UJ Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management

🌟 YOUTH MONTH 2026 | Words of Wisdom from our Lecturers to our Future Leaders 🌟

As part of our Youth Month campaign, we continue to share messages from our academic staff that inspire, encourage, and celebrate the resilience of young people.

Today, we feature a powerful reflection from Ms Lusanda Sekaja, Lecturer in Industrial Psychology:

"This Youth Month, we recognise the quiet strength of first-generation students: carrying their families' hopes while forging new paths, and challenging all of us to build a higher education system where their determination is met with opportunity, not obstacle."

For many first-generation students, pursuing higher education is about more than personal achievement. It is about creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations. Their journeys are often marked by courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future for themselves and their families.

As we celebrate Youth Month, let us acknowledge the sacrifices, determination, and resilience of first-generation students and continue working towards a higher education system that enables every student to thrive.

💬 Tell us: Are you a first-generation student, or do you know someone who is? Share their story or a message of encouragement in the comments.

🚀DON'T JUST LOOK FOR A JOB. PREPARE FOR A CAREER. ✏️

Technical skills matter. But organisations are increasingly looking for professionals who can lead people, manage workplace performance, resolve conflict, develop talent, and create positive organisational cultures.

The in prepares graduates to do exactly that.

Through modules in:
✅ People Management
✅ Employment Relations
✅ Labour Law
✅ Training and Development
✅ Business Management
✅ Payroll and Workplace Practice
you will gain practical knowledge that can be applied across a wide range of industries and organisations.

In a world where people remain an organisation's greatest asset, professionals who understand how to unlock human potential are in high demand.

📈 Invest in your future.
📚 Advance your qualifications.
🚀 Position yourself for career growth.

Take the next step with the Advanced Diploma in People Performance Management.

Apply today! https://www.uj.ac.za/admission-aid/postgraduate/

💡 Did you know?

HR professionals do much more than recruit employees. They help organisations build strong teams, develop future leaders, improve performance, and create workplaces where people can succeed.

If you're passionate about people and want a career that combines business, leadership, and strategy, the Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Online) could be the perfect fit.

✨ What makes this programme stand out?
💻 Fully online learning
📚 Flexible study opportunities
🚀 Career-focused skills
🌍 Preparation for modern workplaces

Career opportunities:
✔ HR Personnel Manager
✔ HR Personnel Officer
✔ Training Manager
✔ Recruitment & Selection Officer

📌 Admission Requirements:
• APS of 28
• English 4 (50%)
• Mathematics/Technical Mathematics 4 (50%) OR Mathematical Literacy 5 (60%)

Apply Today: https://www.uj.ac.za/university-courses/bachelor-of-human-resource-management-2/

People are every organisation's greatest asset. Learn how to help them thrive.

🌟 YOUTH MONTH 2026 | Words of Wisdom from our Lecturers to our Future Leaders 🌟

As part of our Youth Month campaign, we continue to share insights from our academic staff to inspire young people as they navigate their personal and professional journeys.

Next, we asked the following question to , Professor in our Department and Deputy HOD: HRM, and she answered as follows:

"What is the most important lesson you've learned that every young person should know?"

"Life is like a communal bus ride. Though we travel with co-passengers whom we encounter along the way, our overall journeys remain incomparable. Get off the bus too soon, and you might never find the way to your designated stops (milestones). Miss your stops, and you might forfeit your destiny. Stay on the bus too long, and you might become a vagabond, never reaching your next assignment in time. So, enjoy the ride with others, but never forget there is only one destiny that looks like yours. Learn from others, but never be fixated on what they are doing."

In an age when it is easy to compare our lives to others', this message reminds us that every person's journey is unique. While we may share experiences, classrooms, workplaces, and communities, our paths and purposes are not the same.

Youth Month is an opportunity to celebrate your own journey, embrace your growth, learn from those around you, and trust that your milestones will come in their own time.

💬 Tell us: What helps you stay focused on your own journey instead of comparing yourself to others?

📌Want to make a difference in people's lives while building a successful career?

Human Resource professionals help employees grow, support workplace wellbeing, develop talent, and create environments where people can thrive.

The of ( ) gives you the knowledge and skills to become part of the team that shapes the future of work.

✨ Why choose this programme?
💻 Fully online learning
📈 In-demand career opportunities
🌍 Skills relevant to modern workplaces
🎓 A qualification focused on people and performance

Career opportunities:
✔ HR Personnel Manager
✔ HR Personnel Officer
✔ Training Manager
✔ Recruitment & Selection Officer

📌 Admission Requirements:
• APS of 28
• English 4 (50%)
• Mathematics/Technical Mathematics 4 (50%) OR Mathematical Literacy 5 (60%)

Today: https://www.uj.ac.za/university-courses/bachelor-of-human-resource-management-2/

Your future career could start with helping others reach their potential.

🌟 YOUTH MONTH 2026 | Words of Wisdom from our Lecturers to our future leaders 🌟

As part of our campaign, we continue to share inspiring messages from our academic staff to encourage and empower the next generation of leaders.

Next we feature advice from , Head of the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management (IPPM):

"You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are the change-makers of today."

Young people have the power to make a difference right now—through their ideas, actions, innovation, and commitment to creating positive change in their communities, workplaces, and society.

Youth Month is a reminder that leadership is not defined by age or title. It begins when you choose to take initiative, use your voice, and contribute to a better future.

The future is being shaped today, and young people are helping to lead the way.

💬 Tell us: How are you making a positive impact in your community, workplace, or campus?

🌟 YOUTH MONTH 2026 | Words of Wisdom from our Lecturers to our future leaders🌟

Throughout , we are sharing insights from our lecturers to inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and professionals.

Next, we feature advice from Prof Carin Hill, Professor in the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management (IPPM):

"One of the most important lessons I've learned is that your first plan is not your only plan. Dream big, work hard, and don't be discouraged when things don't go as expected. Some of life's best opportunities come from adapting, learning, and trying again."

Success is rarely a straight path. The ability to adapt, learn from challenges, and remain open to new possibilities often leads to opportunities we never imagined.

As we celebrate Youth Month, remember that setbacks do not define your future. Sometimes a change in direction is exactly what leads you to where you are meant to be.

💬 Tell us: Have you ever discovered a better opportunity because your original plan changed?

🚀 Love working with people? Turn that passion into a career!

The of ( ) gives you the skills to help organisations find great talent, develop employees, build positive workplace cultures, and drive business success.

💻 Study online from anywhere.
📚 Learn practical HR skills.
🌍 Prepare for exciting career opportunities.

Career options include:
✨ HR Personnel Manager
✨ HR Personnel Officer
✨ Training Manager
✨ Recruitment & Selection Officer

📌 Admission Requirements:
✔ APS of 28
✔ English 4 (50%)
✔ Mathematics/Technical Mathematics 4 (50%) OR Mathematical Literacy 5 (60%)

Today: https://www.uj.ac.za/university-courses/bachelor-of-human-resource-management-2/

The future of work needs people who understand people.

Start your journey towards an exciting HR career today!

🌟 YOUTH MONTH 2026 | Words of Wisdom from our Lecturers to our future leaders 🌟

Throughout Youth Month, we are inviting lecturers from the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management (IPPM) to share their advice and words of wisdom with the next generation of leaders, professionals, and change-makers.

This week, we feature advice from Ms Ashley Jacobs-Pholosi, Assistant Lecturer in the Department of IPPM:

"The future belongs to young people who dare to try, fail, learn, persevere, and grow – rather than stand still in fear of judgment."

Growth does not happen without courage. Every achievement begins with a first step, every success story includes setbacks, and every leader has learned through experience.

As we celebrate Youth Month, we encourage young people to embrace opportunities, learn from challenges, and continue growing into the people they aspire to become.

💬 What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Share it with us in the comments.