Students and Graduates
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"Opportunities exist for graduates to do great things at Dimension Data. As graduates, we get exposed to hands-on job experience and problem solving, the opportunity to rotate between all the various lines of business, and be mentored and coached by the leading industry professionals. Dimension Data is a high-performance company with an open-door policy – where someone as ‘junior’ as a new graduate is able to walk into any executive’s or manager’s office to discuss just about anything. This is the kind of work environment that brings out the best in people." Eva Mothapo, Project Administrator, Dimension Data South Africa.
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Through our one-year Graduate Programmes, we give talented graduates the chance to receive hands-on experience and on-the-job learning, exposure to clients, ICT projects and real-time problem solving. At the same time, graduates are constantly mentored and guided by leading industry professionals within Dimension Data. More than that, we give graduates the experience of being part of our great, global family.
For example, in South Africa, our one year programme ensures we provide young and exceptional professionals with the most advanced skills in various areas within the ICT industry. Graduates can follow either the technical or management route. Each year we recruit graduates from various South African recognised tertiary institutions to fill graduate or internship positions in Project Management, Account Management, Human Recourses, Help Desk, Network Engineering, Business Development, to name a few.
During the graduate programme, each graduate is partnered with a management-level staff member (as either a mentor or coach to guide them through the process of establishing their careers at Dimension Data). A coach is able to give practical instruction on a day to day basis.
The mentor, however, acts as a sounding board by asking questions, providing the graduate with guidance and direction and helping them find out their underlying needs and wants. Having discovered the objectives the mentor will again use powerful questioning to draw the graduate or intern to understand what must be done to achieve and how it could be done.
Student and Graduate Programmes
At Dimension Data we offer interactive graduate programmes where graduates get a chance to integrate the theoretical world of study and the practical working world. With these programmes, support and development is provided which ensures that our graduates learn from the best professionals in the industry.
Two programmes running in South Africa are outlined below. To find out about programmes in your country, contact your local Dimension Data office.
Graduate (Fast Track) Programme (South Africa)
A management stream designed to fast-track one’s development in the business world
• Runs from 1 February to 31 January each year
• Targeted at candidates with the minimum qualification of a university degree
• Provides functional training as part of a four to six month rotation through the various lines of businesses within Dimension Data.
• Targeted at high quality students that are able to perform general, junior management or specialised roles two years after completion of the Programme
Our Graduate (Fast Track) programme targets candidates with at least a University degree. Graduates spend the first month learning about the company, meeting people and finding their feet as they transition from university to the world of work. The first month on the programme involves a variety of classroom and online learning about the lines of business and methodologies, as well as life-skills training.
Graduates then undergo functional and technical training as they begin a four to six month rotation through the various lines of businesses, followed by a four to six month rotation in a specific area to build competence in their area of interest.
Each graduate is assigned a mentor, whose role is to support them in their work throughout the year and to provide guidance in their career decisions. Ongoing evaluation occurs throughout the year and if successful, the Graduate will exit from the Graduate programme and begin permanent placement in the business. The Graduate Internship Fast Track Programme targets high quality students that can fill general or junior management roles after about two years after complexion of the programme.
Internship Programme (South Africa)
A technical stream equipping one with the specific skills to become an expert in one’s chosen field of technology
• Runs from 1 February to 31 January each year
• Targeted at individuals from previously disadvantage backgrounds who have a minimum qualification of a National Diploma from a recognised South African University of Technology.
With the Dimension Data Internship programme, our interns spend the first month learning about the company, meeting people and finding their feet as they transition from university to the world of work. Each person, or a group of interns, are assigned a mentor, whose role is to support them in their work throughout the year and to provide guidance in their career decisions.
Ongoing evaluation occurs throughout the year and if successful, the intern will exit from the Internship programme and begin permanent placement in the business. If successful, interns are then placed at junior positions where they gain more technical as well as other business skills to assist them to grow and handle senior responsibilities. Regular team building interventions are put in place to allow interns to cross reference learning they have acquired in different lines of business.
This programme targets individuals from previously disadvantage backgrounds with a minimum National Diploma from a recognised South African University of Technology. Interns are required to submit mentorship reports to reflect on learning conversations with their mentors.
Have you got what it takes?
We are always on the lookout for talented people to join our great team. Here’s some guidance as to what we look for in our candidates.
The formalities
Before we go any further, it’s important to check that candidates fulfil the following criteria:
• Applicants must have citizenship or a work permit for the country in which they are applying
• Applicants must have no more than three year’s full time work experience since graduation
• Applicants must have completed the relevant University degree or National Diploma depending on the programme being applied for.
• Applicants must be willing to relocate to another location within the country if required.
The good stuff
We’re looking for applicants with a wide range of skills, but we’ll specifically be looking at the following areas:
Academic achievement
We look at a variety of aspects to one’s academic background, such as one’s grades, degree/diploma level, languages spoken, special projects and any awards or scholarships they may have received. Although we need people from a wide range of backgrounds, we typically hire people with the following academic training:
• Engineering (i.e. mechanical, electrical, civil, software, telecommunications, etc)
• Sciences (i.e. computer and information sciences, applied mathematics, information technology, information systems, etc)
• Business (i.e. finance, human resources, marketing, etc)
Top academic achievement and high grades are a plus, but they’re not the only thing we look for. We also look at one’s personal attributes, extra-curricular activities and any work experience they may have.
Personal attributes
Some of the personal attributes that we seek are:
• A good fit for the company i.e. ability to live the Dimension Data values (teamwork, client commitment, professional excellence, multi-cultural strength, partnership and proactivity)
• Strong interpersonal skills and leadership potential
• Ability and willingness to develop required technical and business skills
• Academic ability
• Willingness for continuous career growth and learning
• Commitment and enthusiasm
Extracurricular activities
The extra things that one does outside of their school work or study time can really set them apart from other candidates. Getting involved in their school or community reveals a lot about one’s character. It also helps people to develop skills that are very important to employers such as leadership, teamwork, communication, organisational ability and time management. Has the candidate ever been elected into a leadership position? Have you volunteered for community work? Have you been involved in social clubs or groups? Have you worked as a tutor, counsellor, coach or teaching assistant? Have you participated in sports teams? Have you taken part in any academic or cultural competitions? All these things are of interest to your interviewer, so make sure you mention them!
Work experience
Prior work experience is not essential, but any work experience you have will help to build your confidence and broaden your horizons. We will take into consideration any internships, part-time work or summer programmes candidates may have been involved in. Entrepreneurial ventures, however small, can also provide excellent opportunities for one to gain important skills such as project management, communication, business acumen and technical skills.
How we decide
Successful candidates will undergo a selection process to determine their best fit within our organisation. The selection process follows the following simple steps:
• Online application
• Psychometric assessments
• First interview with Human Resources
• Second interview with hiring manager
• Third interview with General Manager
• Background checks