Niche South African consulting and technology company BSG recently hosted students from Rhodes University’s Computer Science (CompSci) Honours class at its Cape Town offices for their Industry Day. This took the form of a half-day workshop, which gave the students a more detailed understanding of the industry they hope to form part of at the end of their studies, and highlighting practical applications of the material they cover in class. What sets BSG apart, according to the students attending the industry visit, is its focus on the details. Many organisations focus on high-level applications of the theory, but BSG has, through a long-term evolution of the process, struck the ideal balance between the high-level view and the detail.
Attendees commended BSG for providing such a pragmatic view of the working world. At a previous Rhodes University Industry visit, RU CompSci lecturer, James Connan echoed BSG’s sentiments with regards to Industry’s role, “At the end of the day, [Industry] is our customer; we’re hoping to produce a ‘product’ that [it] wants, and the best way to make sure we do that is to keep the channels of communication between us open.”
Events like this one continue to entrench BSG as an employer of choice. With its unique employee-centric corporate culture, BSG is undoubtedly a destination employer for many graduates entering the working world. And thanks to its relationship with the universities, BSG is able to ensure that those graduates are equipped with the skills they will need.
BSG believes in a collaborative approach to education in South Africa – only when Academia, Industry and Government come together to ensure that learners and students alike are afforded the best possible facilities, curricula, and educators will South Africa fulfil its true potential. This belief ensures that BSG is always available to assist, guide and advise Academia through its role in advisory boards, internships, and industry visits like this one.
As an organisation, BSG strives to unlock contributions and accelerate careers, through its Graduate Recruitment and Graduate Development Programmes. Each year, BSG hosts a “Select-a-thon”, during which it fills the entry-level Business Consultant and Developer positions available in the organisation. This year’s Select-a-thon takes place from 20 to 24 July at BSG’s offices in Houghton Estate, Johannesburg.
