In South Africa’s tough job market, experience is an essential item on any CV. Yet these days, securing an internship to gain that experience is almost as hard as landing a job, and those who can get a foot in the door in this way should ensure that they make the most of the opportunity, an education expert says.

If you don’t have a Matric Certificate, you may feel that every one of your school mates is flying high in a top job, or at least employable. The truth is vastly different - according to 2008 statistics - in that out of every 40 pupils who start out together, 31 don’t get their Matric and only 2 gain a university exemption.

Obtaining a bursary gets harder each year as more students compete for the same opportunities. While there is no way to guarantee that you are selected there are a few things that you can do to improve your chances.