Boost your career with the Business Admin Internship Programme at MANCOSA 2025. Gain practical experience, enhance your skills.
Business Admin Internship at Van Schaik Bookstore & MANCOSA: Your Ticket to the Retail World
Hey there, future business superstar! If you’ve been hunting for a real-world break after nabbing your N6 in business or retail, this Business Admin Internship Programme might just be the fresh start you need. Let’s break down what’s up for grabs, why you should care, and how to get in on the action.
What’s on the Table?
- Role: Business Admin Intern
- Where: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (think: coastal vibes and city hustle)
- Duration: 18 months (yep, a solid chunk of time to learn your stuff)
- Industry: Retail (where things move fast and you learn even faster)
- Department: Human Resources (HR, aka the “people people”)
- Deadline to Apply: 23 June 2025
This isn’t just any internship—Van Schaik Bookstore is a big deal in the book world, and MANCOSA’s got serious education cred. Together, they’re offering a launchpad for someone who’s ready to roll up their sleeves and get into the thick of business admin.
What Will You Actually Be Doing?
Forget the idea that interns only fetch coffee. Here, you’ll be right in the action:
Customer Service at the Counter
- Be the friendly face (or voice) customers remember.
- Handle questions in-person, on the phone, via email, and—believe it or not—even fax. (Yes, those still exist!)
Quotations & Orders
- Create and manage quotes for everyone: walk-ins, big institutions, libraries, you name it.
- Accuracy matters—no one likes being overcharged or getting the wrong info.
Customer Service Policies
- Stick to company rules to keep service top notch.
- You’ll learn how real businesses keep customers coming back.
Stock Processing
- Help manage new stock and transfers between branches.
- It’s like being the guardian of the inventory—nothing goes missing on your watch.
Admin Essentials
- Handle all sorts of paperwork: orders, pro-formas, random requests from the boss.
- Expect the unexpected—tasks will pop up that aren’t on the official list.
Brand Promotion
- Represent Van Schaik at events.
- You’ll be the hype person, spreading the word and getting people excited about the brand.
Skills You’ll Need to Shine
Here’s what’ll make you stand out (and make your life easier):
- People Skills: Smile, chat, and actually listen—customers can tell when you care.
- Communication: Good communication isn’t just about talking; it’s writing clear emails, keeping notes tidy, and not leaving anyone guessing.
- Tech-Savvy: You don’t need to be a computer genius, but you should be comfy with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook—the works).
- Organization: If your workspace is chaos, your brain probably is too. Learn to keep things neat and you’ll thank yourself later.
- Problem-Solving: Stuff will go sideways. Can you think on your feet and fix it?
- Professionalism & Integrity: Keep things above board—confidential info stays confidential, period.
- Willingness to Learn: Retail’s a whirlwind. Be the person who asks questions and adapts, not the one who digs in their heels.
Who Can Apply? (Don’t Skip This Part!)
- Citizenship: Only open to South African citizens (sorry, no exceptions).
- Education: You need a business or retail-related N6 certificate—no shortcuts, no fakes.
- Age: Under 35 (so if you still get carded, you’re probably good).
- Paperwork: Have your ID and qualification documents up-to-date and ready.
- Commitment: You’re in for the full 18 months, no ghosting halfway through.
Bonus Points for Extra Skills
- Driver’s License: Not a must, but if you’ve got one, sweet. You might need to zip around to events or meetings outside the store.
Why Should You Bother?
Let’s be real—retail is a wild ride. But it’s also the best bootcamp for business smarts and people skills. Here’s what you get out of this gig:
- Hands-on Experience: Not just theory—real customers, real tasks, real pressure.
- Network: Meet people who can help you long after the internship ends.
- Skill-building: You’ll leave with stories (and skills) that’ll make you stand out in interviews.
- Confidence: Nothing like handling a tough customer or a stock crisis to toughen you up!
If you’re ambitious, proactive, and ready to learn (and maybe laugh through the chaos), this is your scene.
How to Apply (No Excuses!)
Ready to throw your hat in the ring? Here’s what you need:
- Your CV (keep it fresh and to the point)
- A copy of your ID
- Your N6 certificate
- APPLY HERE
- Any other docs that show off your skills (think: references, other certificates)
Submit everything to the provided application portal.
Don’t drag your feet—the deadline is 23 June 2025.
Final Thoughts—Don’t Overthink It
Honestly, internships like this don’t pop up every day. If you’re hungry for experience and want to launch your career in business admin, this is your shot. You’ll juggle customers, stock, admin, and events, all while picking up skills you can use for life. So, don’t wait for someone else to snatch your spot—go for it!
Business Admin Internship Programme
Any questions? Hit up the application portal for more info. Good luck, future legend!
