The newly formed Consulting Club at the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) is looking to make a name for itself with its first annual Consulting Conference to be held in September. A first of its kind in the country, undergraduate and prostgraduate students as well as professionally qualified individuals interested in consulting as a career are invited to take part. Applications are also open for industry to get involved in the career expo that will form part of the event.

The conference, to be held on 4 September in Cape Town and 7 September in Johannesburg, will feature a plethora of prominent speakers and major international firms who will provide new insights into how consulting is evolving in terms of technology, media and innovation, as well as the impact the industry has had and the role of women. The theme of the conference is, “what the future holds”.

According to career services manager at the UCT GSB, Morea Josias, the conference will entail a number of workshops as well as a career expo and there will be plenty of opportunities for networking among individuals and major international firms.

“This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness about consulting as an industry and as a career path. It is also a chance to connect the major consulting players in the industry with people interested in consulting as a career,” said Josias.

According to Zaheera Soomar, chairperson of the Consulting Club at the school, consulting as a career path only started growing over the past few years in the country and therefore awareness about it is pivotal.

“It’s very important that we start the right conversations about the fledgling industry in South Africa; that we discuss and identify the trends and the challenges, sharing ways to make the best out of opportunities while overcoming obstacles,” said Soomar. Soomar started the Consulting Club at the GSB last year.

The conference is targeted at students and alumni from all the main campuses and business school campuses across South Africa. There is expected to be up to 500 attendants, at each conference, and a further 150 places will be made available for others from the industry who are interested in attending.

“The main focus of the conference will be on the consulting industry but we’d like to encourage all firms across all industries, looking to target the top available talent, to participate in the career expo,” said Soomar.

“The career expo is a perfect opportunity for firms to showcase their businesses and to interact with upcoming industry talent, while students have an opportunity to learn about different firms and options and possibly even find some valuable opportunities,” she said. “This is also a great opportunity to introduce the new Consulting Club at the GSB.”

According to Soomar, all the major schools have consulting clubs, which provide opportunities for important interactions between students, professionals in the field, faculty, and alumni.

“We aim to be that essential link between those just entering the profession and those with extensive experience,” she said.

For more information please contact Zaheera Soomar on 083 271 0489 or send an email to info@uctgsbconsultingconference.com.