IN CONVERSATION WITH ANGELINE SEWELA PHOKO, A CAREER ADVISOR AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Research shows that inadequate career guidance before university often leaves young people entering higher education without a clear study plan, leading them to enrol in programmes simply because they are available rather than aligned with their interests or strengths. Adding to this recent analysis of the 2025 matric results and university admissions reveals that many learners do not meet the requirements for their preferred degrees, forcing them to change course or accept alternative programmes. For some students, these redirected paths, combined with challenges such as under-preparedness and performance pressures, contribute to academic exclusion with long-term effects that can reshape career trajectories entirely.