, initiated<br />
by the well-known Dr. Anton Scheepers, a practicing<br />
Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon. The programme is<br />
mainly offered at the Union Netcare Hospital in Alberton<br />
and includes 15 days of daily shadowing of medical<br />
professionals with intensive mentoring. An advantage of<br />
the programme is that it also caters for students who wish<br />
to study in the USA or Canada. For this reason, daily<br />
group reflections and written reports of observation are<br />
undertaken with teaching sessions on how to prepare for<br />
medical schools.<br />
One of my most recommended job shadowing<br />
programmes is known as the SSISA Sport Science<br />
Programme run by UCT. It’s a two-day programme for<br />
learners who are interested in getting into the sports<br />
science and fitness industry.<br />
www.profzaknel.co.za<br />
Handy contacts<br />
Clinical Shadowing Programme – The Apprentice<br />
Doctor: www.theapprenticedoctor.com/south-afr-intstudents<br />
SSISA Sport Science Programme (UCT):<br />
www.sissa.com<br />
Every child a masterpiece | 71
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