INSIDE OUR INDUSTRIES
TRYING to decide what to do for the rest of your life can be about as bad as writing a matric mathematics paper.
Where do you start? What factors do you consider? What if you’re not even sure what to do? It can be overwhelming to make such an important choice – which is why we’ve tried to simplify some of the information for you.
Knowing what industry you’re drawn to – and which matches your personality, skills and academic achievements – can put you on track to finding the career path of your dreams.
Here we look at 12 key industries and high light some of the jobs in each.
1 AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
This field covers an array of careers from land to lab to sea.
HORTICULTURIST
A career in horticulture can encompass many things: producing and selling plants for food or decoration, genetic engineering, landscape design, selling plants and advising customers in nurseries, or tending to plants in parks or gardens.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
A national senior certificate (NSC) is required to study for a three-year national diploma in horticulture at a university of technology. You'll need an NSC with matric exemption to study at a university for a Bachelor of Science Agriculture degree, majoring in horticulture.
››STARTING SALARY
R145 000 a year
ZOOLOGIST
A zoologist is a biologist who’s studied living or extinct animals and their environments. In this role you’ll increase scientific knowledge and develop practical applications in wildlife management – such as maintaining wildlife habitats and populations; conservation; agriculture; and medicine – and you can also be involved in protecting endangered animals and their habitats.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
You’ll need to have studied mathematics and physical sciences at school, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology, or in biology, marine biology or environmental biology.
››STARTING SALARY
R200 000 a year
FOOD SCIENTIST
Food science and technology is the study of the chemical and physical properties and components of food and how food responds to processing, preservation and storage.
Food scientists and technologists use their expertise to help produce, process, package, preserve, store, distribute and prepare quality food.
They work in processing plants and laboratories in various sectors of the food industry, with suppliers of goods and services to the food industry.
They also work for retailers such as Checkers; for research bodies such as the South African Bureau of Standards; in industry bodies such as the Meat Industry Council; or for government in the health or agriculture department.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
You'll need to have studied maths, physical sciences and biology or agricultural science at higher grade in matric, followed by either a three-year diploma in food science or technology at a university of technology or a four year Bachelor of Science degree in food science.
››STARTING SALARY
R200 000 a year
FARM MANAGER
You’ll work both outdoors and in an office. Farm managers are responsible for overseeing production of crops or livestock, depending on the type of farm they’re on, as well as planning and overseeing tasks that can include planting corn, birthing calves, looking after equipment and facilities, and managing staff.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Your matric subjects must include mathematics and physical sciences. You'll need a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, dairy science or a related field. Or you could take a three-year diploma or certificate course at a university of technology or a TVET college.
››STARTING SALARY
R180 000 a year
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER
Agricultural engineers find ways to reduce crop loss from damage during handling, sorting, packing and processing.
They also look after how foods are stored in warehouses, by planning the heating, cooling, ventilation and post-harvest logistics that are required to maintain the quality of produce. The job also involves the conservation and management of energy, soil and water resources.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
You’ll need to have studied maths and physical sciences at school. This should be followed by a degree majoring in agricultural engineering or a Bachelor of Science engineering degree, which allows you to register as an engineer in training. After three years of the required practical experience, you’ll be able to register as a professional engineer.
››STARTING SALARY
R440 000 a year
WATER ENGINEER
The job of a water engineer is to ensure that water supplies stay clean and that wastewater and sewage are properly disposed of. Preventing flood damage is another aspect of the job.
You'll design and build structures for water resource control – such as dams and hydroelectric plants – and oversee project construction, monitor technical systems and analyse technical data.
››EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
You’ll need to have studied mathematics and physical sciences in matric.
There are a few ways to get into this field via any of these tertiary qualifications:
›A degree in a relevant subject such as chemical, civil, mechanical or environmental engineering; environmental science; geology; or physical geography.
› A Bachelor of Technology degree from a university of technology in civil engineering (construction management, transport, urban and water).
› A national diploma in civil engineering.
› An NQF level 6 (diploma graduate) qualification in civil engineering.
››STARTING SALARY
R330 000 a year
NATURAL SCIENCES MANAGER
In this part-manager/part-scientist
