Johnathan Drake

IIE Bachelor of Commerce
The IIE’s Varsity College Westville
GRADUATED CLASS OF 2018
Company: Setzkorn Health and Wealth Consulting

Describe your daily duties:
Meeting with clients, drafting of wills for estate planning, a lot of admin work for my boss currently. A lot of time at work also goes towards training by the company as the array of products and services is complex and requires in-depth knowledge.

Why did you choose the qualification you studied?
I chose the qualification because of my interest in both finance and law. I started following financial markets a year before my studies commenced and became extremely intrigued with the industry. Law had always been a topic of interest so the IIE BCom qualification was perfect for me.

Is your qualification relevant to your job? If so, did your studies adequately prepare you for your job?
Extremely relevant. I come across terms and concepts that I studied at The IIE’s Varsity College almost every day in the work place. Things such as tax, insurance law and succession planning are probably the things I use most in the work environment.

What are your future career plans?
I’m currently studying an LLB and working full time. I believe the LLB will enhance my value offering to clients. The idea is to become a fully-fledged independent financial planner to assist clients in building and managing their wealth.

How has the Career Centre assisted you while you were at The IIE’s Varsity College?
While I was at The IIE’s Varsity College, the Career Centre assisted me with getting work as a Registration Assistant for The IIE’s Varsity College in my final year of studies. The annual career fair held on campus was also extremely beneficial in that it gave undergraduates a chance to interact with companies and potentially secure employment while still studying. The CV support from the Career Centre was invaluable.

What advice would you give to students who are looking for or about to embark on their first job?
Network! Take time to meet people and make friends while you’re at The IIE’s Varsity College. Get your name out there and be proactive in finding employment. You really never know who or where your first job opportunity might come from.