Graduates: what personal life?

Johannesburg - South Africa's future earners would rather live to work than work to live, according to an annual students' survey.

Although graduates are driven to succeed and want to dedicate long hours to their work, "in reality they don't know how difficult that is", said Vanessa Addison, research manager at Magnet Communications.

Magnet Communications conducts an annual student survey with respondents from 23 tertiary institutions in South Africa.

Of the total 19 000 South African students that were polled, 40% wanted to be leaders in their respective fields, and 38% required their careers to be competitive as well as intellectually stimulating.

The survey indicated that individuals' career goals are industry- or faculty-specific. Balancing work and personal life is a more popular career goal among those who study humanities and the health sciences, at 37% and 38% respectively.

On the other hand, students in faculties such as commerce, engineering, law and the sciences pride themselves on working in a competitive and challenging environment.

The battle of the sexes

According to the survey, both male and female students list their top priority career goal as becoming leaders in their given fields.

However, as second and third preferences, women valued their personal and social lives more than men; 38% of women wanted to balance the work-personal life dynamic, and 37% wanted to be dedicated to a greater cause (social responsibility).

Having an intellectually challenging job was the second-highest priority for men, chosen by 37% of males; 33% wanted to have an international career.

Black students want leadership positions, according to the survey, while their white counterparts are more interested in keeping their professional and personal lives separate.

"Career goals reflect past inequalities," said Addison, evidenced by 46% of black males wanting to be leaders and managers in their respective fields.

In a recent interview Lindie Engelbrecht, Institute of Directors CE in South Africa, said that due to the lack of qualified black men and women in South Africa many companies "revert to hiring the usual suspects".

Addison said: "It's important to note that these are first-generation students". As a result, they really want to prove to their families and communities that they have what it takes to become future leaders and achievers. "It's a pride thing as well," she added.

Addison pointed out that people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds wanted to climb the corporate ladder more quickly, whereas more privileged individuals still retain the sense that they will end up in leadership positions, thus opting for more stability and balance in the short run.

The variety of responses from campuses across South Africa was astounding, and companies searching for future employees should bear this in mind, said Addison. Students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, for example, were keen on achieving so that they could give back to the rural communities from which many of them hail.

- Fin24.com