By Kgaugelo Jessica Selane
The transition from university to the workplace is seldom easy, particularly in an industry as fast changing and competitive as media and communication. That was the central message delivered at the Alumni and Industry Experts in Media and Communications Breakfast Talk, hosted by Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Department of Journalism and Integrated Communication, Faculty of Humanities. Hosted at the Soshanguve North Campus, the event saw alumni, seasoned industry professionals and students from first to third year attending.
In her welcome remarks, Dr Maria Mushaathoni, Head of the Department, highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academia and the workplace. She said success in the media today depends not only on classroom learning but also on the mentorship, networks and knowledge-sharing opportunities that events like this provide. “This day is an opportunity to connect, learn and explore how to build a future where media and communication are forces for positive change,” she said, encouraging students to use the platform to engage meaningfully.
During the fist session, TUT alumni reflected on their journeys and the lessons they have learned while breaking into the professional world. Collectively, their message was that qualifications alone are not enough - students must take ownership of their personal development and make themselves stand out. They spoke about perseverance, building networks and identifying strengths early.
Senior Branding and Digital Marketing Specialist, Athenkosi Lolwana, captured this reality, saying: “The market does not care where a person studied communication, what matters is the value you bring.”
Other speakers echoed the importance of using every opportunity, whether in class, community work or online platforms such as LinkedIn, to start developing a professional identity long before graduation.
The second session provided an opportunity to industry experts, who shared a candid view of the challenges and opportunities facing young graduates. Media specialist, Pumza Fihlani, who has more than 20 years of experience across broadcasting, print and digital, did not shy away from the realities of a saturated job market. She stressed that students should not wait for jobs but should rather take advantage of the many platforms available to shape their own careers.
She urged the students to embrace the five critical attributes - curiosity, digital fluency, peer to peer communication, deadline discipline and initiative to ensure success in the workplace. “There may be more graduates than jobs, but this should motivate you to use the platforms at your disposal to create your own career path,” she cautioned students.
Dianne Hawker, a journalist at Deutsche Welle, who has built a career across broadcast, print and multimedia, reinforced her sentiments. She encouraged students to remain flexible and open minded, warning them against limiting themselves to a single pathway in an industry that is constantly evolving. She told them to nurture relationships, treat people with kindness and embrace failure as part of the learning process. “Don’t be short sighted in the media industry. Allow yourself to be the author of your own destiny,” she said.
Industry experts, Pumza Fihlani and Dianne Hawker, who spoke at the event.
For students attending the breakfast talk, it served as much more than a networking opportunity. It was a reality check, offering a window into what awaits beyond the University gates. Alumni reminded them that the journey begins the moment they step into class, while industry experts provided a roadmap for navigating a field that demands constant creativity and initiative.
The Department of Journalism and Integrated Communication demonstrated that preparing students for the future requires more than academic excellence, it also requires mentorship, exposure and a strong sense of agency.
Alumni (left) who spoke during the breakfast and students (right) attending the event.