For over 20 years, 3RC has pioneered tertiary education awareness at a high school level through their Rocking Future Career Expos. They have worked diligently to expose Grade 12 students in South Africa to more study choices, career options, the various philosophies of success, and many of the leading private colleges in the country.
Then Covid-19 struck, and the company had to quickly pivot if they were going to continue with their motto to educate, motivate, and inspire the youth of South Africa.
Not wanting to leave students with the misconception that their only options are state universities or to simply dive into the workforce from an unqualified position, 3RC decided to do things differently. Quickly recognising the uptake and increasing familiarity of online schooling during 2020, 3RC transitioned from hosting live shows only to adding a 2D experience in the form of their “Rocking Future Virtual Career Expo” format.
Reaching a new generation
This virtual change to the company’s operations demonstrated the crucial need for an innovative online student platform, so that whether you live in Johannesburg or on a farm in the Northern Cape, you can access vital information about your future – without having to leave the house.
Confirmation that 3RC was on the right track was shown by the 7 000 online registrations captured within just a few weeks of launching. In retrospect, this is unsurprising, given the pressing need for online solutions intentionally aimed at teenagers.
Through this unique combination of live and virtual expos, 3RC is able to more effectively reach this age group and expose them to study options outside a traditional state university degree – a route that is more frequently encouraged by teachers, parents, and guardians.
Levelled the playing field for all students
Previously, 3RC was only able to reach schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Now 3RC can use its virtual platform to reach students in all nine provinces, including schools in far to reach places. Additionally, 3RC has been able to tap into the home schooling communities who would otherwise not have been exposed to the live shows.
Crucially, there was also an uptake in the number of schools catering to special needs children interacting with the platform. Many of these students suffer from either social anxieties or learning disabilities, or both. However, in this virtual environment they have been able to take the tour at their own pace, without the expectation of talking to strangers to learn more.
New data to inform a rich future for all students
Since engaging with students in the 2D expo format, 3RC has collected data-rich insights which have enabled the company to identify and adapt its offering to more accurately meet the needs of students as they change and grow.
The data gathered shows that the top five career choices for those 7 000 students who have used 3RC’s innovative platform over the past 18 months are, in order, Business Management (11%), Medicine and Science (8,4%), Engineering and Technology (6,5%), Law (6,2%), and Counselling and Psychology (5,6%). It was also found that Teaching and Coaching has jumped from 0,2% in 2020 to 3% in 2021, which is one of the most significant leaps seen over this past year.
It was also seen that there are differences in the choices and interests expressed by students over 18 years of age, who completed the questionnaires online, without their parents’ influence. The data collected revealed that these students were less likely to pick traditional careers, and tended to be more open to sharing details and were more creative in expressing their vocational interests.
This isn’t to say that a state university is the wrong choice – not at all. But these insights highlight the crucial need for students to be so that they can make the best choice for their circumstances and desires.
3RC incorporates education and performance, bringing together marketers, social investors, and educators to provide the information they need to make informed decisions about their future through live and virtual expos.
To access the Rocking Future Virtual Career Expo visit https://www.3rcvirtual.com, send an email to info@3rc.co.za or contact 010 822 2000.
