[theconversation.com] Young, South African and unemployed: finding direction starts with knowing yourself

Jun 15, 2026

A recent article in The Conversation Africa by Professor Kobus Maree, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria, explores the difficult reality facing many young South Africans who are trying to find their way in a challenging employment landscape.

The article highlights the importance of self-knowledge in career development. For young people facing uncertainty, discouragement and limited opportunities, understanding their own strengths, interests, values and life stories can be an important first step towards making meaningful education, training and career choices.

Rather than seeing career planning only as a search for available jobs, the article encourages a deeper process of reflection: Who am I? What matters to me? What strengths and experiences can I build on? This kind of self-awareness can help young people develop direction, resilience and hope, even in difficult circumstances.

Read the full article on The Conversation: Young, South African and unemployed: finding direction starts with knowing yourself

Prof Maree sets academic citation record

“Prof Kobus Maree of the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Education has achieved a major milestone with his article on Erik Erikson’s psycho-social development theory. Now the most downloaded in the 53-year history of the Taylor & Francis scholarly...

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