Having worked nine years at Sasol and counting- Civil Engineering Lead Anthea Dennis considers the company’s dynamic environment to be the perfect place for aspiring engineers
Dennis’ role as Civil Engineering Lead at Sasol’s Secunda operation in Mpumalanga, requires her to be responsible for a team of civil engineers and civil engineers in training, "I look at their (Sasol) bursary programme, and it is designed for you to succeed. At the end of the three years, you have enough coaching to develop your technical and interpersonal skills with a focus on them and their wellbeing. It is really structured around them (the graduate) growing into their careers," she says.
This year, Secunda and its surrounding areas was a key target for the annual Sasol bursary programme. As part of the bursary programme, the company is allocating University of Technology bursaries for Mining Surveying to female learners in Gert Sibande Municipality in Secunda and the Metsimaholo Municipality in Sasolburg to empower communities in areas where the company has operations.
Bursaries are also available for post-graduate students and students already enrolled in STEM fields at public universities. According to Dennis, it is an interactive and inclusive experience even when you’re not in the hub of the city, "You have the opportunity to interact with like-minded people at a high volume. They are very accessible. There is an opportunity to grow in your career, and the site is literally within reach. It is right at your fingertips,” she says.
It also offers an engaging environment, “You also have the opportunity to be part of the corporate culture. You are not removed from it because of our town hall sessions. They allow you to keep a close eye on the organisation's direction and vision. You also have the opportunity to be mentored in the organisation at corporate and in the operating environment here in Secunda. You have access to a significant amount of professionals not only in your discipline,” she explains.
Dennis says the working and living environment in Secunda is ideal for post-graduate students, "It's nicely centred around your work environment and travelling anywhere within 16 minutes from the centre outwards. It really optimises your resources as a young person if you can manage it," she explains.
For the last five years, Sasol has been voted the Employer of Choice in the Chemicals and Energy sector by the South African Graduate Employers Association, and with this all-expenses-paid bursary, the company is looking to continue to build the future engineers and visioners of the energy sector.
She explains that people are given a chance to grow themselves and are supported throughout their careers, “There are different operating entities ranging from operations to corporate. These allow somebody to grow and change directions, or if you are a specialist, it also allows that opportunity. There is a range of opportunities you can embark on, and the development doesn't end at a graduate level,” she says.
For more information on the bursary Sasol offers, visit www.sasolbursaries.com
This post was sponsored by Sasol and produced by Adspace Studio.
