To SoulProviders with Love.
When my boss approached me with the task to socialise six 3rd year BA Strategic Communication students from the University of Johannesburg into SoulProviders I gladly accepted the challenge. I knew what it meant and what it will require in me to achieve the three days this students had asked to be taught what digital communication is all about. Our contact began on a very cold winters day and I already knew when they finish job shadowing they should send us feedback on how this experience was to each and everyone of them – as promised, I got an email today that got me all so grateful to be a part of SoulProviders. Read their article below.
- Clockwise – Dineo, Dudu, Lerato, Zenobiya and Asanda.
When we first arrived at SoulProviders, we had no knowledge of how digital communication functions from a practical side. We wanted to see where ideas are generated and where are they executed and transformed into interactive customer engagement with brands through digital communication. As soon as we met Bheki and the rest of the SoulProviding team we felt like we were home, the SP team greeted us with friendly smiles and made us feel welcomed. Our initial review of Soul Providers can be described as assuring and informing in terms of their work ethic.
Strategic communication provides a wide range of career opportunities, we were each matched with an SP employee who does what each of us have an interest in. It was great to be able to see first-hand what someone in that specific position does and to get a feel of what their typical day is like, from the different brands to their responsibilities. Before one is exposed to such, there is a distinct pressure that one feels, because we had no idea of how the workplace is and whether we had what it took to make the transition from varsity into the workplace. It is challenging but if one is creative and passionate about what they do, there’s no reason not to thrive. It also seems like a lot of fun, because the environment at SP is “chilled” and intimate, everybody gets along very well. The fact that the digital communication industry is based on real-time instant platforms; it was very intimidating at first to see how quick decisions need to be made and how spontaneous yet well-thought-out content needs to be. Our time spent at SoulProviders has been educational, it also confirmed our passion which ultimately assured us that the career path chosen was a good one and allowed us to make valuable contacts for future employment prospects. We are passionate, self-motivated and driven individuals that aim to conquer the communication industry. Yet, the overall experience exceeded our expectations and introduced us to a world where our passion can have the space to thrive.
Bheki of SP with Asanda, Dudu and Zenobiya.
Bheki Khoza, the Digital PR and Editor of Represent at SoulProviders is the person that made the whole experience exciting for us, because he has traveled the same journey that we are travelling. He studied at the same institution (UJ – BA Corporate Communication degree) that we are currently studying at, he has been taught by the same lecturers that are teaching us and he has been taught the same modules that we are being taught. Seeing him flourish and to witness how he has used the knowledge that he gained from his studies to adapt to the digital communication industry is truly inspiring. Through Bheki it is evident that we too can make it. Through him it is evident that with hard work and dedication we too can get there and thrive in the digital communication world. We all related to Bheki better than most of the team because he has walked the exact path that we are in now, he knows and understands what we are currently going through. He is a testimony of what hard work, determination and confidence can do for a person! If he did it despite the challenges along the way, there is nothing stopping the rest of us from succeeding like he has. Bheki made this whole experience exciting for us as he was practically in-charge of this job shadowing experience, he took us under his wing. He was very easy to talk to, highly responsive and very encouraging.
Our time spent at SP has enabled us to expand our networking contacts, Bheki is valuable to us and we shall continue contacting him further for any assistance we might need regarding school or any advice he may offer. We have gained some industry relevant knowledge and insights that can be used to our advantage.
Era Communications.
SoulProviders has given us priceless knowledge to take back to campus and all of us will keep the knowledge with us throughout our careers. We got an opportunity to have all our theory on digital communication translated into practical application and to experience the highest level of excellence and quality of work that is expected from us as soon-to-be UJ graduates. We have gained a lot from our experience at SoulProviders such as a ‘Real World’ workplace experience, an understanding of the digital communication touch points, the digital role of branding, shaping conversation, creating content, digital strategising, channel planning, analytics and how digital branding could be used to maximize return on investment (ROI). This experience was more effective as is learning in class but it was real-life situation of the digital industry. Besides learning about digital communication, they taught us how important time management is and how to work as a team and always communicate with one another in order for things to function as a system. And also being patient and understanding towards each other. Because at the end of the day we are all working towards the same goal(s).We can gratefully say our experience at SoulProviders was affirmation, it gave us realistic view and feel of what our chosen career path entails.
Era comm would like to extend its gratitude to SoulProviders for affording us the opportunity to acquire knowledge and to gain some experience. Once again thank you Bheki for your time and patience towards us, we appreciate the extremes you went through. A special mention goes out to Sarah-Jane (the boss lady), none of this would have been possible without your consent thank you for opening your doors to us! May SoulProviders prosper even further, without a doubt this is bound to happen in the near future due to its team which consists of talented and focused creatives. Thanks for the opportunity it is impressively appreciated…
Obrigado Era Communications.
