About Us
At the UCT Careers Service, we empower students and graduates to navigate their career journeys, bridging the gap between academia and the world of work. Our dynamic team operates across several strategic portfolios to deliver innovative, data-informed support that ensures our graduates are well-prepared for meaningful, future-focused careers.
Careers Service Director
The UCT Careers Service, led by Stafford Bomester, provides strategic leadership focused on student success and employability. He ensures alignment with UCT’s academic mission and labour market trends, while fostering collaboration across faculties, industry, and stakeholders to create inclusive career opportunities. Under his guidance, the service uses data and partnerships to prepare students for meaningful and impactful futures.
Graduate Recruitment (GR)
The Graduate Recruitment team supports UCT students' employment readiness by integrating labour market trends into academics and building key career skills. Central to their work is employer partnership including the Employer Partnership Programme, which fosters strategic partnerships that enable recruitment, internships, and career events. Employer input shapes career initiatives, aligning graduate skills with workforce needs and strengthening the link between study and employment.
Career Advisory
Our Career Development Consultants support students and recent graduates with tailored career education for up to three years post-graduation. Through consultations, workshops, and resources, we build key skills like CV writing, interviewing, and networking. We also collaborate with academics to embed career learning into the curriculum, helping students connect their studies with future goals. This integrated approach enhances career clarity, motivation, and academic success.
Operations, Communication, Digital and Entrepreneurship
This integrated portfolio manages the core operations of the Careers Service, ensuring smooth support across admin, marketing, IT, HR, and finance. Focused on efficiency and continuous improvement, the team enhances systems and extends the service’s impact through digital innovation and strategic communication.
The Entrepreneurship portfolio fosters an entrepreneurial mindset by offering resources, workshops, mentorship, and funding access. It connects students with ecosystems like incubators and industry partners, empowering them to drive innovation and become job creators.
Strategic Projects and Programmes
This portfolio drives initiatives that boost student success and employability beyond the classroom, linking academics with industry needs and future skills. Key projects include the UCT Plus Programme, the Graduate Exit Survey, and UCDG-funded Graduate Tracker Tracer projects. These efforts use data to inform strategy, improve curricula, and prepare students for life after university.
CHED
The Careers Service’s direct reporting line is within the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) which is a cohesive, cross faculty structure working in partnership with all six UCT Faculties. The Dean of CHED reports directly to the Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for teaching and learning at UCT which is important for us to achieve our vision of enabling careers education, information, advice and guidance embedded within the curriculum in faculties.
