BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MBABANE – A university qualification may open the door to employment, but it is professional discipline, confidence, communication and the ability to adapt that can determine whether a young graduate succeeds once inside the workplace.
This is the message from Institute of People Management (IPM) Eswatini President Sharon Maziya, who says the gap between academic learning and workplace expectations continues to leave some young people struggling to adjust when they secure their first professional opportunity.
Maziya was speaking on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, ahead of the annual IPM Students Convention scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at the Institute of Development Management (IDM) in Matsapha.
The convention, held under the theme “From Graduate to Professional: Identity, Confidence, and Impact in the Real World,” seeks to prepare students, interns and graduates for the realities of employment by connecting classroom knowledge with practical professional skills.
Maziya said the annual initiative was designed to address the difficult transition from education to employment, particularly because employers often expect young recruits to adapt quickly and contribute without requiring extensive guidance.
“The important thing for IPM to have this conference every single year is that we are able to bridge the gap between corporate expectations and what the students learn in the classroom setting,” Maziya said.
She explained that while universities and colleges equip students with academic and theoretical knowledge, many workplace realities are not necessarily taught in classrooms.
These include punctuality, professional communication, workplace etiquette, meeting deadlines, report writing, appropriate dressing and understanding how to conduct oneself around colleagues, managers and clients.
According to Maziya, some graduates experience a major adjustment when they enter employment because they are suddenly expected to operate within a structured and fast-paced environment where employers may not have the time to teach them basic professional conduct.
“It becomes a shocker when you actually start working that discipline – if it’s an 8-to-5 job, it means exactly you start working at 8:00, you’re not leaving home at 8:00,” she said.
Maziya said young professionals needed to understand that their behaviour and attitude could be just as important as their academic qualifications.
She said the way a person speaks, dresses, communicates, responds to instructions and interacts with colleagues can shape their professional reputation.
The IPM president also urged students to take internships, attachments and other workplace opportunities seriously, encouraging them not to measure the value of an opportunity solely by whether it comes with financial compensation.
“Just being there and learning, finding your way around, is an investment in itself,” she said.
The Students Convention will bring together industry experts who will provide practical insights aimed at helping young people develop strong professional identities, improve their confidence and build sustainable careers.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
-Zanele Kunene-Dlamini, Corporate Service Manager at Matsapha Town Council.
-Nondombi Motsa-Maphanga, Chief Executive Officer of ENPC.
-Nokwethu Mdluli, Human Resources Advisor at AB World Foods in the United Kingdom.
-Phila Dlamini, Head of Learning at Standard Bank Eswatini.
The convention will also address emerging workplace realities, including the growing use of artificial intelligence. Maziya said young people needed to learn how to use AI responsibly while maintaining originality, credibility and critical thinking.
The convention is being hosted in partnership with IDM, strengthening the link between academic training and professional development.
Maziya said the partnership also provides an opportunity for students pursuing human resources-related studies to connect with IPM, the professional body for human capital practitioners in Eswatini.
The annual convention has continued to attract students, graduates and corporate organisations, with participation growing largely through word of mouth. Companies also send graduate trainees to the event as part of efforts to contribute to youth development through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Registration costs E750 for IDM students and E1000 for non-IDM students. The event is open to university and college students, graduates, interns and other young people seeking to strengthen their professional readiness.
As young EmaSwati navigate an increasingly competitive employment landscape, IPM’s message is clear: a qualification is an important foundation, but a successful career requires confidence, discipline, integrity, effective communication and a commitment to continuous learning.
(Courtesy Pic)
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