Transitioning from university into the world of work can feel daunting and requires a reframe in mindset, the development of new skills, and an openness to continuous learning, especially in a field as structured and demanding as Internal Auditing (IA). For Kamogelo Machubeng (23), joining BANKSETA straight from university as an Internal Auditing Intern was the genesis of her formative professional career.
When Kamogelo started her internship a year ago, she had just completed her diploma in Internal Auditing at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Having chosen a field that combined analytical skills, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, she knew internal auditing would challenge her in all three areas. Now, eager to move beyond theory and gain real-world experience, she recalls, “I knew I wanted to study Internal Auditing back in primary school, after someone explained it like this: ‘Internal audit is like having someone from your group check every now and then to make sure everyone is following the rules, so the game is fair and fun for everyone.’ I enjoyed studying it at university, and now, joining BANKSETA, I was excited to see how internal audit works in a real organisational setting.” Above all, she was keen to learn from experienced professionals and see firsthand how auditing contributes to good governance and effective risk management.
According to Rashaad Shamsoodeen, Internal Auditing Manager at BANKSETA, the shift from academic learning to workplace responsibility was a significant adjustment. “There was a big transition from theoretical studying to the workplace,” he recalls. Kamogelo had to learn self-management and take ownership of her work output.
Over the course of the year, that growth became evident. Initially cautious in her approach, Kamogelo gradually developed confidence and momentum. “As time went by, she changed the cautious approach to one of optimism and energy,” says Shamsoodeen. This shift was evident in her growing comfort with new tasks, alongside her increasing maturity and readiness to take on responsibility.
Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, Kamogelo’s development was further supported by BANKSETA’s broader devotion to intern growth and well-being, evidenced by the organisation’s initiatives such as the recent Internspire Work and Wellness Summit, a full-day summit that brought interns together to build resilience and workplace readiness through expert-led sessions on recruitment, personal branding, and mental health to prepare interns for sustainable, long-term careers.
After the summit, on the impact, Kamogelo said,“I realised how important it is to present myself professionally, and that even something like my social media behaviour can impact my career opportunities. Confidence matters, and as an intern, I know I am worthy. I also learned the value of having a positive attitude, being teachable, respecting workplace etiquette, adapting to different personalities, embodying the organisation’s values, and simply being a sponge – learning as much as you can.”
Exactly a year later, she secured employment as a Risk Analyst.
One of her standout strengths, according to her former manager, was her approach to problem-solving. “Instead of focusing on what went wrong, she took responsibility and focused on finding solutions and making positive changes,” Shamsoodeen notes.
Retrospecting her time at BANKSETA, Kamogelo credits the experience with clarifying her career trajectory. Exposure to risk, controls, and governance sparked her interest in risk analysis, while the guidance and support from the Internal Audit team helped her build both competence and confidence. Even before completing her two-year internship, she successfully transitioned into a Risk Analyst role outside of BANKSETA, applying the foundation she has gained.
Her advice to recent graduates is: Be patient, stay open to learning, and make the most of every opportunity. “Even small tasks can teach valuable lessons and help you grow into your career,” she says.