Deciding which career path to venture down these days can be bewildering. So-in-so is studying this, your best friend is considering that, and the internet – awash with so many courses – is clouding your judgement.
Hang on. You know you’re good with people and you want to help others. You picture yourself in a managerial role or possibly working in the mental health arena. Yes, there are lots of institutions out there that offer compatible qualifications, but how practical are they? More importantly, what kind of work experience do they offer?
Real life rewards
Enter SACAP. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is a key component in many of the qualifications SACAP has to offer. Practical experience is an invaluable opportunity to apply the knowledge students have learned in class in a ‘real world’ environment.
As this kind of application of skills is a game-changer, especially in the job-searching stakes, we like to showcase the success WIL invites. So, we chatted to Ilana Gerschlowitz, Managing Director at Star Academy, where several SACAP students have gained invaluable practical experience before graduating.
Partnering up
Star Academy is a centre for autism with academies throughout South Africa and other parts of Africa, too. SACAP’s association with the organization as a placement partner spans over 10 years.
In view of our lasting alliance with Star Academy, we thought it fitting that Ilana share her thoughts on the partnership. This is what she has to say…
Learning the ropes
“Our collaboration with SACAP has been a successful partnership,” Ilana says when we catch up briefly with her. “Numerous SACAP students have benefitted greatly from their practical placement at Star Academy over the years.”
Students have gained a huge amount from the real-world application the experience affords, she asserts. “Including learning about the autism diagnosis, how the diagnosis affects the whole family, how to work in a team, and how to interact with special needs parents.”
“In addition,” Ilana continues, “managing and understanding challenging behaviours, and teaching developmental skill acquisition has been a focus.”
Specialised training
“Primarily, students have been trained to work as specialised tutors with children with autism based on the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) teaching methodology,” Ilana says.
ABA therapy helps children with autism learn skills that aim to lessen problematic behaviour. Its methodology works off the premise that by reinforcing good behaviour, kids will be more inclined to repeat positive actions.
Through the principles of ABA, Ilana notes, the Star Academy team delivers a customized programme for each child aimed at addressing their unique challenges and delays.
Learning about childhood development and how to implement ABA principles to teach learners with autism has been a key objective for WIL students, too, Ilana adds.
Mutual relationship
“My experience working with SACAP students has been good,” Ilana says. “After receiving one-on-one instruction at our academies, SACAP students have demonstrated competency to work with autistic children.”
“I do feel the collaboration will continue in the future,” she concludes, “and I look forward to maintaining a synergistic relationship with SACAP.”
Winning formula
There’s no question that practical experience is a trump card for graduates in the employment game. To move forward and to succeed in the real-world application of skills, though, students should have sound theoretical knowledge, too.
Fortunately, SACAP offers the best of both worlds. Renowned for its academic excellence, SACAP has a network of wonderful WIL placements sites that offer supervised mentorship in various competencies. Still debating which career path to venture down? WIL is an invaluable asset that truly sets SACAP students apart. What’s more, WIL modules feature in most of SACAP’s world-class psychology courses. Check them out now.
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