JETmag 2017/18 edition

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“If you do what you truly enjoy and chase your passions with a fervent intensity and always strive to be your best, you will feel fulfilled.”

Chase your passions Jamie Beaton, 21-year-old co-founder of multi-milliondollar Kiwi start-up Crimson Consulting and winner of the 2016 Young New Zealand Innovator award, recounts his journey and offers tips for success.

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elcome to this year’s issue of JETmag. I am honoured to contribute to a publication dedicated to young Kiwis achieving their dreams, whatever they may be.

When I was in my final years of high school, it was a time to relish every new experience: the academic pursuits, the social celebrations, the high stress and the supercharged adrenaline. I continually sought out new challenges to build the resilience, knowledge and passion that would sustain me for the years ahead.

Some of you may have considered tertiary study abroad for the cultural experience, incredible network of friends and the variety of learning styles it affords you. For me, navigating the college application process was daunting and included many hours looking for application tips and tricks online. I ended up applying to 25 of the world’s top universities (unsure if any of them would come through), was accepted at all, and finally chose Harvard for its incredibly global outlook.

My experience inspired me to co-found Crimson Education on the belief that students’ geographical locations and financial standing should not limit their access to world-class education. Our network of expert tutors and mentors provides students with first-class academic tutoring, standardised test prep, extracurricular and leadership coaching, plus regular career mentoring. We help to ignite their ambitions and open doors for them that would otherwise have remained bolted shut.

We also launched Crimson Hub and most recently Crimson Q&A for young people, parents and professionals around the world to access the highest quality information about best-fit pathways to top-ranked universities and companies.

I hope you too can benefit from aiming beyond what you think is possible. If you do what you truly enjoy and chase your passions with a fervent intensity and always strive to be your best, you will feel fulfilled.

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CONTENTS 6 What are the highest- and

lowest-paying industries?

8 Finding a job: the basics 10 Revamp your CV: get noticed!

11 Starting out: CV basics 12 How to prepare for an interview 13 The 10 most commonly

asked interview questions 14 Five tips for a successful job application 15 Ramping up your side job 16 Five reasons to try

temporary work 17 Want skills for life? Join the

New Zealand Defence Force 17 Fast facts about tax

6 Jobs

18 Education & Training 37 Stepping outside your

comfort zone 38 What is your personality type?

41 Your voice, your choice 42 10 tips for the frugal foodie flat 42 Blogs to keep up with 43 Taking a gap year before

tertiary study 46 Your sexuality belongs to

you – take charge and get informed!

47 Time management tips 48 The warrior within 49 Why we’re all addicted to

our phones 49 Financial advice for flatters 50 Youth Guarantee Vocational Pathways 51 Getting your licence 52 Suicide: are we taking it seriously?

36 Life 2

18 The importance of hitting

the ground running with ncea 20 New Zealand’s tertiary

institutions: what are the differences?

22 Scholarships aplenty 24 Scholarship Application Toolkit 25 Choosing the right course for

your dream career 26 Where to study in New Zealand 28 Tertiary study: it’s a real

learning curve 30 Next steps: How do I…?

31 What’s the fuss about STEM? 32 Loans and allowances: what

can you get?

33 5 awesome apps for students 34 What does a New Zealand

Apprenticeship involve?

35 Bridging and foundation courses

CONTENTS

53 Construction & infrastructure sector

71 Primary sector

59 Creative Sector

65 Manufacturing & technology sector

77 Services sector

83 Social & community services sector

Commercial Manager: Fiona Reid Phone: 04 915 9795 Email: fiona.reid@nzme-ed.co.nz Advertising: Charles Ogilvie-Lee Phone: 04 915 9794 Email: charles.ogilvie-lee@nzme-ed.co.nz Production: Aaron Morey and Sloane Dougherty Published by:

Level 2, NZME. House, 190 Taranaki Street, Wellington 6141. www.nzme-ed.co.nz Š 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

www.facebook.com/jetmagnz

ISSN: 1179-0377 Errors and omissions: Whilst the publisher has attempted to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information, no responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for any errors or omissions.

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WHAT ARE your OPTIONS? You have spent between 11 and 13 long years in the school system… now what? Never fear, JETmag is here.

C

ongratulations, you’ve made it! This is such an exciting time in your life and believe me, the opportunities for you are endless. You just need to sort and evaluate your numerous options to find out what you really want to do. From volunteering to university and everything in between, we’ve got it covered.

Tertiary study By now you’ve probably got a good idea of the type of courses you should apply for. Your choice of subject area will influence the choice of institution at which you want to enrol. For example, if you want to be a doctor, you will need to enrol at one of the university medical schools (the University of Auckland or the University of Otago).

If you want to be an IT professional, you have a huge range of choices, from computer science degrees at university, polytechnic level diplomas or certificates, or qualifications from specialised IT private training establishments. Each institute has a different spin on the broader topic (some are hands-on, some are more theoretical), so do your research and compare the courses before you apply.

It’s a bit more challenging if you have no idea what you want to study, right?

JETmag has some questions to ask yourself to help you narrow your search.

What are your hobbies?

This is how a lot of people decide what they want to study after secondary 4

school. You might think you want to be a scientist, but if you’ve always been good at art and love drawing pictures of buildings and funky designs, then should you maybe consider studying as an architect or draftsperson?

For some, the passion is more personal. If you’ve lost a family member to cancer, for example, you might be motivated to become a cancer researcher. Bear in mind that you’re more likely to enjoy studying a subject you already love than on you – or your parents or wha-nau – think you should do.

What subjects have you most enjoyed at school?

This is a no-brainer. If you are a maths god, why not consider studying to be a mathematician or statistician? Is English awesome? Consider an arts degree. Enjoy history, te reo Ma-ori, or cultural studies? Continue your study in the social sciences or anthropology at uni. Sometimes, it doesn’t need to be a school subject. Do you love hanging with your friends and defusing their dramas? What about studying youth or social work, or counselling?

What is your personality type?

Getting a job

Unpaid work

The Myers-Briggs personality test on page 38 will guide you to study areas that harmonise with your personality type. Just remember, your selected personality type is not set in stone – it reflects your thoughts and feelings right now. That could change subtly in the future, but for now it’s a quick and useful tool to focus you on relevant subject areas.

Decided that tertiary study isn’t for you?

At least, not right now? No sweat, there are still plenty of options.

You can use your time to figure out if study might be an option further down the track. This is something all students should consider if they are unsure what they want to be doing.

If you’ve been working a weekend or part-time job while at college, ask if they can bump your hours up once exams have finished. This doesn’t have to be a permanent move, but it helps to keep earning money while looking for a job that’s more suited to the career path you want.

But what if you no idea what you want to do? Don’t stress. You are at the beginning of the path to your future – not many people are certain of what they want to do at this point. Take me, for example – I’ve changed my mind about 10 times probably in the past year.

It takes time.

Sometimes, to get an idea of your future, it helps to look back. The same advice for study options applies to career options. What made you feel happiest or what do you feel came to you most naturally? Did you love geography? Biology? Art? Think of your favourite school subjects, your hobbies, even the sports you play. Yes, being a professional athlete is a legitimate career choice – you just need amazing talent, perseverance, and a bit of luck … although it’s a dream that many miss out on.

From there, find out which companies have jobs in the area of your choice and scour the web for information about these companies.

It might pay to contact a place that looks interesting to see if you can come in to have a look around for the day, or set up a time to meet with someone who works there to talk about what is required in their role. Refer to our sector profiles section on page 53 to get an idea of some different jobs and sectors.

If you’ve kept a part-time job following secondary school, then you could try and set up some work experience or an internship at a company that you’re interested in. This is a common practice in fashion and some media companies.

With many businesses under financial pressure, jobs aren’t exactly being handed out at the door, but if you’re interning at a place on an ongoing basis, then you could be considered for a paid position when one becomes available.

Potential employers may also appreciate someone who is willing to help out for nothing, and it’s a great experience you can add to your CV. If you’re interested in the not-forprofit sector, you could also use the time to get into some volunteer work.

Volunteering makes up a surprisingly huge sector in New Zealand, and help is always needed.

You can find out how organisations handle getting the job done on a shoestring budget, and feel proud that you’re helping parts of society that desperately need it.

How can the web help?

The very best way to find information about study and the specifics of courses is to go directly to the websites of the various universities, ITPs (polytechnics), wa-nanga, and private training establishments. Check out the map on page 26 for a comprehensive list of all the tertiary institutions in New Zealand!

JETmag’s advice: once you’ve decided what subject areas interest you, look on the individual institutions’ websites to get specifics about those courses.

As with any third party website, the information is not guaranteed to reflect the latest changes. Go straight to the source.

Will your course lead to a job?

Another aspect to consider is your job prospects. Sure, a psychology or visual arts degree might sound awesome, but the job prospects after graduating might not be as good as those in other fields.

If you come away from a tertiary institution with a qualification in an area that desperately needs workers, then finding a job will be relatively pain-free.

This is something you should look into prior to enrolling.

It also pays to think about what parts of the country employ the most people in different sectors. For example, Christchurch might have a higher demand for builders during the rebuild than, say, Dunedin, will have. Be aware that you may have to move to where the work is to land your first graduate job.

To make yourself attractive to potential employers, ensure you work hard while studying in order to make your academic transcript something to be proud of and something to get you noticed.

When deciding on a qualification, you should look at how well recognised it is in the workforce; ask your teachers, parents, parents’ friends, wha-nau, and careers counsellors which institutions and courses are well regarded in the area in which you want to study.

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The gap year You don’t need to dive straight into a decision once you leave school. The time-honoured ‘big OE’ (overseas experience) can show you the world in a way you only imagined in school. Take your pick where you go – the world is your oyster, and pearls of adventure lie in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. However, every country has different visa requirements, and for almost every country you will need an entry visa. Research these on your chosen country’s government website.

The glory of the gap year is that you can get a working holiday visa in some countries, which allows you freedom to earn while you experience life abroad.

Great first-up jobs for gap year Kiwis include working as an au pair (nanny), summer camp work in the US, or being a snowboard or ski instructor in Canada or Europe. Casual work in hospitality (pubs, cafés, and restaurants) is a gap year income staple.

The reason it’s called a gap year is that when you return to New Zealand you then face the same choice: study or full-time work. Many successfully get into a course, defer their enrolment for a year, and then go off on their big OE for 12 months.

JOBS

WELCOME to the ‘J’ in JETmag This is where we talk about all things jobs. From how to write a CV to the most commonly asked interview questions, we’ve got you covered.

One of the hardest things while transitioning into adulthood is getting your first job. It helps to have a resource to refer to while overcoming the obstacles that come with job hunting… so here it is!

What are the highestand lowest-paying industries?

Find out which jobs and industries in New Zealand are paying the most money, and how qualifications relate to earnings.

Highest-paying industries

Lowest-paying industries

▪▪ Consultancy and strategy ▪▪ Information and communication technology (ICT) ▪▪ Engineering ▪▪ Real estate and property ▪▪ Banking and financial services ▪▪ Marketing, media and communications ▪▪ Accounting ▪▪ Human resources and recruiting

▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Retail sales Hospitality and tourism Manufacturing and operations Call centre and customer service Administration and office support Transport and logistics Agriculture, fishing and forestry

Source: Trade Me, ‘Salary Survey’, December 2015 6

What impact do qualifications have on earnings?

Your level of education has been proven to have a big effect on how much you can earn. Generally, the higher your qualification, the more you will earn.

Find out more at Careers New Zealand https://goo.gl/7as9Po.

Start your career right Get the qualification you need with the Southern Institute of Technology Available areas of study include, Agriculture, Floristry, Architectural Technology, Art, Design, Photography, Audio Production, Automotive and Road Transport, Beauty Therapy, Business and Commerce, Information Technology, Construction and many more.

NCEA Level 2, but don’t want to have to sit through classes they have no interest in, in order to gain enough credits for further study.

If that sounds like you, one of SIT’s Vocational Pathways courses might be what you’re after. Classes in subjects like Construction and Allied Trades, Automotive and Heavy Trades, Engineering, Hospitality, Digital Media, Tourism, Electrical, Salon Skills and Collision Repair, are all on offer.

There are even Distance Learning options where students can study online towards a qualification, without having to be located in the cities SIT has campus bases. SIT has five campuses spread throughout New Zealand. The main one To be eligible for these courses, students is in Invercargill, with smaller campuses must be over 16 years old when the based in Gore, Queenstown, Christchurch, course is due to start, or 15 years old with and Auckland. a school leaving certificate. You will need Unlike other tertiary institutions in New to have proficiency in the English language Zealand, at SIT, you won’t have to get a (both written and spoken), but numeracy student loan for thousands of dollars to and literacy skills can be built on within cover your education. We have the Zero your course too.

Fees scheme, the only one of its kind in If you already have NCEA Level 2, you can the country. This means that tuition is look at going straight into Certificate Level free and the only fees you will have to pay study, but if you lack the credits to get are direct material costs, which could save into Certificate courses, our Vocational you thousands of dollars! Who wants to Pathways options can get you up to speed, be paying off student debt for the next so you can get qualified in the area you’re 10-20 years? into.

SIT also offers NCEA Level 2 Vocational So what are you waiting for?

Pathways courses. These are for students that have left school before completing

ZERO FEES @ SIT With over 200 courses In 33 subject areas, from Certificate to Masters, SIT has the option for you.

Call today or email info@sit.ac.nz 0800 4 0 FEES www.sit.ac.nz

JOBS

Finding a job: the basics

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our family most likely won’t support you when you leave school (and if they do, lucky you!), so whether it’s a part-time job to help while you study or a full-time job to help you work your way up the career ladder, here are some tips for snapping up that first job, which can be a pretty brutal process at times.

How young is too young?

The first steps

You can potentially leave school if you’re under 16, but you need a plan (preferably a job or training position lined up) and an early leaving exemption from the Ministry of Education. Bear in mind that the Ministry declines about 90 per cent of all early leaving exemptions, as they want to encourage students to stay in school and gain a qualification.

If you want to go down this path, talk to your school’s career advisor or year dean. Otherwise your best option is to attain some NCEA credits.

Do you need NCEA credits to get a job?

The short answer is ‘no’, but consider sticking out high school until you complete NCEA Level 2. With NCEA Level 2 under your belt, you will have the foundation skills needed for many jobs, and surprisingly, this is one of the first things they will ask about.

If you’re more interested in doing an apprenticeship, many apprenticeships don’t have any NCEA requirements.

However, some industry training organisations (ITOs) recommend studying NCEA maths and English to at least Level 1 or 2 and any subject relevant to the particular apprenticeship you have your eye on.

Your very next step should be writing a curriculum vitae (CV). This is a summary of your work experience, education, and skills. We have everything you need to get this bad boy up and running, including an example to get you started.

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On your CV, summarise your NCEA results. Be smart about this by putting the results an employer would most like to see at the top of your CV and including any credits towards NCEA, even if you haven’t completed a full NCEA. Once your CV is in order, you just need to write a personalised cover letter (nothing fancy, just a couple of positive paragraphs about why you want to work at the company and what you can offer).

Make sure you personalise each cover letter per each job, e.g. for a pet shop you would say “I’m great with animals!” or for a helpline, “I’m great with people!”

Before you contact anyone, make sure your social media presence is sorted.

This means ensuring you remove any nude selfies (!), photos of you passed out in the street, trolling rants, or any other randomness that your potential new employers might find offensive.

JOBS

Work preparation checklist Life as an adult requires paperwork! To ease your transition into the workforce, you’ll need to get these things sorted: ▪▪ An IRD (tax) number.

▪▪ A driver’s licence.

▪▪ A bank account.

▪▪ A birth certificate.

▪▪ Interview and work clothes.

▪▪ Transport (a way to get to and from work, such as a car or public transport).

Your parents, guardians or wha-nau should be able to help you with most of these things. Most jobs require a combination of or all the items on the list above.

What sort of job do you want?

You know you want money, but do you know the field you want to work in? For a start, if you haven’t already completed the personality type quiz on page 38, jump back there now and give it a crack.

There are a heap of career suggestions in JETmag. Take your time to read through each one, then narrow your choices to a field you think you’d do well in.

Want a second opinion? Try the trusty Careers New Zealand career checker at www.careers.govt.nz/tools/ career-checker. There are hundreds of occupations listed on the Careers New Zealand website, and this fiveminute quiz is the key to unlocking them. Go on, check it out, we can wait.

Think about all the stuff that makes you tick. There has to be a good job that will be a good match for you. What is your passion? What are your hobbies?

The nitty gritty – applying for work

Good jobs to try for straight out of school

Now you’re all set, here we go! The best way to find work these days is online.

Here are the most popular websites:

Retail sales: If you love shopping, you might be a natural in retail. A sales or customer service position requires a sunny personality and lots of enthusiasm but also means you’re standing on your feet all day. Retail can mean anything from clothes (a private boutique or a department store like Farmers), sporting goods, and hardware (for example, Bunnings or Mitre10).

Careers New Zealand A very comprehensive government resource, with advice covering all situations for school leavers. Of particular interest is the jobs database, which details all aspects of many common jobs, including the current employment prospects in that sector.

Links to vacancies are listed under each type of job. Go to www.careers.govt.nz.

SEEK The most comprehensive jobs database in New Zealand (and Australia), SEEK arranges jobs in easy-to-understand sections and by location. If you want to find work as a retail shop assistant in New Plymouth, then look under ‘Retail & Consumer Products’, then ‘Retail Assistants’ in Taranaki. Sorted! Go to www.seek.co.nz.

Trade Me Good old Trade Me… why not buy a second hand car, some DVDs, and look for a job at the same time?

New Zealand’s favourite website has thousands of jobs to choose from, arranged in similar categories to SEEK. Go to www.trademe.co.nz.

Other methods ▪▪ Talk to family, friends and neighbours – word of mouth is a very powerful way to find a job.

▪▪ Check listings in local newspapers.

▪▪ Sign up to job vacancy websites.

▪▪ Contact employers directly (known as ‘cold calling’).

▪▪ Sign up with a recruitment company – there is no charge for this.

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Hospitality: This has a high turnover (where job openings frequently appear) in jobs such as a waiter, kitchen hand, and bar person (if you’re old enough to drink alcohol, you’re old enough to serve it). Work in hospitality is often casual, but any job, even a casual job, will boost your CV. Fast food restaurants like McDonald’s or Burger King are big employers in this sector.

The New Zealand Defence Force (Army, Navy, and Air Force): If you have a sense of adventure or duty to your country, this might be a great option. The New Zealand Defence Force accepts school leavers for many different types of jobs (not just those involving guns).

To enter the Army and the Navy you need at least eight NCEA credits in English and eight credits in maths at Level 1 (some roles require at least 12 credits per subject).

To enter the Air Force, you need at least 12 credits in English and maths at Level 1 and some roles require at least 12 credits at Level 2. (See ‘Want skills for life?’ on page 17.)

JOBS

Revamp your CV:

get noticed!

So, you know the basics of how to put together a CV. But will your CV make you stand out in a very crowded crowd? Here are a couple of tips to ramp up the quality of your CV and get you noticed.

The social side In this day and age it’s more than likely that employers will scope you out on social media before hiring you. Enhance your appeal by including evidence of your professional thinking and showing that you’re contributing to industry debate and discussions.

Dedicate some time to your social media activity. There’s not much point sending someone to your profile or blog if it’s not up to date. You don’t need to be an advanced professional to join online forums, blogs and groups – you just need an opinion and an interest. For example, if you want a career in fashion, a Pinterest or Instagram account with your own designs and inspirations could show your commitment.

Put your blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google+ addresses on your CV in your ‘contact details’ area under something along the lines of ‘Industry profile’. This is where you can mention the LinkedIn groups or industry blogs where you are active, your membership of professional bodies, and show that you’re up to date with current trends and debates.

Things like Facebook, personal Twitter or Tumblr can be included, but are definitely not necessary – only include these if they show you in a good light.

If your Facebook or Instagram has a lot of social chatter/pics and isn’t professionally geared, don’t bother directing employers to these on your CV. But at the same time, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through – add your hobbies, sporting and leisure interests away from social media as well.

It’s all about establishing you as someone with an opinion in the sector where you want to make your mark.

… don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through …

CV glamour is in!

JETmag and other guides can suggest what you put in your CV, but there’s not 10

a lot of guidance around on what your CV should look like. Instead of fudging through and making up something in Word, look for online design studios that create breathtakingly beautiful templates. They can cost as little as $40 or $50, but with competition so fierce, making yourself memorable with a gorgeous CV is one way to get yourself in front of an employer.

Check out the awesome CVs/resumés from here to see what is available: http://loftresumes.com/collections/ loft-resumes – there are plenty of other websites that offer similar services.

If you or a mate are artistic, you can create your own beautiful CV. Graphic designers are notoriously awesome at this kind of thing. CVs as infographics are all the rage, so Google some examples and get inspired!

And NO typos!

The number one reason employers say they bin CVs without even finishing them is when they come across typos.

Check, check and recheck your text, then get someone else to check it for you.

JOBS

Starting out: CV basics

Wondering how to go about putting your first Henare Jacks on Contact details CV together? While many 123 Papamoa Beach Road Pa pamoa templates are available TAURANGA Tel (07) 123 4567 on the web, this example Email hena rejackson@em ail.com gives you a good idea Skills and abili ties • Communicatio of the basics. If you lack n As a volunt eer at a primar y school in Japa coordinate n, I taught child d communicat job experience, focus on ren to speak En ion between th also fluent glish. e school and its in Japanese). affiliate in New • Organisatio Zeala n the skills you may have As an law assistant this is a key attribute, • Multi-taskin along with punc g tuality and effic gained through study As an assis iency. tant at a law fir m I have been re while still m quired to work eeting clear de on several thin adlines for each and volunteer work, gs at o project.

Work experie nce • Law firm as as Henare has done. sistant – 2016 to current My duties include drawin g up cases for making no the associates, tes, answering Remember, volunteer spreadsheeting the phone, and in Microso writing confide ntial reports.

• Supermarke t checkout oper ator – 2008 to My duties work is an excellent 2011 included custo mer service, op incoming sto erating a chec ck. kout, stacking shelves and so way to gain experience, Volunteer experience • English lang uage teacher in and it shows how keen Japan – 2012 Education • Bachelor of you are.

Laws (LLB), the U niversity of Auck • NCEA Leve land – 2016 l 3, Tauranga Boys’ College (Endorsed Mer it) – 2011 Referees • Pierre Mon treux – Director , The Law Firm Tel (07) 12 3 4567 or Mob ile 123 456 78 9 • Sam White – Manager, Th e Supermarket Tel (07) 12 3 4567

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JOBS

How to prepare for an interview I

f you’ve ever had an interview, you’ll know it’s hardly a walk in the park. Picture sweaty palms, cold air conditioning, and more questions than an NCEA statistics exam.

Here are JETmag’s best tips for successfully preparing for an interview: Dress for the occasion This honestly isn’t hard! It all depends on the kind of job you’re going for.

Showing up for a tradie interview in a tuxedo may look a little extreme, so it all depends on the context. Generally all you need is a tidy shirt, black trousers, and you’re good to go.

Don’t be late This is the absolute number one rule if you want to make a good and lasting impression. Rule of thumb: if you’re 20 minutes early, you’re early; if you’re 10 minutes early, you’re on time, and if you’re on time, you’re late.

Have some questions to ask the interviewer Asking the interviewer questions will show you’re interested in the position and also keen to see whether it’s the right fit for you. (Don’t forget to practise the most commonly asked interview questions on the next page) BE PREPARED Duh! Along with practising all your questions and answers, looking awesome and being on time, it’s important to show your preparation too. Research the company and its values; bring all the appropriate documents, focus on your body language and act confident!

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Don’t lie CV fraud is actually a big thing, believe it or not, and around 43 per cent of people have admitted to lying on their CV in one way or another. Those who lie on their CV about their skills or experience are almost always found out.

Haven’t got all the ‘essential’ skills and experience? Apply anyway!

Pre-empt the employer’s concerns in your cover letter by saying something like, “Although I have not had a paid job as a manager, I was president of my local Toastmasters Club for three years.

I enjoy helping people achieve their goals and working with them to remove barriers to their success. In my time as president, my initiatives meant our club grew from 15 to 25 members and we hosted a regional conference for 200 people”.

JOBS

?

The 10 most commonly asked

interview questions

Interviews can be terrifying. One thing that eases the stress is to know you are prepared. Use the questions below as a guide to plan your responses to the questions an interviewer will most likely ask you. Remember, these are not tailored to specific jobs – it helps to think of your own too!

Describe a time you were in a difficult situation and how you overcame it?

Why should we hire you?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Tell me about yourself

Do you have any questions about us or the job?

What is your biggest weakness?

What is your biggest strength?

Why do you want to work for us?

What do you know about us?

What is your biggest accomplishment?

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JOBS

Five tips for a

successful job application

F

or many young people, looking for a job becomes reality once the secondary and tertiary semesters have ended. For the more seasoned worker, a new year often brings about a desire to explore other career options. Whatever your situation, there are a number of steps you can put into place to avoid falling into the deep, dark hole of ‘unsuccessful applications’.

1

Don’t apply blindly online for every possible job

It is not a great use of your time, and it certainly is not good for your selfesteem. With many businesses using automated tracking systems now, you’ll often receive an automated rejection, or worse still, no response at all, leaving you wondering just what did you do wrong. Take the time to apply for jobs that are real possibilities.

2

Planning is critical

Virtually every job requires you to meet specific goals, expectations and targets, and job search is no different. Your job search should be well planned and not on an ad-hoc basis, if you want it to deliver results. Simply going through the motions is counterproductive. Take the time to plan! I have a firm belief that if you are looking for work, then, until you find work, your full-time job is to find work!

3

Think outside the box

You must consider all options during your job search and this means thinking beyond job listing sites such as Trade Me, Seek, or other online and social media sites. With an estimated 70–75 per cent of jobs not even being advertised, it is imperative that you use your contacts, networks and other techniques as part of your job search.

4

repare for a less than 100% success rate

Dan Carter is arguably one of the world’s greatest rugby players and is a highly regarded goal kicker in modern rugby, yet his success rate is far from perfect at 77.6 per cent. Throughout your job search, just like Dan Carter, you will miss opportunities too – and sometimes you will miss opportunities that you really want and think you should have got. It’s important that you are prepared for this – it’s a true testament of your character and level of resilience. Be prepared to pick yourself up and try again.

5

Get your documentation right

Remember, your applications are often being screened by a machine so you must develop an up-todate strategy that ensures your application gets past the system and through to human eyes. It’s critical that your CV and cover letter contain key and relevant details that will work to get you through the automated process and, once there, gain the attention of the recruiter.

In today’s highly competitive job market, it’s more critical than ever that you stand out from the competition and employ a number of different strategies throughout your search.

Author: Lyndal Clark is a career coach at My Coach and is extremely successful in helping young adults transition into employment. For further information go to www.mycoach.net.nz, www.facebook.com/CoachLyndal.

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JOBS

Ramping up your side job I

f you’re aspiring to a day job, having another interest can boost your chances of success.

Sometimes, your side job can become your full-time job. This is how many young entrepreneurs got their start.

The advantages to having a hobby include building or honing job-relevant skills, giving an outlet to your passion, and in many cases, generating a bit of sweet cash.

Stuck for ideas on what you can do for a side job? Try out some of these gems: Coding/computer programming Are you the next Zuckerberg?

Coding is the money skill you want to know in your 20s. Coding is how start-ups turn into billion-dollar powerhouses. Guys like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, and Tumblr’s David Karp all started as programmers. You could too.

Make an app Mobile devices (phones and tablets) now outsell desktop PCs and laptops. The mobile app market is huge and growing by the day. If you don’t have the technical skills, just find a developer and pitch them your awesome idea(s).

Modelling Unless you’re Miranda Kerr, part-time modelling isn’t going to make you rich, but you get to rub shoulders with creative types and fashionistas.

Modelling isn’t just about the catwalk.

You could be a hand or foot model, do Farmers catalogues, or be a hairstyle model for hairdressers.

Run a social media account with sponsored content You ever see those random Facebook pages dedicated to funny videos, pictures, and memes with millions of likes? Well regular

people run those, and often, they get paid to post. It’s all a matter of accumulating users and getting people to sponsor you.

opportunities for voice actors. If you have a wide vocal range, over time, you might ride this skill into radio, TV, or movie work.

Editing or proofreading

Photography

Brilliant at English or te reo Maori and not sure how to apply your wordsmithing skills? Become a freelance proofreader or editor.

Check out the online diplomas you can do, then set up a website to attract clients. No one likes typos, so go out there and make the world a better place.

If you’ve taken selfies to the next level, maybe it’s time to invest in a good digital SLR camera and become a part-time photographer.

Create a Flickr account or a website, then begin shooting weddings and parties. Once you get enough practice, you can start licensing your photos. If you’re a legend, your work could end up in magazines or on websites.

Graphic design Graphic design is a really versatile skill. Depending on your skill, you can work your way to designing for major corporations and websites.

Visual media is one of the most

DJing Scratching the digital vinyl isn’t too hard – especially if you have an ear for good music and up-

Sometimes, your side job can become your full-time job. This is how many young entrepreneurs got their start. important assets in business today, and companies crave slick PR imagery.

Personal training If you already keep it tight, then why not get paid to help other people do the same? Personal training not only puts some extra cash in your pocket, but it keeps you fit, and it’s a great way to meet new hot guys or girls looking to do the same.

Voicework All those hours in drama could pay off – especially if you’re shy about putting your face on stage or on TV. There are plenty of amateur 15

and-coming artists. Plus, you can get paid for it, too. All you need to do is have a Fire Radio playlist (google it) and know how to click one magical button – usually the space bar.

Blogging Everyone has something to say.

The key thing is make your opinion highly sought after. Anyone can create a blog, but the hard part is monetising it. Even so, there are plenty of people who bring in an income (even a modest one) through broadcast their opinions.

Be sure to find a niche!

JOBS

Five reasons to try

temporary work

W

hether you’re already in work or are looking to enter the workforce for the very first time, you may like to consider the idea of temporary work, or ‘temping’.

Once seen as just a ‘gap filler’ until a permanent job comes up, temping is a real option for many people and delivers a number of other benefits not only to your job search but also to your CV.

1

It looks good on your CV

If you are in between jobs, have recently been laid off, or are entering the workforce for the first time, temping can be a useful addition on your CV to show you are prepared to do whatever it takes to work. It’s far easier to explain a less than ideal ‘temp role’ than weeks, months or even years of no work!

2

It’s an opportunity to try before you buy

Temping can be a great way to try different industries and jobs without the commitment required of a full-time job.

3

It opens new doors

Temping can provide you with a great platform to showcase your skills and expertise. You will grow your network of contacts who can be valuable in your job search. You will come away with references and work experience that can prove invaluable in your job search.

4

It may turn into a permanent job

Many companies operate a ‘temp-toperm’ scenario, whereby if after a set period of time all parties are keen to continue to work together, the role may move into a permanent position.

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5

It gives you an income

At the end of the day we all have bills to pay and commitments to meet and while it may not be the ‘perfect’ job for you – it can remove some of the financial pressure and stresses while you find that job!

Many people love the unpredictability and flexibility that temping can bring; it suits their lifestyles, their financial circumstances, and most of all it provides them with an opportunity to explore different industries and organisations. It may not be a long-term option for you, but you can’t ignore some of the many benefits it can deliver.

Author: Lyndal Clark is a career coach at My Coach and is extremely successful in helping young adults transition into employment. For further information go to www.mycoach.net.nz, www.facebook.com/CoachLyndal.

JOBS

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is made up of the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force.

The primary purpose of the NZDF is to defend New Zealand in times of war, but it also conducts a range of other activities, such as disaster relief.

W

ith more than 80 roles (known as trades), the job diversity is huge – there is literally something for everybody. Trades range from combat to IT and communications, health, logistics, engineering, hospitality, workshop (technical), and management (officers).

If you reckon you have leadership potential, you can join the NZDF as an officer. Officers are the ones who can take control of a situation, command people and resources, and make decisions under pressure.

Want skills for life?

Join the New Zealand Defence Force

World-class training The NZDF provides world-class training, and through that training you get access to high-tech equipment not found anywhere else. This can be a good alternative to doing an apprenticeship through an industry training organisation or studying at a polytech.

The upside to training with the NZDF is that you get paid while you learn. New recruits start on a salary of about $31,000 during their initial

12 to 16 weeks of training, and food and accommodation is included.

After graduation the salary jumps to at least $44,000 per year and increases regularly as you upskill and get promoted.

Should you leave, you will be taking with you a wealth of transferable skills and experience. If you’re smart, active, a good team player, and passionate about making a difference, you may enjoy a career in the New Zealand Defence Force.

Find out more at defencecareers.mil.nz.

Fast facts about tax

T

ax is a compulsory contribution of money to your country’s/ state’s overall revenue, taken from income and sales profits (added to majority transactions, goods and services). It may seem unfair, but the New Zealand Government has done an excellent job at making tax as fair as possible.

The amount of tax that is deducted from your income depends on your individual tax code.Your code primarily depends on how many jobs/sources of income you have, how much you earn, also whether or not you have a student loan, so listen up!

New Zealand’s tax rate is 33% for an income over NZ$70,000. At the other end of the scale, the tax rate is 10.5% on income up to $14,000. See above table from the New Zealand IRD (Inland Revenue Department).

This means if you are being paid $14 an hour, effectively $1.40 is taken off as tax. However, each person would qualify for a different code, which may or may not change the amount the tax deducted from your pay.

If you have a student loan you’re required to use a main tax code that includes ‘SL’ unless you have a repayment deduction exemption.

You’ll need a separate code for any income you receive from a second job or another source.

Same again, if you hold a student loan, you are required to use a secondary tax code that includes ‘SL’ You can ask your employer to make student loan deductions from your pay.

This is something many people do to ease the stress of paying off a lump sum.

It’s all a pretty confusing concept, so it’s not uncommon to ask for help or advice regarding your taxation or tax code.

For help working out your tax code head to www.ird.govt.nz/how-to/ taxrates-codes/workout.

Tax rate

Taxable income

10.5%

Up to $14,000

17.5%

Over $14,000 and up to $48,000

30%

Over $48,000 and up to $70,000

33%

Remaining income over $70,000

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

The ‘E’ and the ‘T’ in JETmag stand for ‘education’ and ‘training’– funny that!

This is the section where we talk about all the nitty gritty of further study or tertiary training outside of school. We discuss loans and allowances, where you can study, and we also give you a little insight into what other students are up to in their studies. If you’ve got it in you to continue learning after school, this is the section for you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING WITH NCEA

T

he first weeks of school are actually the most important.

Logically, one would be inclined to think end of year exams is the most important time for high school students across the country.

However, from my personal experience of the last four years at high school, it’s actually the first weeks back that become the most important.

The first major reason is NCEA – a programme that will take over most of your life once you hit year 11. Gone away will be the laid-back days of year 10 where nothing matters, and in come the days of intense and painstaking internals.

And in my two years doing NCEA, I’ve fallen short of the ultimate achievement: an Excellence endorsement. To achieve this, you must pass the year with a total of 50 excellence credits; I had 31 at Level 1 and 39 at Level 2 – falling just short each year.

But, it wasn’t because I didn’t work hard at the end of the year; it was

because I didn’t understand the importance of gaining these credits at the start. Doing my first internal, I didn’t target excellence and probably didn’t work as hard as I could have.

In the end, it was these credits that would have proven invaluable to my cause.

Plus, let’s not forget it’s important to earn as many credits as you can before the external exams because your exams will be far harder than your internals. Far, far harder.

But, the first weeks are not just important for NCEA – they’re actually important for your whole education.

You should use the start of the year to build up various good habits and they’ll stick with you for the rest of the year. Things like, always doing homework, being prompt to class, and even keeping a planner. I for one, have started using a planner this year to make sure I know where I need to be at every point of the day. Now, carrying a big planner to each class can be a little inconvenient, it has 18

taken me just the first week of school to get the habit.

In essence, we, as students, come back to school expecting to slowly be brought up to speed with everything.

However, the attitude we should be taking is one of ‘hitting the ground running.’

If we set the good standards now, they will stick with us for the rest of the year. And, hopefully it’ll help you earn those precious credits early on in the year so you won’t have to majorly stress when it comes to the end of year exams.

All in all, this week and the next few are not for stuffing round. Even though it may not seem as important at the moment, that first internal could be the difference between a merit and excellence endorsement come December.

Author: Steven Walton is a student at St Andrew’s College in Christchurch.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

New Zealand’s tertiary institutions: what are the differences?

T

here are universities, of course. Most people know what they are. But where do polytechnics (ITPs), industry training organisations (ITOs), private training establishments (PTEs), and wa-nanga fit into the picture? JETmag explains the differences.

Geography is usually a big factor in choosing where to study. Aucklanders could study at the University of Auckland, AUT University, or Massey University, for example. But there are also ITPs such as Unitec and the Manukau Institute of Technology, not to mention dozens of private training establishments. Depending on the course you want, there are institutions such as Computer Power Plus, Servilles Academy, Media Design School, AMES IT Academy … the list goes on and on, and that’s just in Auckland!

Qualifications can sometimes be similar across unis, ITPs and private providers, but they all have a different emphasis. Take the time to do your research. The institutions’ websites always have course information – be careful to note any special advantages they offer, such as links to industry.

Be sure to shop around when you are deciding on your further learning institution. Don’t associate a university degree with being the most likely way to get you the job you want because the workforce continually changes, and a polytech or private training establishment may be the tertiary education provider that has evolved the fastest in your chosen sector.

Universities Civilisation is founded on the notion that knowledge and the desire to understand, and explain this understanding to others, is a fundamental human need. This is the purpose that universities fulfil.

The respect accorded to universities, embodied in the principal of academic freedom, is crucial to the ability of a society to mature and grow.

Universities offer the highest and most challenging level of education. You go to university to get a degree (and after that, an honours degree, a postgraduate diploma, a master’s degree, or a doctorate). You study hard and learn how to rationalise, argue, test, research, and think laterally.

There are eight universities in New Zealand. The University of Auckland has the highest international rankings, followed by the University of Otago, the University of Canterbury, and Victoria University of Wellington. However, all New Zealand unis have good international reputations; all eight ranked in the top 500 in the 2013 QS World University Rankings.

As with ITPs, universities have learning areas in which they are internationally renowned. For example, Lincoln University has a focus on agriculture and farming, Victoria University excels in law and the humanities, and the University of Waikato has a great business school. Some research will help you to decide the best university for you.

Universities in New Zealand ▪▪ The University of Auckland ▪▪ AUT University ▪▪ The University of Waikato ▪▪ Victoria University of Wellington ▪▪ The University of Canterbury ▪▪ The University of Otago ▪▪ Massey University ▪▪ Lincoln University 20

Institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) Polytechnics pride themselves on being based on the practical pursuit of learning; their courses are focused on getting you a job.

The range of subjects at ITPs is wide and varied – you can study anything from nursing to interior design.

Polytechnics offer qualifications to suit students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience. Each institution has a range of degrees, diplomas, and certificates you can study, all in specific fields. Like most tertiary education providers, ITPs have areas of speciality. For example, Whitireia specialises in the arts and communication (e.g. creative writing, publishing, and journalism), whereas Otago Polytechnic and Unitec have strong veterinary nursing programmes.

New Zealand ITPs ▪▪ Ara Institute of Canterbury ▪▪ Bay of Plenty Polytechnic ▪▪ Eastern Institute of Technology ▪▪ Manukau Institute of Technology ▪▪ Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology ▪▪ Northland Polytech (NorthTec) ▪▪ Open Polytechnic of New Zealand ▪▪ Otago Polytechnic ▪▪ Southern Institute of Technology ▪▪ Tai Poutini Polytechnic ▪▪ Unitec New Zealand ▪▪ Universal College of Learning ▪▪ Waiariki Institute of Technology ▪▪ Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) ▪▪ Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) ▪▪ Western Institute of Technology Taranaki ▪▪ Whitireia Community Polytechnic

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Industry training organisations (ITOs) Industry training organisations (ITOs) develop training programmes and qualifications for industries and the government. Following recent mergers, there are currently 11 ITOs in New Zealand, and they cover all industries.

ITOs provide information about industry skill demand, define national skill standards and qualifications required by industry, and broker training to meet the needs of employees in industry (working with private industry-specific training providers to do so).

If you want an apprenticeship in the trades, the ITOs are the place to go.

They organise on-the-job training, offthe-job learning, ongoing assessment, and provide up-to-date information to employees and employers.

New Zealand’s current registered ITOs are: ▪▪ BCITO – Building, construction, flooring, masonry, glass and glazing, joinery, interior systems, and painting and decorating.

▪▪ Careerforce – Health and disability support, social and community support, cleaning, caretaking, and pest management.

▪▪ Competenz – Engineering, manufacturing, forestry, communications and media, maritime and rail transport, and other trades (locksmithing, fire protection, refrigeration, heating and air conditioning).

▪▪ Connexis – Civil construction, electricity supply and transmission, water, and telecommunications.

▪▪ HITO – Hairdressing, barbering and beauty.

▪▪ MITO – Automotive, commercial road transport and logistics, stevedoring and ports, freight forwarding

Private Training Establishments (PTEs) For-profit doesn’t necessarily mean a compromise in training quality. Private training establishments take a niche and specialise in it, which can often lead to industry-specific programmes that lead to better employment prospects after

you graduate. Great examples include Servilles Academy, which is a leading provider of training for hairdressers and hospitality workers; Computer Power Plus, which specialises in IT training; and CTC Aviation (see inside front cover), which trains pilots.

PTES generally provide education at

Quality qualifications The cost of industry training is subsidised and you will be guided through the whole process – but you need to know a few things.

Industry training usually means you do not need a student loan. However, you may have to pay for course-related costs for NZQA registration, training materials, and the support from the ITO. The best way to find out about your fees is to talk to your employer, modern apprenticeship coordinator, or an ITO. The qualification you get at the end of the apprenticeship depends on your industry. It will usually be a national certificate at Levels 3 and 4.

NZQA qualifications are recognised throughout New Zealand and can even be transferred overseas. There are also special trade and business qualifications administered by the NZQA.

Wananga Wananga are New Zealand tertiary education institutions that focus on practical learning and embrace a teaching and learning philosophy that centres on Ma-ori culture and knowledge.

In traditional times, the word wa-nanga conveyed meanings related to highly evolved knowledge, lore, and occult arts reached through discussion to arrive at deeper understanding. In wa-nanga classes, students learn from each other as well as the teacher.

At wa-nanga, you learn how to learn.

They also offer: ▪▪ bridging certificates ▪▪ diplomas ▪▪ bachelor’s degrees ▪▪ postgraduate qualifications, such as master’s degrees and PhDs.

21

▪▪

▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

and distribution, industrial textile fabrication, extractives and drilling, gas and petrochemical, protective coating, and resource recovery.

NZ MAC ITO – Boat building design and manufacturing, composite manufacturing, and marine support services.

Primary ITO – Agriculture, horticulture, sports turf, equine, dairy manufacturing, meat processing and seafood.

ServiceIQ – Tourism, travel, retail, hospitality, museums, aviation and wholesale goods operations.

Skills Active Aotearoa – Sports, fitness and recreation The Skills Organisation – Plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, roofing, electrotechnology, real estate, financial services, local government, public sector (with some exclusions), security, contact centre, offender management, cranes and scaffolding, ambulance, emergency management, and fire services.

the certificate and diploma level, and although the sting in the tail can be high course fees, the likelihood of subsequent employment for students is high.

There are hundreds of training providers across the country. Online research may uncover the PTE that is right for you.

Many of these programmes can be studied part-time during weekdays, in the evening, at the weekend, or from home. Programmes are delivered in a uniquely Ma-ori environment and are based on a teaching that provides an inclusive, interactive, and nurturing learning experience.

There are three wa-nanga in Aotearoa, plus Open Wa-nanga (a distance learning campus of Te Wa-nanga o Aotearoa.

Each has campuses throughout the country. They are: ▪▪ Te Wa-nanga o Aotearoa ▪▪ Te Wa-nanga o Raukawa ▪▪ Te Whare Wa-nanga o Awanuia-rangi.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Scholarships aplenty A surprising number of the scholarships available don’t have any applicants, because a lot of people think they haven’t got a chance.”

The good news for school leavers quietly freaking out about the costs involved with their next move – be it further study, training or diving into the workforce – is that there are literally thousands of scholarships, grants and awards out there to help ease the load.

A

dam Goldwater knows all about scholarships. A careers evening at school opened his eyes to the number of scholarships out there for the taking. An aspiring horticulture student, he discovered a cluster of horticulture scholarships available on Massey University’s website. He applied, and was successful in securing the Zespri and Horticulture New Zealand scholarships in his first year at university. The following year he won three more scholarships, each helping to relieve some of the financial burden of university study.

“I didn’t have a part-time job during my degree, only during the summer,” said Goldwater. “When going to uni, you have to pay quite high fees, but it means you can come out pretty much debtfree if you work hard and keep getting scholarships.”

How to get a scholarship To get a scholarship, you generally need to meet certain criteria. According to Careers New Zealand this is typically based on things like your area of study, your chosen industry or trade, academic merit, community service or involvement, ethnicity, financial hardship, leadership, the region you grew up in, or where you plan to study.

Seldom are two scholarships the same – they can vary hugely in what they cover. Some scholarships may cover tuition fees only, while others cover all course costs and some of your living expenses.

Many universities, polytechnics and other education providers offer their own scholarships, grants and awards, and usually list these on their websites, along with eligibility criteria and application forms. Most providers have 22

a scholarships officer or career advisor on hand who can answer questions about eligibility and help with the process.

Government agencies offer and administer a large number of scholarships, grants and awards as well, and the New Zealand Government website covers all government departments and agencies.

For students interested in training in a specific industry area, the relevant industry training organisation (ITO) is worth checking. Some also offer scholarships, or have information about where you can get scholarships related to that area of work.

There are a large number of scholarships available to Ma-ori and Pasifika students. Scholarship recipient Hautahi Kingi urges people to “give it a go”.

EDUCATION & TRAINING “A surprising number of the scholarships available don’t have any applicants, because a lot of people think they haven’t got a chance,” he says.

Kingi recommends the givME database as a first port of call for scholarship seekers. givME is a free searchable database provided by Generosity New Zealand with information on more than 4,000 funding schemes covering study, professional development, research, travel, arts, sport, and community projects.

Completing scholarship applications can be timeconsuming. Tertiary student, Ani Ross-Hoskins says it took her at least five hours to complete an application, but the hard work paid off as she landed a Lincoln University Scholarship for Excellence, which paid for her yearly academic fees as well as a living allowance of $4,000 a year.

Most scholarships will ask for references. Referees’ statements are usually required by the closing date of the scholarship application.

Victoria University of Wellington’s scholarships office advises applicants to ensure that referees are the appropriate people to provide the kind of information about you that the selection panel will need to know.

“Always make sure that your referees know of every scholarship you have applied for in which they are listed as a referee. If they are aware of the particular requirements of each scholarship, they will be more able to provide the appropriate information to each scholarship selection panel.”

5 steps to scholarship success

1 2 3 4

Adapted from Careers New Zealand.

Case studies and information published with the permission of Careers New Zealand (careers.govt.nz).

5

23

Know what’s on offer Most libraries provide free access to the givME database. Get to know the full range of scholarships available to you so you don’t miss out on anything.

Make sure you qualify Read through the scholarship information carefully to make sure you meet the criteria. Make a list of the scholarships you are qualified to apply for.

Gather your information To apply for a scholarship, you will most likely need to fill out forms and supply documents to support your application.

You need to collect, make copies of, and certify all the necessary documents to support your application. You may also be asked to attend an interview with the selection panel.

Make a good impression A sloppy, late or incomplete application might cause the selection panel to think that the scholarship is not important to you or that you are not really interested.

Allow yourself plenty of time to put care and effort into your application. Try to do everything you can to show that you are deserving of the award. Be tidy, be thorough and be timely.

Do a final check Check, check, and recheck. Use this checklist to make sure you are ready to submit your application: ▪▪ Fill in the application forms carefully.

▪▪ Check for spelling mistakes.

▪▪ Provide all the necessary supporting documents.

▪▪ Get copies of documents certified.

▪▪ Meet the closing date.

▪▪ Make copies of every application sent.

▪▪ Provide current contact details.

▪▪ Get someone to check over your application – they might pick up something you’ve missed.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Scholarship Application

Toolkit: Everything you will need to start applying for scholarships (not all of these tools will be relevant to every individual): Student ID number e.g. National Student Number (NSN) Personal ID (Driver’s license, passport, birth certificate)

Academic Transcript e.g. Record of Achievement Letter of approval from academic provider

Personal statement Referees e.g. character reference, community involvement reference, academic reference

Proof of citizenship or residency status (e.g. birth certificate, passport)

Proudly brought to you by

Public library card (Access to Generosity New Zealand's givME scholarship database)

Evidence of financial hardship (e.g. income of parent(s) or guardian, number of minors supported by that income)

IRD number Bank account details Documentation of any funding previously received

Check out 1000’s of scholarships at our website generosity.org.nz or follow us on social media to find out more.

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

Choosing the right course for your dream career Choosing your course of study can keep you up at night, but it doesn’t have to be as scary as you think.

Y

ou don’t have to have made up your mind to spend the rest of your life in a particular field by the time you leave school! The reality of the modern workforce is that it’s quite likely that you’ll change career direction at least a couple of times before you retire, and that means it’s probably more important to practise being a good learner while you’re still not sure.

Not that there’s anything wrong with dedicating yourself wholeheartedly to something – if you’ve found something that you love at a young age, you should consider yourself lucky! What we’re trying to say is, don’t be afraid to dip a toe in – after all, how can you know if you love something if you don’t try it? Particularly in the first year of university, it’s relatively easy to keep your degree fairly general and heaps of people get to the end of their first year and jump ship into a completely different subject area.

The important thing is not to be afraid to make decisions based on what’s best for you. Finding out what you don’t want to do is never a waste of time!

Work backwards The key to making good decisions is knowing yourself. When it comes to study, start with the big picture and work backwards to fill in the details. Figuring out what you want to do is going to require a lot of thought and honesty.

Careers New Zealand recommends asking yourself a series of questions as a starting point. At the top level, you could start with: Who am I? ▪▪ What am I good at?

▪▪ What do I like to do in my spare time?

▪▪ What have I achieved?

▪▪ What am I passionate about?

What are my interests?

CareerQuest is a great tool that can suggest career pathways based on your interests. Visit www.careers.govt.nz/ tools/Careerquest.

Subject Matcher is a good tool that can help you arrive at a career option based on what you liked about school.

Visit www.careers.govt.nz/ tools/subject-matcher.

What are my skills?

Working out what skills you have can open up career options you may never have thought of. Think of the skills you’ve learned in work and other areas of your life such as sport, community work and hobbies. Visit www.careers.govt.nz/ tools/skill-matcher.

What are my values?

Finding a career that matches what’s important to you can help you feel more fulfilled in your work.

Where am I? Careers New Zealand recommends taking stock of your current situation.

What are your commitments? How ready are you to step into the workforce? What challenges do you face?

Where do I want to be?

Careers New Zealand recommends asking yourself what you want out of your job. What’s important to you?

Do you want a job that earns heaps of money? Is career satisfaction or making a difference more important to you than money? Do you like to be in charge of things? Do you want a job that gives you lots of free time so you can do other stuff?

Words of wisdom The UK’s Guardian publishes a guide to universities every year. A couple of years ago they surveyed students for their tips 25

on choosing the right university course.

Here’s some of the resulting wisdom (you can read the full article at https:// goo.gl/v08AZo): “The advice I would give would be to go to the open days and ask plenty of questions about university life, the course and support services. Chat to students for some honest first-hand experience of studying there.”

“Whatever you want to study, it’s worthwhile researching the lecturers and unit modules to find out their research interests. And for a designbased course, attend the end-of-year graduation show. You’ll be able to see students’ work, talk to them and get a real understanding of what the pros and cons are of the university.”

“Pick something you won’t mind getting up on a hangover to learn about!”

“Everyone wants to have an amazing time at university, but when the going gets tough it’s important to have a strong support network around you.

I’ve found when you are on a course such as nursing, which is emotionally, mentally and physically draining, you need people around you who you can turn to.”

Browse, browse, and browse!

Get out there and talk to people.

Browse university websites, and contact their career advisors: you’re not putting them out, or asking stupid questions!

Well, you probably are, but that’s what career advisors do: they reassure noobs that they’re not the first and won’t be the last to ask that particular silly question!

With thanks to Careers New Zealand.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Where to study in New Zealand You’ve probably heard of each of these many times from your school, from expos and from the media – now you’re going to hear it from us too! Here are all the places in New Zealand you might want to look at if you’re planning to study.

South Island universities* ▪▪ The University of Canterbury ▪▪ The University of Otago ▪▪ Lincoln University

Wananga – national ▪▪ Te Wa-nanga o Aotearoa ▪▪ Te Wa-nanga o Raukawa ▪▪ Te Whare Wa-nanga o Awanuia-rangi

South Island institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) ▪▪ Ara Institute of Canterbury ▪▪ Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology ▪▪ Open Polytechnic of New Zealand ▪▪ Otago Polytechnic ▪▪ Southern Institute of Technology ▪▪ Tai Poutini Polytechnic

North Island universities* ▪▪ The University of Auckland ▪▪ AUT University ▪▪ The University of Waikato ▪▪ Massey University ▪▪ Victoria University of Wellington Industry training organisations (ITOs) – national ▪▪ Building and Construction (BCITO) ▪▪ Careerforce ▪▪ Competenz ▪▪ EmQual ▪▪ Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand ▪▪ Infrastructure ▪▪ NZ Hairdressing ▪▪ NZ Marine ▪▪ NZ Motor ▪▪ Pharmacy ▪▪ ServiceIQ ▪▪ Skills Active Aotearoa ▪▪ The Skills Organisation ▪▪ Universal College of Learning

North Island institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) ▪▪ Bay of Plenty Polytechnic ▪▪ Eastern Institute of Technology ▪▪ Manukau Institute of Technology ▪▪ Northland Polytechnic (NorthTec) ▪▪ Open Polytechnic of New Zealand ▪▪ Unitec New Zealand ▪▪ Universal College of Learning ▪▪ Waiariki Institute of Technology ▪▪ Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) ▪▪ Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) ▪▪ Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki ▪▪ Whitireia Community Polytechnic *Where the main campus is based

26

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

Tertiary study: it’s a real learning curve After school, the way you study changes heaps – and it’s up to you to re-learn how to learn.

S

o you’re heading off to study at a university, polytech, private institute, or wa-nanga?

For many, it is an exciting time to start a journey towards a dream career and it’s a chance to leave home, explore a new city, and meet new people. But for most, it is also an extremely nerve-wracking experience – will you make friends? Where will you eat lunch? What if you get lost? What if you don’t understand the information given to you in a lecture? It can be overwhelming.

However, tertiary education providers understand that the first year of study can be a difficult time for new students, and they are fully prepared with tools and strategies to help make the transition a little easier.

No one looking over your shoulder Julian Rosser, a student recruitment advisor at Massey University’s Albany campus, says one of the biggest differences between school and

university is that there is a lot more freedom and that students generally spend less time in classes than at school – but there is still a lot of work to be done outside of class.

“There are no uniforms, no bells, and often, if you don’t turn up to class, no one will know. Of course, not turning up to classes isn’t a good idea though, since you’re spending thousands of dollars to be at university.”

One of the other most important learning curves about the transition from school to tertiary study is about being self-motivated and independent, which is especially important if you are away from home.

At school, teachers usually keep an eye on individual pupils and chase them up to ensure work is being kept up to date, but at the next level, the responsibility for learning and success rests squarely on the student – you!

“There is lots of help available to students, but it won’t be handed to you on a plate. You have to ask for it. If you are prepared to seek out help, then you are likely to succeed,” says Julian.

“This is a mental shift that students sometimes don’t realise for a year or two.”

In a room with 200 strangers Paul Fenton, the director of student learning and engagement at Auckland 28

University of Technology (AUT), agrees with the need for self-directed learning.

“You have to be in charge of your own study schedule, what you study, when, and where – no one will do this for you. It is expected that you will be able to read and interpret course outlines and that you are able to organise your timetable so you can complete these tasks on time.

“It is also not unusual to find yourself sitting in a lecture theatre with 50, 100, or even 200 or more students – this is a big difference from school teaching settings. You may also have to attend smaller group tutorials, which are more like school, and you will be expected to work in groups with people you do not know on group presentations, assignments, or tutorial discussions – something that might be challenging to adjust to.”

Help is there – but you have to ask!

While there are a few changes to adjust to when you leave school and start tertiary study, there are also plenty of places and people you can go to for guidance, and their first lot of advice is to make sure you do use the assistance on offer. Jon Stokes, from Te Wa-nanga o Aotearoa, says you should get to know your tutor, do your assignments as soon as you can, stay focused on achieving your goals, and find out what support is available.

“Talk to friends and wha-nau who have already completed tertiary studies to get their advice. What did they do? What would they do differently? Join study groups for your papers or programme to help build support networks and to help each other. Make sure you also make time to get involved and have fun, and whether you are studying at a polytechnic, wa-nanga, or university,

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Talk to friends and wha-nau who have already completed tertiary studies to get their advice. What did they do? What would they do differently?”

Weird words at uni

there will be a number of ways that you can get involved in the community of your tertiary provider.”

Orientation – events take place over a week at the start of the year to welcome students and enable them to meet new friends.

Dorm – communal living on campus with parties, messy room mates and sometimes stuff too rude to mention.

Semester – the boring months between holidays.

Lecture – not only something your parents give you when you don’t come home till 2 in the morning, but also where you’ll learn most of what you need to know.

Undergraduate – you while studying.

Postgraduate – you after finishing your course.

Master – you x5, once you’ve graduated from your first uni degree and completed the next level.

Paper – a unit of study. Alternatively, stuff people used to write on before the smartphone.

Library – the place where you hang out, flirt, smash healthy snacks, and sometimes do assignments.

Sleep – as rare as the colossal squid.

Student clubs – a place to meet likeminded souls.

Alumni – people who graduated years ago and loved uni so much they still hang around.

The big O Orientation is on the calendar for most tertiary institutes, and it is definitely a good idea to make it to the day (or week) so you can learn how your new college works and where your classes are. You might even make a few connections with other first year students doing the same course as you.

“Make the most of campus tours, orientation days, counsellors, study groups, social activities, clubs, study support, and classes that help you learn time management and essay writing,” says Julian.

Your first 40-hour week Another adjustment to make when it comes to tertiary study is the amount of time that you actually need to spend in class, completing assignments, researching information, and preparing for exams. A full-time student should spend around 40 hours a week doing course-related work (including lectures, tutorials etc.), which is a big time commitment.

Paul says it is a good idea to talk to your friends, family, and wider social network to let them know that you need to focus on being a successful student, so their support and understanding will always be appreciated.

At the end of a busy week it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the responsibilities that come with tertiary study, but remember there are people whose job it is to help you get through.

“Tertiary study does not need to be a daunting process,” says Jon. “You will make lifelong friendships, grow both personally and academically and have your limits pushed, all while working towards your goals and aspirations. Look around at the many options available to you and consider what works best for you.”

29

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Next steps: How do I…?

We answer some common questions you might have about leaving home and getting established in tertiary education. …get enrolled?

The enrolment procedures for each tertiary institution will be different, but usually each will have online and postal enrolment, and an in-person enrolment week before classes begin. Take note of the deadlines. Late enrolments incur extra fees.

Check your eligibility for the institution and course. If you’re waiting on your NCEA results, generally you can apply and will receive a conditional offer of study and then a confirmation once your NCEA results are available.

Draft up a weekly timetable to avoid any class clashes.

If your application is successful, you’ll typically receive an offer of study soon after. After sending in supporting documents and once any relevant NCEA results have come through, your offer will be confirmed.

…find accommodation?

Halls of residence: Sometimes institutions will require an academic standard such as NCEA Level 2 with Excellence and a school reference for a student to be granted a place in their halls.

Students will usually, but not always, be given a place in their first choice of hall.

There is often an application fee (for example, Victoria University’s is $75) to be paid before applications can be processed for selection and then a deposit (Victoria’s is around $600) that must be paid when you accept an offer of a place. Accommodation fees are payable in advance. Typically, you’ll need between $2,000 and $4,000 to pay the first quarterly instalment before moving in. In some halls there may be additional costs, such as electricity, telephone, internet, laundry and food.

Student flat: If you’ve got a group of mates together who are ready to go flatting, the next step is finding a place to live. Check Trade Me, ask a real estate agent, check your student union or contact your university’s student accommodation advisor.

Every flat will need to pay bond, rent, power, internet and food.

To find out what rights and responsibilities you have as a tenant, check out the Department of Building and Housing’s Guide to Flatting at www.dbh.govt.nz/flatting-101. …get financially sorted?

StudyLink, a section of the Ministry for Social Development, is responsible for delivering student loans, student allowances and providing scholarships.

A student allowance is a nonrefundable grant, so you do not have to pay it back. The amount of allowance received each week varies depending 30

on a student’s age, living arrangements, weekly wage and parents’ income. There is a calculator on the Studylink website to calculate your potential student allowance and you can apply on their website.

The application process for student loans is also managed on the StudyLink website. You can apply for a student loan to cover the cost of course fees, course-related costs and living costs.

At the end of each year, StudyLink hands over all student loans it has provided to Inland Revenue, which manages the collection of payments and any interest write-offs. …meet new people?

Join clubs. There are so many different clubs and societies on offer to students in tertiary organisations.

Get involved in Orientation Week.

Expect the unexpected, but also expect to be introduced to life on campus, including what services are available.

Check out the student union. These represent the student bodies on the university councils. Student unions organise orientation, support sporting and cultural clubs, and provide support if you’re having difficulty with study, finances or adjusting to university life. …maintain a balanced lifestyle?

There is no doubt that this is an exciting time – meeting new people, experiencing more freedom, possibly living away from home for the first time.

But remember what you’re there for!

Don’t be tempted to miss too many lectures and tutorials. Falling behind on grades can affect your student allowance and may mean you have to resit papers.

Make sure you look after yourself. Get lots of sleep, eat healthily, exercise, drink plenty of water, and be safe.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

What’s the fuss about STEM?

These days it feels like every scholarship, every training opportunity and every career pathway stems from STEM subjects. What is STEM? And what’s the big deal?

What is STEM and why is it in such hot demand?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. STEM subjects are in hot demand as they are needed to fill growth area jobs and meet skill shortages.

The rate of technological change and an increasingly competitive global market are fuelling a number of skill shortages in New Zealand; many of these are in the STEM area.

Currently not enough young Kiwis are pursuing STEM subjects to meet the rising demand for these skills. But skill shortages mean great opportunities for young people as they consider what direction their career is going to take.

The rise of STEM A report released last year, What did they do? The field of study of domestic graduates 2011-2014, shows a growth in the number of graduates at the bachelor’s level or higher in all STEM subjects over the three-year period analysed.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says the growth we are seeing is a good start STEM scholarships Futureintech.org.nz provides information on a wide range of scholarships, study awards and cadetships for students studying towards degrees and diplomas in technology, engineering and science.

The scholarships are grouped in three categories: Company-funded – scholarships from DairyNZ, Fulton Hogan, Hubbards, Plant & Food Research and Timberlands.

Other organisations – Royal Society of New Zealand, EPECentre, Zonta International, Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ),

but we need it to continue.

“It is important that we continue to grow the number of students and graduates in these “maker” subjects, to fuel the growth in our tech sector,” says Joyce.

“We need to be as strong in engineering, physical sciences, and information technology as we are in our areas of traditional strength – the social sciences and the humanities.”

The New Zealand Government, like governments all around the world, is making a conscious effort to raise the profile of STEM subjects. The Tertiary Education Strategy is focused on getting industries the skills they need.

The Ministry of Education has partnered with MBIE and the Prime Minister’s Chief Scientific Officer to launch A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara to raise awareness of the importance of science and technology among young people.

The Ministry of Education also supports initiatives like the Teach First NZ field-based teacher training programme and the Manaiakalani Digital Teachers Academy, which focus Australasian Hydrographic Society, NZ Institute of Surveyors, Edna Waddell Scholarships for Women in Technology & Engineering.

Ma-ori + Pasifika – scholarships specifically for Ma-ori and Pasifika students offered by trusts, iwi and other organisations.

Tertiary providers, which are polytechnics, institutes of technology and universities, are another good source of information, and generally have a scholarships office that can help you look for financial support for your studies.

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on teacher competence in STEM subjects.

Women in STEM There is also a raft of scholarships available (see side box) to encourage people to pursue further training in the STEM area, including some aimed specifically at women.

According to Careers NZ, only 28 per cent of STEM roles are held by women. Women make up 64 per cent of people studying for a Bachelor of Science, however the majority of those are in health subjects, with less than a quarter studying engineering and just over a third working towards a qualification in ICT. Last year NZTech ran a Shadow Tech Day initiative for female students in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington to encourage female secondary school students to consider ICT and engineering as valid career options.

So that’s the fuss about STEM. If you’re after a well-paid, sought-after, future-proof job, taking the STEM road is a good bet.

Jobs in STEM GROWTH areas Jobs using science ▪▪ Meteorologist ▪▪ Environmental scientist Jobs using technology ▪▪ Web developer ▪▪ Software architect Jobs using engineering ▪▪ Civil engineer ▪▪ Biomedical engineer Jobs using maths ▪▪ Statistician ▪▪ Quantity surveyor

Sourced from Careers New Zealand.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Loans and allowances: what can you get?

StudyLink is an essential resource for any student about to embark on their tertiary course for the first time.

I

f it’s anything to do with financial support while studying, StudyLink can help. Here are some of their services:

Student Allowance Student Allowance is a weekly payment to help with your living expenses while you study full-time. You don’t have to pay this back.

You may be able to get the Student Allowance if you are: ▪▪ at least 18 years old (some 16–17-yearolds can also get it) ▪▪ under 65 on the start date of your course (for study starting on or after 1 January 2017) ▪▪ studying full-time ▪▪ studying an approved course ▪▪ a New Zealand citizen or meet the residence requirements.

You can use the ‘What you can get’ tool on the StudyLink website to check your eligibility.

Depending on your circumstances, such as your age, your living situation, your income, your parents’ income

or whether you are considered to be independent from your parents, you can receive Student Allowance of up to $174.21 per week.

If you qualify for Student Allowance, you may also be able to get an Accommodation Benefit.

Go to the StudyLink Student Allowance online rate calculator to find out how much you may be able to get.

There are circumstances where your Student Allowance could be reduced or not paid at all. These include if you move overseas, leave your course, or exceed 200 weeks of Student Allowance for tertiary study. Check with StudyLink if your circumstances change. You can do this online using MyStudyLink. You don’t want to unintentionally rack up a debt!

study each year (see box for what this means), and you can generally only get a Student Loan for seven EFTS of study in your lifetime, so it pays to choose your course wisely.

Student Loan Student Loan is the money that pays for your course. It’s made up of three parts – course fees, course-related costs, and living costs. You must pay back a Student Loan.

You may be able to get a Student Loan if you: ▪▪ are studying an approved course which is: ▪▪ full-time; or ▪▪ part-time and 32 weeks or longer; or ▪▪ part-time and less than 32 weeks with an EFTS value of 0.25 or more.

▪▪ are a New Zealand citizen or meet the residence requirements ▪▪ sign a contract with the Government ▪▪ nominate a New Zealand-based contact person (someone who resides in New Zealand).

You can use the ‘What you can get’ tool on the StudyLink website to check your eligibility.

You can borrow up to two EFTS (equivalent full-time student) worth of

When is the best time to apply Many students wait for their NCEA results in January before they apply for their Student Loan or Student Allowance (or both). Don’t! StudyLink will set a date in December that you will need to have your applications in by if you want everything sorted ready for the start of your study.

You can always change your mind or withdraw your application if you don’t get into the course you want. Just be sure to get your application in as StudyLink needs time to process your application (along with the other 180,000 or so people applying for a loan or allowance at the same time).

32

Get Sussed for study ‘Sussed’ is StudyLink’s online reality check. It’s the perfect way to look at your financial options as a freshly-minted adult and plan your living budget.

For example, will it be broadband and baked beans? Dial-up and dining out? How much will you set aside for transport, groceries, and those unexpected expenses every week?

The results – how much money you may need to support yourself – could surprise you.

The application process You can apply for all your student financial support on StudyLink’s website www.StudyLink.govt.nz.

Getting your application in before the December deadline will eliminate the need to rush.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

7 steps to your student finances

1

Apply at www.StudyLink.govt.nz for your financial assistance Remember to get your application in before the December deadline!

2

StudyLink begins processing your application They will check the information you give them and get things underway. You don’t need to do anything at this point unless you hear from them.

3

StudyLink will contact you You’ll receive a letter telling you what we need next. Make sure you read, sign, and return it (if required) and send in any documents StudyLink asks for.

4

Use MyStudyLink to track your application You can check to see if your documents have been received, check your Student Allowance and Student Loan status, view and update your personal details, get your mail, and apply for your courserelated costs (once you’ve returned your contact).

5

StudyLink checks your details with your education provider You need to make sure you’re fully enrolled before this can happen.

6

StudyLink will finish processing your application StudyLink will send you a letter letting you know what you qualify for and when your payments will start.

7

Your payments can start The earliest your payments can start is in the second week of your course. This is because StudyLink makes payments in arrears.

5 awesome apps for students I wish I’d known about these life-saving student apps when I was in my first year of university. Don’t miss out on these gems – especially since they are all free to download and will help you get those As this semester.

I

’ve done quite an extensive search of the internet for my picks for five of the best study apps. I’ve tested out about 42 apps, but I do need to say that this list isn’t just my opinion: I’ve taken reviews into consideration, and I’ve tried to understand which apps students seem to love, and why.

All these apps are free to download!

this type of app. The reason I picked it out of all the many calendar apps that are out there is that I found it the easiest to use, and I also thought it was the most visually appealing. It’s very colourful and ‘in your face’. That’s important for me, because I want an agenda app that I can read instantly, just by going on colour coding.

Evernote Evernote is kind of like a digital binder, where you can keep notes for all your classes. It’s very helpful for students who usually type their notes during class. If you’re like me, your typed notes are likely to be scattered in random places on my laptop. What this app does is allow you to create tabs for every class.

You then can just click the tab, click ‘new note’, and start typing. You can also record them – if you’re allowed to obviously! You can attach pictures, Powerpoint slides, and other documents, anything that’s relevant.

Then when it comes time to study or sit your exams, you just have to click on a tab, and bang, all your notes for that class are displayed.

Khan Academy Maybe you’re struggling with a subject, whether it’s algebra, science, maths, or whatever. Or maybe you’re just bored with one of your classes! Khan Academy might be able to help you. The app is kind of like an online university: it’s a big collection of texts, videos, helpful articles, etc. that have been compiled by professionals, or professors. It’s literally like having a library in your pocket, with great info presented in a very studentfriendly way.

Student Agenda This app is pretty selfexplanatory. It’s an agenda/ calendar, and does everything you’d expect from

Maths Formulas Free I wish I had known about this app so much earlier! If you’re in trouble in maths, or you just have trouble putting maths info together, this app is genius: algebra, trigonometry – my weakness! – geometry, anything you want – you can just type in a formula, and make a list of everything you need to 33

know. If you don’t understand a formula, you can click on it and the software will give you examples and illustrations. This app is right up there for me, and for someone who hates maths (me!) to say how much they love this app should tell you something!

Forest If you’re a big procrastinator, and your biggest weakness is your phone, this app is going to be your best friend! Forest is a really cool game that lets you build your own forest based on how much time you spend concentrating on schoolwork, or any kind of work. It’s basically a timer game: when you start using the app, you get a seed, and you then start planting your trees. You can set the timer to 25 minutes for example, or whatever you like.

The app doesn’t go into sleep mode, so you don’t have to click your phone to check the time or whatever. But: if you try to click your phone to go onto Facebook or something, or you try to close the app, your tree will die! At the end of the time you’ve set aside for work, it’s really cool to see a full-on forest growing in the game.

You get points and badges, and you can share your progress.

Author: Ana Mascara has an active video channel for students of all ages and all fields of study.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

What does a New Zealand Apprenticeship involve?

An apprenticeship has lots of different pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle, but also lots of ‘ah ha’ moments.

Fast facts about New Zealand Apprenticeships

Industry training organisations (ITOs) are responsible for arranging training for apprentices through New Zealand Apprenticeships.

New Zealand Apprenticeships provide a vocational pathway and quality support for all apprentices.

The criteria for New Zealand Apprenticeships are: ▪▪ an apprentice must be employed in the occupation for which they are training ▪▪ throughout the apprenticeship, an apprentice must be supported by a training plan agreed by themselves, their employer, and the ITO arranging the training New Zealand Apprenticeships will result in a Level 4 New Zealand qualification, comprising a minimum of 120 credits (ensuring a strong theoretical component).

On completing New Zealand Apprenticeships, apprentices will be ‘work competent’ for the occupation in which they have been training, and their industries will determine the standard of competency to be met.

W

hile the idea of ‘serving an apprenticeship’ may seem vague because every experience and workplace is different – which can cause uncertainty about what to expect – the reality is that an apprenticeship is one of the most straightforward qualifications you can achieve.

With schools, universities and other similar tertiary institutions it’s often easy to anticipate how things will work – there’s classes and assignments and exams. But an apprenticeship – on-the-job training – is not a model familiar to most school leavers.

Primary ITO training advisor horticulture Jonathan Gradwell says the beauty of an apprenticeship is that you can start by knowing nothing – everything is new – and be confident that after three or four years you will be somebody who can take responsibility in the workplace.

Apprenticeships involve ‘classroom scenarios’ in the form of block courses, evening classes or day release classes, as well as on the job assessments. While in the past apprenticeships were based on hours served, the model has now shifted to one that is skills-based.

The support of family, wha-nau, employers, work colleagues, and a training advisor will be critical to successfully completing the course – don’t try to do it in isolation.

“From the beginning, you need to clarify the career path you’re going to take, set goals and develop a training plan,” says Jonathan. “Your training advisor and your employer can mentor you and help you navigate the ups and downs.

“A large part of the apprenticeship process is to be aware of your weaknesses and work to your strengths so that you know where to put in the effort and where you are going,” he says.

There are lots of different pieces, like a jigsaw puzzle, in an apprenticeship, but also lots of ‘ah ha’ moments when it all comes together.

Jonathan is based in Wellington and works with mostly service-based skillsets such as amenity horticulture (gardening), landscaping, arboriculture, nursery and sports turf apprenticeships.

“With every apprenticeship, the benefit is that you earn as you learn, and when you’re finished you’re not only qualified to lead other people and to do the job at a high level, you will also be sought after for your skills throughout New Zealand and most of the Western world,” he says.

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Changes to the apprenticeship programme

In January 2014 the Modern Apprenticeships programme and other apprenticeship training was replaced by the nationwide New Zealand Apprenticeships.

Modern Apprenticeships were designed for people between the ages of 16 and 21, but New Zealand Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16.

Under the Modern Apprenticeships scheme you could work towards a Level 3 national certificate, but under the New Zealand Apprenticeships programme you must work towards a minimum of a Level 4 national certificate.

Existing Modern Apprentices will continue to get the level of support and subsidy that they currently receive until the end of 2017, or until they finish their apprenticeships.

Source: Careers New Zealand

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

Bridging and foundation courses

ANTHONY MAUINATU

What are bridging and foundation courses?

Bridging and foundation courses are for you if: ▪▪ you don’t meet the minimum entry requirements for a tertiary course ▪▪ you are unsure of your ability to cope with tertiary study ▪▪ you haven’t studied for some time ▪▪ you want to see what tertiary study is like before you make a financial commitment.

Bridging and foundation courses are held in maths, English, science subjects and health sciences. They can help build up your skills and meet the minimum entry requirements for a degree course. Many training providers offer foundation courses in essay writing and study and time management skills, which can also give you a feel for a subject.

Some tertiary institutes have foundation year scholarships available, so find out if you are eligible.

Foundation courses are usually a full year of study and are an excellent way to develop good study habits before you start your degree course, even though they don’t count towards your degree.

Bridging courses are shorter and more intensive and designed for students who are about to begin a degree course but do not meet the knowledge requirements or who want to be better prepared for university study.

To find bridging or foundation courses for the study course you’re interested in, visit the website of the polytechnic or university you want to attend.

Preparatory courses Some tertiary institutes provide short introductory courses to help students prepare for academic study. Preparatory course subjects include English for speakers of other languages, law, chemistry and physics. Visit the website of the polytechnic or university you want to attend to find preparatory courses.

Preparatory courses do not count towards degrees or other qualifications but are sometimes available over summer, which is useful if you want to start a degree in the first semester.

Special admission and discretionary entrance to courses Special admission If you are over 20 years of age you may be eligible for special admission to polytechnic or university courses. Special admission means you are exempt from certain entry criteria.

You can find out if you are eligible by contacting the polytechnic or university you want to attend before applying. Evidence of other study or work skills is often required with your application.

Discretionary entrance If you don’t meet the entry criteria but are under 20 years of age, you may be eligible for discretionary entrance to polytechnic or university courses. However, you will need evidence of academic achievement. Contact the polytechnic or university you want to attend to find out their discretionary entrance criteria.

To gain discretionary entrance you are likely to need a letter of application and a recommendation from your school.

Additional entry requirements Some tertiary courses have additional entry requirements, especially where admission is competitive or restricted – for example, engineering and medicine. Visit the polytechnic or university’s website for more details.

Source: www.careers.govt.nz/courses/study-and-trainingoptions/bridging-and-foundation-courses

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life

Life

This is the bit in JETmag where we talk about everything else that’s important to you, and hopefully provide some useful tips and tricks to help you deal with life’s curveballs.

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n this edition, with help from some special guests, we look at dealing with mental illness, suicide, bullying and failure. We also have tips and tricks about cooking, flatting finances, getting your licence and time management, plus our always-popular Myers-Briggs personality test. Not to mention other new articles on insomnia, sexuality and phone addiction. There’s something for everyone!

DID YOU

KNOW? One standard drink of alcohol takes at least one hour to leave your body Get to know the facts about drugs and alcohol and always look out for your mates Check out the Did You Know? short video series at drugfoundation.org.nz

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life

STEPPING OUTSIDE YOUR

COMFORT ZONE For everyone this can be quite a difficult task.

I know that on a first-hand basis. Everyone has their own level of comfort and it is difficult for them to step outside of that level because that would mean doing something you aren’t comfortable with.

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s you grow up you slowly develop a comfort zone that consists of the things that you are happy and comfortable with doing and then there are the things that you say to yourself that you will never do.

I definitely have a few things on my outside of my comfort zone list that I never want to do but the thing with lists like this is that sometimes you just need to embrace them and step out of your safe and secure comfort zone.

Believe me when you finally step out of your comfort zone for the first time you will realise how exhilarating it is to be able to say that you did something you never thought you would do.

There is a different feeling of achievement when you complete something you thought you would never do to something you have worked on for ages. Obviously there is going to be a sense of achievement felt for both things but when you step out of your comfort zone and achieve something you are overwhelmed with the sense of achievement and adrenaline because it is something you thought you would never do.

These things can be anything they don’t have to be massive like bungy jumping or skydiving. It could be small things like talking to somebody new or joining a new club that you have always been interested in but have been scared to join. The small things that you have told yourself over and over that you can’t do usually end up bringing you so much happiness and

you wonder why you didn’t step out of your comfort zone earlier and do them.

The key to stepping out of your comfort zone is to start small. Start with the small things that you really want to do but are worried about stepping out of your comfort zone for and then once you have conquered these you can move onto the bigger things that seem impossible at the beginning but once completing some of the small things don’t seem as daunting anymore.

Although I have said that everyone should step out of their comfort zone, it isn’t for everyone. I recommend trying it and again starting with something small but sometimes your comfort zone is a good thing. If there are some things that you are being pressured into or all of your friends are doing it and you know that you wouldn’t be comfortable doing it, know that you don’t have to do it. You don’t have to do those things to be seen as being ‘cool’ or like you are invincible.

If you are honestly uncomfortable with something embrace that and embrace that you know your boundaries and are comfortable in yourself.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone is a 37

good thing but it does come with boundaries. Make sure you are stepping outside of your comfort zone for the right reasons and the reasons that make you happy not everybody else.

Author: Nicole Ashby is a senior student at Ellesmere College in Leeston.

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What is your personality type?

1: At a party do you A: Interact with many, including strangers B: Interact with a few, known to you 2: Are you more A: Realistic than speculative B: Speculative than realistic 3: Is it worse to A: Have your “head in the clouds” B: Be “in a rut” 4: Are you more impressed by A: Principles B: Emotions 5: Are you more drawn towards the A: Convincing B: Touching 6: Do you prefer to work A: To deadlines B: Just “whenever” 7: Do you tend to choose A: Rather carefully B: Somewhat impulsively 8: At parties do you A: Stay late, with increasing energy B: Leave early, with decreased energy 9: Are you more attracted to A: Sensible people B: Imaginative people

15: In your social groups, do you A: Keep abreast of others’ happenings B: Get behind on the news 16: In doing ordinary things, are you more likely to A: Do it the usual way B: Do it your own way 17: Writers should A: “Say what they mean and mean what they say” B: Express things more by use of analogy 18: Which appeals to you more A: Consistency of thought B: Harmonious human relationships 19: Are you more comfortable in making A: Logical judgments B: Value judgments 20: Do you want things A: Settled and decided B: Unsettled and undecided 21: Would you say you are more A: Serious and determined B: Easy-going 22: In phoning, do you A: Rarely question that it will all be said B: Rehearse what you’ll say

10: Are you more interested in A: What is actual B: What is possible 11: In judging others, are you more swayed by A: Laws than circumstances B: Circumstances than laws 12: In approaching others, is your inclination to be A: Objective B: Personal 13: Are you more A: Punctual B: Leisurely 14: Does it bother you more having things A: Incomplete B: Completed

23: Facts A: Speak for themselves B: Illustrate principles 24: Are visionaries A: Somewhat annoying B: Rather fascinating 25: Are you more often A: A cool-headed person B: A warm-hearted person 26: Is it worse to be A: Unjust B: Merciless

29: In company do you A: Initiate conversation B: Wait to be approached 30: Common sense is A: Rarely questionable B: Frequently questionable 31: Children often do not A: Make themselves useful enough B: Exercise their fantasy enough 32: In making decisions, Do you feel more comfortable with A: Standards B: Feelings 33: Are you more A: Firm than gentle B: Gentle than firm 34: Which is more admirable A: The ability to organise and be methodical B: The ability to adapt and make do 35: Do you put more value on A: Infinite B: Open-minded 36: Does new and non-routine interaction with others A: Stimulate and energise you B: Tax your reserves 37: Are you more frequently A: A practical sort of person B: A fanciful sort of person 38: Are you more likely to A: See how others are useful B: See how others see 39: Which is more satisfying A: To discuss an issue thoroughly B: To arrive at agreement on an issue 40: Which rules you more A: Your head B: Your heart 41: Are you more comfortable with work that is

27: Should one usually let events occur A: By careful selection and choice B: Randomly and by chance 28: Do you feel better about A: Having purchased B: Having the option to buy 38

A: Contracted B: Done on a casual basis 42: Do you tend to look for A: The orderly B: Whatever turns up

life 43: Do you prefer

52: Do you feel

A: Many friends with brief contact B: A few friends with more lengthy contact

61: Do you see yourself as basically

A: More practical than ingenious B: More ingenious than practical 53: Which person is more to be complimented – one of

44: Do you go more by A: Facts B: Principles

A: Clear reason B: Strong feeling

45: Are you more interested in

54: Are you inclined more to be

A: Production and distribution B: Design and research

A: Fair-minded B: Sympathetic

46: Which is more of a compliment

55: Is it preferable mostly to A: Make sure things are arranged B: Just let things happen

A: “There is a very logical person.”

B: “There is a very sentimental person.”

A: Hasten to get to it first B: Hope someone else will answer

A: Final and unalterable statement B: Tentative and preliminary statement A: After a decision B: Before a decision

68: Which is the greater fault

A: Fundamentals B: Overtones

A: Being indiscriminate B: Being critical

60: Which seems the greater error

51: Are you more likely to trust your

69: Do you prefer A A: Planned event B: Unplanned event

A: To be too passionate B: To be too objective

A: Experience B: Hunch

66: Is it harder for you to

A: Clarity of reason B: Strength of compassion

59: Are you drawn more to

A: Speak easily and at length with strangers B: Find little to say to strangers

A: The more literal B: The more figurative

67: Which do you wish more for yourself

A: A strong sense of reality B: A vivid imagination

50: Do you

A: Routinised than whimsical B: Whimsical than routinised

A: Identify with others B: Utilise others

58: Do you prize more in yourself

49: Are you more comfortable

63: Are you a person that is more

65: In writing, do you prefer

57: When the phone rings, do you

48: Do you more often prefer the

A: The structured and scheduled B: The unstructured and unscheduled

A: Easy to approach B: Somewhat reserved

A: Re-negotiable B: Random and circumstantial

A: Unwavering B: Devoted

62: Which situation appeals to you more

64: Are you more inclined to be

56: In relationships, should most things be

47: Do you value in yourself more that you are

A: Hard-headed B: Soft-hearted

70: Do you tend to be more A: Deliberate than spontaneous B: Spontaneous than deliberate

Col 1

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Copy to

Copy to

E

I

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N

B

Count the number of checks in each of the A and B columns, and total at the bottom.

Copy the totals for Column 2 to the spaces below the totals for Column 3.

Do the same for Columns 4 and 6.

Add totals downwards to calculate your totals.

Circle the letters with this highest score. This is your type.

Copy to

T

F

J

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Copy your answers to this answer key carefully

P

See over for your personality type.

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Match your personality type

to a career

ISTJ – The duty fulfillers: Business executives, administrators and managers, accountants and financial officers, police and detectives, judges, lawyers, medical doctors, dentists, computer programmers or systems analysts, military officers, income tax officers, audit officers, information officers, human resource managers, biologists, pharmacists, real estate agents.

ESTJ – The guardians: Military leaders, business administrators and managers, police/detective work, judges, financial officers, teachers, sales representatives, accounts officers, audit officers, project managers, public administrators, information officers, electrical engineering, database administrators.

ISFJ – The nurturers: Interior decorators, designers, nurses, administrators and managers, child care/early childhood development, social work/counsellors, paralegals, clergy/religious workers, shopkeepers, bookkeepers, secretarial groups, librarians, curators, physical therapists, artists, real estate agents, musicians, teachers, computer operators.

ESFJ – The caregivers: Nursing, teaching, administrators, child care, family practice physicians, clergy or other religious work, office managers, counsellors/social work, bookkeeping/ accounting, public relations officers, public administration, commerce officers, business administrators, home economics, insurance agents and sales representatives.

ISTP – The mechanics: Police and detective work, forensic pathologists, computer programmers, systems analysts, engineers, carpenters, mechanics, pilots, drivers, motorcyclists, athletes, entrepreneurs, pilots, fire fighters, circus artists, race car drivers, radiologists, private detectives.

ESTP – The doers: Sales representatives, marketing personnel, police/detective work, paramedic/emergency medical technicians, PC technicians or network cablers, computer technical support, entrepreneurs, athletes, politicians, diplomats, fire fighters, pilots, news reporters, insurance agents, public administrators, aircraft engineers, budget analysts.

ESFP – The performers: Artists, performers and actors, sales representatives, counsellors/social work, child care, fashion designers, interior decorators, consultants, photographers, musicians, public relations officers, stockbrokers, real estate agents.

ISFP – The artists: Artists, musicians/composers, designers, child care/early childhood development, social workers/counsellors, teachers, psychologists, veterinarians, forest rangers, paediatricians, fashion designers, psychologists, physical therapists, radiologists, surveyors, consultants, teachers, supervisors.

ENTJ – The executives: Corporate executive officers, organisation builders, entrepreneurs, computer consultants, lawyers, judges, business administrators/managers, university professors, administrators, bankers, program designers, sales managers, chemical engineers, business team trainers, business consultants, financial advisers, media planners.

INTJ – The scientists: Scientists, engineers, professors and teachers, medical doctors, dentists, corporate strategists and organisation builders, business administrators/ managers, lawyers/attorneys, judges, computer programmers or systems analysts, inventors, military officers, economists, environmental planners, function planners, new business developers, psychologists, neurologists, writers, news editors, financial planners.

ENTP – The visionaries: Lawyers, psychologists, entrepreneurs, photographers, consultants, engineers, scientists, actors, sales representatives, marketing personnel, computer programmers or systems analysts, foreign services, judiciary, computer experts, journalists, real estate agents, technical trainers, directors, advertisers.

INTP – The thinkers: Scientists (especially physics, chemistry), photographers, strategic planners, mathematicians, university professors, computer programmers or systems analysts, technical writers, engineers, lawyers/attorneys, judges, forensic research, forestry and park rangers, astrologists, genealogists, neurologists, strategic planners, writers, architects, software designers, artists, database administrators.

ENFJ – The givers: Facilitators, consultants, psychologists, social workers/counsellors, teachers, clergy, sales representatives, human resources, managers, events coordinators, politicians, diplomats, writers, comedians, artists, journalists, librarians, program designers, translators, small business executives, sales managers.

INFJ – The protectors: Clergy/religious work, teachers, medical doctors, dentists, alternative health care practitioners (e.g. chiropractor, reflexologist), psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors and social workers, musicians and artists, photographers, child care/early childhood development, scientists, playwrights, poets, novelists, editors, actors, entertainers, education consultants, librarians, human resource developers, lawyers, job analysts, translators.

ENFP – The inspirers: Consultants, psychologists, entrepreneurs, actors, teachers, counsellors, politicians, diplomats, writers, journalists, television reporters, computer programmers/systems analysts, scientists, engineers, artists, engineers, religious leaders, musicians, human resource managers, editors.

INFP – The idealists: Writers, counsellors/social workers, teachers/professors, psychologists, psychiatrists, musicians, clergy/religious workers, writers, human resource managers, poets, novelists, journalists, editors, art directors.

Now you’re armed with your Myers-Briggs personality type and this list of interesting areas to study or work in, you’ll find six sector overviews (each linked to the government’s Vocational Pathways) in this issue of JETmag. The sectors are: Creative; Manufacturing & Technology; Social & Community Services; Construction & Infrastructure; Primary; and Services. These overviews will help you better understand what it’s like to work, study, or train in these sectors.

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Your voice, your choice Our next general election is on 23 September 2017 – and if you turn 18 by then, you can vote in it.

One reason voting is so important is that we didn’t always have this right.

For a good chunk of our history you had to own property (or have a certain job) to vote – and you had to be a man. It wasn’t until 1893, after a long struggle, that women won the right to vote – and it wasn’t until 1919 that women were able to stand for Parliament. Even then you had to be at least 21 to vote. The voting age wasn’t lowered to 20 until 1969, and only fell to 18 in 1974.

Now we have this right, we’re responsible for using it! Your vote directly influences how the country is run, by helping choose the people and parties who will be in Parliament.

The people we elect as Members of Parliament work to make New Zealand’s laws, and speak up for what they think people need and want.

Everyone has something worth voting for, no matter who you are or where you’re from. We’re all part of families and communities, we use healthcare, education and roading, and we spend recreational time at New Zealand’s beaches, rivers, sports fields and parks.

Decisions about all of these things – how they’re funded, how they work,

E In it for the future very three years New Zealanders vote on who we want to represent us in Parliament. It’s one of the ways you can have your say on the issues affecting your community.

Call 0800 36 76 56

Visit elections.org.nz

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how people access them – are made by the people you vote for.

Today we vote using the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system.

At a general election this means you get two votes – one for the party you want, and one for the candidate you’d like to represent you. The ‘proportional’ bit means that the number of seats a party gets in Parliament will reflect its proportion of the party vote – if a party gets 25% of the votes, it should get around 25% of the seats. After an election, the party that has won the most seats in Parliament usually forms a government. Sometimes this party will have a majority (more than half) of all the seats. They may form a government alone, but usually they’ll join with one or more smaller parties to gain the majority.

Your vote matters – and people fought for your right to have it. This year, why not make sure your voice is heard?

Voting is open to most people over 18 who live in New Zealand (with a few restrictions) – but first you need to enrol.

You can find out more about enrolling to vote at the Electoral Commission website: www.elections.org.nz.

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10 for the frugal foodie flat tips

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o seasonal. Seasonal produce is usually cheap and readily available.

Imported fruit and veg will always be more expensive.

Watch your meat portions. Meat is relatively expensive, particularly cuts like steak. Fill out meals with lots of vegetables and grains.

Grow a micro herb garden. Once you get some herbs and salad greens growing in your flat, you’ve got instant fresh salads at your fingertips.

Plan ahead. Whether you’re in a student flat or cooking just for yourself, work out what ingredients you’ll need for the weekly supermarket shop.

Think about getting the most out of ingredients in a week to eliminate waste and keep costs down. For example, if you’re planning on making a curry that requires lemongrass, ginger and garlic – consider other recipes that might use the same ingredients, such as a marinade for chicken.

Buy in bulk when specials are on and freeze or store. Shop around for the cheap deals at all the supermarkets and look for local businesses that give student discounts

Make leftovers for lunch. Why spend money at the student caf when you can make your own with last night’s leftovers.

By adding some fresh salad essentials (try shredded cabbage, grated carrot and beetroot) to whatever you’ve got left over (roast pumpkin, chicken, quinoa etc.) with a handful of seeds or nuts and a splash of citrus dressing to revive, you’ve got yourself a cheap, nutritious and delicious lunch.

Magic mince. If you like your red meat, but lamb or sirloin is proving hard to afford, mince is a great alternative.

Cooked with an onion, a can of tinned tomatoes and a can of chilli beans, you’ve got yourself a mean chilli con carne. Eat with brown rice, corn chips or wraps and a good dollop of guacamole or plain yoghurt. Spaghetti bolognese, lasagna, homemade burgers – the list goes on.

Be clear on the how your flat kitchen works. Sharing food can save big bucks, but be clear on what food you all want to share – everything?

Just dinners? How will you divide the cooking (and the dishes afterwards!)?

Budget. How much money do you think is reasonable to set aside for a food kitty each week? Do you buy together at the start of the week, or only buy the ingredients for meals you cook? How could you share the shopping? Does one person do the shopping or do you take it in turns or all together?

Keep it varied and fun! Consider having a theme each week (e.g. Indian, Thai, Italian etc.) or have a go at trying a new recipe once a week.

A healthy meal should include: ▪▪ Something starchy: pasta, rice, couscous, potatoes, kumara or grainy bread.

▪▪ Some protein: eggs, fish, lean meat, tofu and pulses such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas and baked beans.

▪▪ Lots of vegetables: fresh or frozen are both good.

▪▪ Some fat: good oils include canola, olive and rice bran oils.

Blogs to keep Thinking about becoming a blogger?

Or maybe a vlogger? You might want to keep up with some of these student-run blogs – they might even inspire you!

Simply Aubree Ramblings of a country girl simplyaubree.edublogs.org Aubree won Best Student Blog two years in a row and it’s not hard to see why. Her posts are thoughtful and consist of extended metaphors and poetry and easy DIY tips. If you love to read, you love blogs, and you love life, check it out.

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Taking a gap year before

tertiary study A year off, or gap year, after secondary school is becoming more common in New Zealand.

There are many reasons for taking a gap year.

After 10 years in school you may want a break from study. Or maybe you want to save some money to help cover your tertiary fees and avoid a student loan.

There are several advantages to having a working year or a gap year. You can: ▪▪ experience the world of work ▪▪ become more mature, independent and experienced ▪▪ clarify your study and career path, and make new or more informed decisions ▪▪ meet and work with people from different cultures and professions ▪▪ experience different types of workplaces ▪▪ gain new skills.

What are the disadvantages of doing a gap year? You may:

What sorts of thing can you do in your gap year?

▪▪ be a year behind your friends and former classmates who have gone on to tertiary study ▪▪ find it hard to pick up certain subjects again, or get back into the study habit ▪▪ be tempted by a good work offer when it may be in your best interests to study instead ▪▪ not earn as much money as you hoped you might.

A gap year, or year off from study, might be spent in your home town, perhaps working full-time in a job that was previously a parttime job. Or it might involve going to live with friends or relatives in another town or city where there are more opportunities for full-time work. These jobs are often practical or labouring positions that may not relate to future study.

up with Joe Sugg Brother of Zoella, Joe is known for his YouTube channels ThatcherJoe, ThatcherJoeVlogs and ThatcherJoeGames.

Though his content doesn’t slot into a clear category, this is a brilliant example of how to build an online following. With prank cameos from his famous sister and other famous YouTube friends, Joe has racked up almost six million subscribers.

A gap year can also involve working or travelling overseas. This could include: ▪▪ working at summer camps in the US ▪▪ spending a year overseas as a high school exchange student ▪▪ being involved in volunteer projects ▪▪ participating in sporting or other cultural exchanges ▪▪ working overseas as an au pair or nanny ▪▪ teaching English overseas.

Where can I find out more about my gap year options?

There are many different places you can go and things you can do in your gap year.

Visit goo.gl/F6uJR4 for more information.

This article was reproduced with the permission of Careers New Zealand.

Mateo’s Blog Minecraft Enthusiast teosblog.edublogs.org If you love random knowledge, you’ll absolutely love this blog. Mateo shares his particular views on things such as recycling, endangered animals, authors you should be reading, and completely random facts, how-tos and videos.

Zoella

Lean, Clean & Brie

Zoella.co.uk

leancleanandbrie.com

Zoella’s best videos are definitely her creative hacks (e.g. at Christmas she did creative DIY present wrapping).

She definitely has content for everyone – boys, girls, nanas, grandads – you name it, she has it.

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This is probably one of the best health blogs out there. It includes recipes, workouts, Brie’s personal updates, and how to juggle health and balance with student life. If you are looking to take care of yourself a little more this year, this one’s for you.

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Your sexuality belongs to you take charge and get informed!

Rose Stewart is nursing advisor for Family Planning New Zealand, an organisation she’s been with for 30 years. She talks to JETmag about taking charge, staying safe and getting informed.

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nyone of any age can come to Family Planning. Some schools in Auckland and Christchurch have clinics on site for a few hours each week. For many other young people, their local Family Planning clinic is where they’ll likely go for advice about staying safe – and most likely their first prescription for contraception and condoms.

And Rose says the organisation is working really hard to make services easier for young people to get to – most clinics have drop-in times where no appointment is needed and sometimes it might be possible to have your appointment over the phone so you don’t even need to leave home to talk with Rose or one of her colleagues.

You can’t shock these guys!

One of the messages Rose would like to get out to young people is: “Don’t worry, we’ve heard it all before! You don’t need to be worried about sharing whatever’s on your mind.

“Our nurses undergo really comprehensive training in sexual and reproductive health, and that means they’re good at talking to people. Staff are also trained in adolescent issues, so they can understand what young people are going through.”

Of particular importance, says Rose, is that staff are trained to know the rights of young people and their parents inside out. Everybody has the right to

confidentiality, she says, and that includes people who still live with their parents.

The only time that Family Planning would consider involving parents without the consent of a young person would be if they thought there was danger to the client, or the client was a danger to others. Rose says that scenario is very, very rare. Even if something like that were to occur, Family Planning would try to encourage the young person to talk to their parents first, says Rose.

A great go-between And yes, Rose and her staff are well aware that sexual health is something that some people find tough to talk about. Rest assured, she says, nothing you can say in a Family Planning consultation will get them blushing – they’ve heard everything under the sun!

Rose says that some young people find it easier to visit as a group, which is fine.

Generally, says Rose, if young people have a concern about sexual health, they’re quite happy to talk to someone who isn’t their parents or teacher!

Understandable really, particularly when sexuality is a reasonably new thing in one’s life.

The main things that young people who are just discovering sexuality tend to be curious or anxious about are STIs and pregnancy, says Rose, and how to guard against both. There are a lot of urban myths out there that people might have heard, but the Family Planning experts are there to dispel the half-truths and socalled ‘Chinese’ whispers.

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We’re all normal There’s one word that Rose keeps coming back to: normal.

“It’s very normal, of course, to become sexual during the teenage years. That’s just life, and people at that time in their lives are trying to work out who they are, and what life’s all about.

A big part of our job is just reassuring people that what they’re experiencing is normal. It’s easy for adults to see that, but less so when it’s all a bit new.

“What we’re saying to teenagers is that it’s ok to take charge of themselves and their sexual health, and that they should be thinking about making active decisions. Otherwise life has a habit of making decisions for us!”

Nothing new under the sun (except some things) What might surprise lots of readers is that Rose says that, over the course of her 30 years at Family Planning, not much has changed. STIs like gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia have been around forever, and so have people’s anxieties about STIs and pregnancy.

Sexual behaviour hasn’t changed much in that time either, which is probably something the average young person doesn’t want to think about too much!

One thing that’s different is vaccination for human papillomavirus, or HPV. The virus itself isn’t new, but we now

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know that HPV plays a role in a number of cancers. Up till very recently, only girls could receive the inoculation for HPV, but now boys can protect themselves as well.

And of course, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have heard the media furore about the impact of pornography on young people. If you believe everything you read, it would seem that young people can’t tell the difference between what they see on a screen and what they expect sex to be like in real life. Everybody needs to relax a bit, says Rose: it turns out young people are smarter than the media give them credit for.

Give me some credit!

Take charge and stay informed

“Overall I think kids are quite smart, you know? They can tell the difference between reality and fantasy. I don’t buy into the idea that pornography is warping the behaviour and expectations of young people. I think social media encourages people to show off, and of course that showing off is now much more visible than if somebody was just saying something inappropriate at lunchtime.

“We recently had an incident that was all over the news, where some young men got into trouble for saying some very inappropriate things about having sex with an unconscious girl. They may well have been showing off, but on the other hand, they might have attitudes that we need to talk to them about: that means families, and services like ours if appropriate.”

When Rose is asked, “If you were only allowed 30 seconds to talk to young people about sex and sexual health, what would you say?” her answer is unequivocal.

“The message is, ‘Take charge of yourself. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do, and listen to yourself. Try not to be too much of a follower, if that goes against what you’re happy doing, and just keep yourself safe!

“The other thing I would say is, and I know this is tough, but try to remember that your parents love you, and that’s what drives them to be anxious about the things that you do. They are your main supporters, and maybe cut them some slack! They’re not really trying to ruin your life; in fact, they’re trying to do the exact opposite!”

Time management tips It’s no secret you probably won’t be assigned a personal assistant while working or studying. Here are some tips on how to juggle several things at once.

▪▪ Don’t take on too much.

This way you’ll be able to spend more time on things you care about more/that are more important. It’s ok to say no sometimes!

▪▪ Keep a to-do list.

This way you ALWAYS know what you need to do. It’s relieving to check tasks off as you complete them.

▪▪ Set personal goals.

A great way to remind you exactly why you’re doing what you’re doing.

▪▪ Prioritise.

This can be marked on your todo list, it helps you know where to start.

▪▪ Minimise distractions.

God only knows the hours we lose to distractions like Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram a day. Sometimes it’s good to separate yourself from these things in order to get stuff done, even for a few hours!

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▪▪ Don’t procrastinate.

You can’t be bothered doing something? Completion will be worth it. Reward yourself after a boring or hard task.

▪▪ Forget multi-tasking.

It’s a myth. You will not get things done more efficiently!

Pick one thing to work on at a time and stick to it, then move on.

▪▪ Take breaks.

A refreshed mind works much better! Leave the room you’re working in and have a short little break. This will help you to stay focused when you are ready to work again.

▪▪ Effectively plan your day ahead.

Think what you need to get done tomorrow, and prepare yourself for the next day.

▪▪ Have a good night’s sleep.

Running on no sleep makes everything harder, tasks seem more difficult, and a LOT more boring.

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The warrior within JESSICA PATERSON has created a Facebook community called Silent Warriors for young people going through invisible mental or physical battles. Here she shares her backstory in the hope that it can help others.

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ere at Silent Warriors we all share one thing, which is that we are all searching for support and acceptance. We do fun things together like the Rotorua Marathon – and soon the Loaded Tough Guy and Gal Challenge – spreading the word along the way that NOBODY is a sad story! There is love and support to all those in need, if they are willing to reach out. No-one should have to suffer in silence.

Back in 2014 I was a shy teenager who was placing academically above average, had good friends and excelled in equestrian sports. I was nothing out of the ordinary. But this same year it was all stolen from me; this was the year I fell sick and became a prisoner to my illness, my bed and later my mind.

I was diagnosed with ME – myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome). The diagnosis was harsh; many believed it wasn’t even a real illness, but let me tell you, it was very real to me. Extreme fatigue, bodily pains that went beyond a 10 on the scale, nausea and fainting became my everyday reality. In fact, everything outside the sheets of my own bed became so completely foreign that I started to forget how it felt to be a functional human being. Blood tests, pills, sleep, and more pills became the routine of my days. While friends left and grades dropped, the world continued to move on. But in my room, alone for days at a time, I stood still.

It was around this point when, for the first time in my life, I had my first batch of real darkness served to me. I mean, sure, I had felt sad before but not like this. It was heavy, suffocating and, maybe in a sick way, slightly alluring. I mean, after everything I had to deal with day to day, I was hardly afraid of the dark.

Because of this I didn’t even try to fight the depression or the “dark days” in the early stages.

Half asleep after yet another tearful night, I sat in health class listening to a story about a girl. As my teacher talked, I started to realise that the story was sounding all too familiar. The girl said she was worried about some of the thoughts she was having and that she was going to see her doctor. My identification with the story gave me the courage to go and see my own doctor. The next day I was on antidepressants and saw a counsellor in the following week – now that made me feel crazy! Denial began to swallow me

all my remaining energy was spent battling my irrational thoughts. My brain was telling me I couldn’t be saved and everyone would be better off without me. However, a small whisper was telling me to hold on for a little bit longer. That moment taught me that hope is a very powerful thing.

At counselling the following week I went in expecting to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed, but to my surprise it was the complete opposite! My counsellor was AMAZING! After about three visits the light was visible at the end of a very dark tunnel. I learnt about toxic environments and people; I learnt how to manage with dark thoughts and cope with stress; I learnt how my illness and now mental illness does not define me; I learnt that there isn’t just one road in life to the top of the mountain and everything you go through is going to make you a better person.

Two years ago I may have had everything in the palm of my hand but I didn’t know how to be open-minded, caring, non-judgemental and compassionate to all those around me. Two years ago I may have been ‘normal’, but today I am something so much better! I’m so much stronger and my future has never been brighter. On the page my story is brief; however, this is no simple beginning, middle and end – there have been many more ups and downs and bumps along the way.

But I don’t believe that the darkness and the illness defines me and I will never let it. Yes, it is a small fraction of my being that I will forever carry around with me and I will always hate that it is there. But in other ways it has made me stronger. If you too are feeling the darkness, become a Silent Warrior and we can fight this together.

… a small whisper was telling me to hold on for a little bit longer. That moment taught me that hope is a very powerful thing. and before I knew it I was having panic attacks outside my classes for reasons I am simply unable to verbalise.

I ripped open a whole packet of what I thought would be an escape, desperately wanting it all to be over. Luckily, help wasn’t far away. I rang my mum – my lifesaver, my rock, my guardian angel.

Like many other mothers out there, she is the ultimate support; she came running.

I don’t know what I would have done without my rock. While many people may not believe they have that type of support, if they reach out, someone will be there for them. They just have to reach out.

In those dark moments my body was screaming that it couldn’t go on and

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life

Why we’re all addicted to our phones Forget cocaine and alcohol, we are hooked on our phones and it’s bad news, says an expert in marketing.

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dam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible says we spend around three hours a day of swiping and scrolling on our phones.

“I think they do a lot of things for us simultaneously in one device – they are a vehicle to so many different very addictive experiences.”

Adam, a marketing professor at New York University, says those experiences provide us with mixed feedback, something that humans find irresistible.

“You never know when you are going to get your next message and you don’t know which Instagram photo will attract a lot of likes or very few. It’s a portal to a very addictive world.”

Adam says humans crave positive attention from other humans and surprisingly we like it most when we receive both positive and negative feedback.

“What we look for is a little bit of uncertainty because when we do get that flush of positivity – just as a gambler does when they sit in front of a slot machine – it’s very hard to resist.”

And he says social media businesses are well aware of what they are doing and hire behavioural experts to tweak things to make them as addictive as possible. The classic example of this is the Facebook ‘like’ button.

“It was only introduced several years into Facebook’s life … and it made Facebook much harder to give up.”

But, says Adam, all this online interaction comes at a cost; the biggest concern is for kids who are using the technology at a time when they should be developing real-life communication skills.

So what can we do about it? Put the phone away, he says.

“Remove temptation. That could mean that between the hours of 5pm and 8pm you will make sure the phone is in your drawer.”

From The New Zealand Herald,

by Tamsyn Parker (abridged).

Financial advice for flatters

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he Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment’s Flatting 101 website (https://goo.gl/7mty4u) gives an idea of typical rents in different areas. Before you move in it’s usual to pay a bond of up to four weeks’ rent as well as two weeks’ rent in advance.

For phone, internet and, sometimes, water payments (and supermarket shopping if your flatmates don’t insist on their own food), a good idea is to have a ‘kitty’ – a special fund to which everyone contributes the same amount. A bank account for the kitty can be set up, from

Time to fly the coop! With a little planning, flatting finances don’t have to be a big deal.

Your biggest cost will be rent, paid weekly or fortnightly.

which automatic payments are made.

Any number of things can be paid for from the kitty, from party supplies to the purchase or hireage of appliances (a landlord is only required to supply an oven). The tricky bit is who gets what when the flat disbands, so common sense must prevail. Read the meters regularly so you’re not hit with a big bill for which you haven’t budgeted.

An unpaid bill can affect your credit history. Whatever way you choose to pay for things, it’s a good idea to keep written records of kitty payments and bills. You may be tempted not to have insurance, but consider if your landlord’s 49

property is damaged. If you caused a fire you could be charged for the repair. You may want to be covered for personal liability.

If you’re struggling financially, call Family Budgeting Services on 0508 BUDGET for free advice.

If your problem is with your landlord, call the Department of Building and Housing’s helpline 0800 83 62 62 for advice, or 0800 737 666 for bond information.

Money planner: www.sorted.org.nz/ calculators/money-planner

life

Youth Guarantee & Vocational Pathways

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ge 53 Co nst Inf ruct ras i tru on a ctu nd re

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Level 3

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ing tur ogy l fac nu hno Ma ec dT an 65 ge

Level 2

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Here in JETmag, we have our sector overviews arranged under these six headings. Each overview has several profiles of young professionals and

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NCEA Level 1

WHAT ARE THE VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS? Ok, anyone under 20 can dive back in … the Vocational Pathways are a way of looking at career options and support available for jobs. These are clumped in six broad sectors (the sixth, creative is still under consideration by the Ministry of Education, but we’ve included it in here because we like poets, dancers, and other artistic types), The pathways represent new ways to structure and achieve NCEA Level 2 and provide a more understandable framework for vocational education and training. They aim to help you develop your own individual education plan, so you can be better informed and can make better choices to meet your career goals.

The Vocational Pathways (including the possible sixth pathway) are: ▪▪ Primary Industries ▪▪ Services Industries ▪▪ Social and Community Services ▪▪ Manufacturing and Technology ▪▪ Construction and Infrastructure ▪▪ Creative Industries.

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ry ma s Pri strie u Ind

A range of Youth Guarantee initiatives such as secondary-tertiary programmes (including trades academies), service academies, and fees-free places provide students with new opportunities to engage in higher education and vocational training for free.

We cover these pathways on:

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tudents, tune out while your parents take over for this bit … the Youth Guarantee is the Government’s promise to provide young people with more choices, ways and places to achieve NCEA Level 2 or equivalent.

Achieving NCEA Level 2 allows young people the option to take on further education or get a good foothold in the workforce. This is where the Vocational Pathways can help, by offering access to a wider range of learning opportunities to achieve qualifications at Levels 1–3 on the National Qualifications Framework, with a focus on achieving NCEA level 2.

There are a range of Youth Guarantee Networks around the country that consist of education providers, employers and community interests.

Using the Vocational Pathways, the networks are developing Page 59 learning opportunities across the networks to ensure students have: Creative ▪▪ more relevant learning contexts ▪▪ more choice about what and where to learn Industries ▪▪ more applied learning opportunities ▪▪ more relevant learning programmes.

Social and Community Services professionalsin-training doing awesome things.

Their jobs range from the straightforward (like a doctor or teacher) through to funky specialist fields (like a fashion designer or audio engineer).

VOCATIONAL PROFILE Everyone in senior school should have received their vocational profile (on www.nzqa.govt.nz). If you didn’t, ask your careers advisor or year dean.

Your vocational profile shows your achievement against the five current Vocational Pathways. This should give you a sense of the progress you are making to achieve NCEA Level 2 or equivalent.

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Achieving a Vocational Pathway on your profile means you are developing the skills and knowledge in areas that employers value. Employers will be able to see your strengths, abilities, interests and achievements using the Vocational Pathways.

Your Vocational Profile can show how your achievement relates to the learning or skills training employers are seeking.

If you’re an especially creative type, you’ll have to wait until that pathway is developed before you can measure your progress in related NCEA subjects.

life

Getting your licence There are three stages to getting a car licence. At each stage you earn a new licence with fewer restrictions and more responsibilities.

Stage 1: learner licence

Stage 2: restricted licence

Stage 3: full licence

You must be at least 16 years old before you can apply for your learner licence.

You have to pass a road rules theory test to get this licence.

While on a learner licence: ▪▪ you must only drive with a supervisor sitting beside you at all times. Your supervisor must hold a current, full New Zealand car licence. They must have held their full New Zealand licence (or an equivalent overseas licence) for at least two years ▪▪ your car must display learner (L) plates front and rear ▪▪ you may carry passengers but your supervisor has to agree to this ▪▪ you face severe penalties if you drive outside the licence conditions.

To apply for your restricted licence: ▪▪ you must be at least 16½ years old ▪▪ you must have held your learner licence for at least six months.

You can apply for this licence after six months on your learner licence. To progress to this step, you’ll have to pass a practical test of your driving skills.

While on a restricted licence: ▪▪ you can drive on your own, but not between 10pm and 5am ▪▪ generally, you cannot carry passengers without the supervision of a licensed car driver. Your supervisor must hold a current full New Zealand car. They must have held their full New Zealand licence (or an equivalent overseas licence) for at least two years.

You must be at least 18 years of age before you can apply for your full licence.

If you have completed an approved advanced driving skills course, this is reduced to 17½. If you are under 25 years of age, you can apply after you’ve held your restricted licence for: ▪▪ at least 18 months; or ▪▪ at least 12 months if you have completed an approved advanced driving skill course.

You must pass a practical test by demonstrating safe driving across many traffic situations and road conditions.

Don’t be afraid to tweet or Facebook jetmag.co.nz photos of you and your licence on the special day! We’d love to hear how your tests went, or… didn’t!

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life

SUICIDE: ARE WE

TAKING IT SERIOUSLY?

In this day and age we are very lucky in the terms of help towards mental health, there has been a major rise in awareness towards it and has been treated as an actual sickness.

However, the doctors and counsellors take it seriously, but does the rest of the world?

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n this day and age we are very lucky in the terms of help towards mental health, there has been a major rise in awareness towards it and has been treated as an actual sickness. However, the doctors and counsellors take it seriously, but does the rest of the world?

It has come to my awareness that a new ‘trend’ has been going around where it is deemed ‘cool’ to say “I wanna kill myself”. This leads to extreme worry from me because are people taking suicide seriously still? Or has it just become a new trendy joke?

One of my worries is what if someone is saying it as a cry for help? Imagine someone going about their day as usual however they are currently suffering from suicidal thoughts and severe depression.

They are currently doing some type of task but then it all comes crashing down on them, the depression has fogged up their focus and the suicidal thoughts are making their way to the front of their head. And then they hear someone say to them “Oh man, I wanna kill myself”

and their reply is “Same” or “Me too”.

This can easily be interpreted as ‘joining the trend’ but really it could be the person’s cry for help.

Or it could go the other way around.

The person could say “I wanna kill myself” as a confession to someone and then someone else misinterprets it and says “Haha same!” This trend could just be the one that makes people think their suicidal thoughts are not important or just a joke.

Another worry of mine is that what if this is the trend that leads up to actually causing suicides? It’s no secret that our world is quite mucked up as of late, so it isn’t quite a surprise that most people are done with it all. But this trend could just be the influence people need to end up taking their own life, which would be quite tragic.

I am not gonna lie, I am also guilty of joining this ‘trend’. But when I sat down to actually think about it I realised something; what if people are confusing their reality with this joke. Is the statement “I wanna kill myself” truly relatable to them, or are they just joining

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the fun? We can never know as it all depends on that person’s mind and you can never truly know what someone is thinking.

I want you to ask yourself this, if you join in on this trend, is your statement or reply to the statement serious or just a bit of fun? If it is serious, I do strongly suggest talking to someone about your feelings, never be afraid to seek out help.

If you, or anyone you know, are having suicidal thoughts, help is always available. Visit www.mentalhealth.org. nz/home/our-work/category/34/suicideprevention for more information.

Author: Albion Haines is a transgender male who is studying NCEA Level 2 at Capital Training.

construction & infrastructure SECTOR

CONSTRUCTION & INFRASTRUCTURe SECTOR

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ut simply, construction is building. That can include erecting, installing, or maintaining parts of buildings such as plumbing, air-conditioning, or electrical systems and interior work such as joinery, painting, and decorating. Infrastructure covers planning, designing, repairing, and building for people and services such as roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, telecommunications, and drains.

Much of the work in this sector is learned by doing, so it’s best to get on-the-job experience through an apprenticeship or landing an entry-level position.

For many roles in this sector, the work is based outside, involves the use of tools and more often than not, teamwork.

More than 170,000 people work in the construction and infrastructure sector in New Zealand and demand is high.

The types of job you’ll find in this sector include: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Labourer Bricklayer Aluminium joiner Building control officer Drainlayer Glazer Quantity surveyor

For more great content check us out online at jetmag.co.nz and sign up for updates, tips & tricks on Jobs, Education and Training!

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▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Scaffolder Gasfitter Roofer Tiler Plasterer Painter.

construction & infrastructure SECTOR

The long and rewarding road to architecture Architectural graduate Fritha Hobbs loves the design process.

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ritha Hobbs is an architectural graduate and on her way to becoming a registered architect. She’s been working for three years since graduating from Victoria University, Wellington, and her day-to-day work depends on the type of project on which she’s working.

“I can be involved in any built project from the very beginning, such as researching constraints and

“I developed skills I never knew I had pretty quickly, which cemented my desire to keep at it.” discussing ideas with clients, to the very end, working with builders to ensure a project is built according to the design intention.

“At my workplace we are generally given a lot of freedom and so our work just involves keeping projects moving along and resolving

issues through design as much as we can.”

Fritha’s always had a love of houses, interior spaces and technical drawing, so architecture seemed an inevitable career choice.

Even so, she enrolled in first year architecture at Victoria University with some uncertainty.

“I still wasn’t dead set but it appealed a lot more than other degrees I had looked at, due to the broad learning involved,” she said.

“I liked that Victoria University accepted everyone in first year – they didn’t require a portfolio – because I think there are a lot of latent design skills in people that may not surface until in the right sort of incubation.

“I developed skills I never knew I had pretty quickly, which cemented my desire to keep at it.”

To be an architect, a student must complete a three-year undergraduate degree followed by a two-year master’s degree. Fritha took some time off in the years between the two degrees, which she thinks helped her to mature and learn to question what she wanted from her studies. It also gave her the opportunity to do some work, travel and enjoy her twenties.

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She says the best part about her job is designing.

“I still love the process of thinking about how one moves through a space, and how this can be translated into a kind of shelter, responding to the environment, with the available technologies and materials at hand.

“It can be quite conceptual, like designing something very sculptural that might not necessarily be for inhabitation, or quite practical, like using the appropriate windows and doors in an alteration of a house to improve the domestic space in an efficient and economic manner.”

On the flip side, the “worst bits” for Fritha are the time-consuming administrative tasks.

“I also am a bit frustrated currently with the financial obstacles in construction at the moment, at least in Auckland.”

But she’s also excited to be part of Auckland’s future.

“I’m looking forward to our celebrations of culture and diversity being more central to who we are as a city, and I’m excited that practising in architecture gives me licence to do that.”

construction & infrastructure SECTOR

On thE

too s His drive, knowledge and skills saw construction site manager Callum Bryson take out a building apprentice of the year award.

almy boy Callum Bryson has obviously found his true calling in the construction industry. The 25-yearold was recently crowned the winner of the Registered Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year 2016.

During the two-day competition in Auckland in November, the 10 finalists each had their industry knowledge tested through a 45-minute interview and a practical challenge of building a children’s playhouse. It was Callum’s playhouse – which has been donated to Kelston Primary School – that earned him the top prize. The day after the competition was his wedding day, so it was certainly a big week for Callum.

Callum has always dreamed of building his own house one day and this goal was part of what attracted him to the building industry.

“I’ve always enjoyed building things and doing things with my hands. I was also good at woodwork at school,” he says. “I felt the building industry suited me as I enjoy working outside and doing physical work.”

He is now a construction site manager for McMillan and Lockwood. Along with the day-today tasks of a builder, Callum also manages aspects of the job, from ordering materials, to organising sub-contractors and delegating tasks.

He’s been in the construction industry for five years and enjoys the work immensely.

“I love being able to physically see progress on a day-to-day basis and experience the sense of achievement when you step back and look at the build when it is completed,” he says.

“As for the worst bits, I believe every job has its bad days when something isn’t going right or you are running behind schedule but that is all part of the challenge.”

It’s clear that Callum enjoys a challenge.

“The thing with my job is that there are always bigger jobs out there and to be able to progress from small builds to large scale commercial builds is one of my goals,” he says.

Callum takes huge pride in his work and he tries to ensure that all the details are constructed to the highest standard.

“Being able to see a job done right is the biggest motivation for me in my job. The ability to get a set of plans and turn them into a physical building is very rewarding.”

The former Palmerston North Boys’ High School student has found the training relevant and achievable, with most of it being on the job and delivered through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). Better still, he was able to earn while he was learning.

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“My apprenticeship paperwork was easily achievable with the help and support I got from my training advisor from BCITO. It took three years to complete.”

Callum says he has had a lot of support from his BCITO training advisor, Darryl Lark, and the “older heads at McMillan and Lockwood”.

“There is a lot of experience within our company and I have been very lucky to learn from such a good group of guys.”

construction & infrastructure SECTOR

Loving the lab

Stacey Walker was surprised to learn that you don’t necessarily need a science qualification to get a foot in the door as a laboratory technician.

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tacey Walker was working as a pharmacy dispensary technician when she spotted an ad on SEEK for a laboratory technician at Fulton Hogan. Despite not even knowing what a civil engineering testing laboratory did, Stacey was intrigued and decided to apply. A job offer and three years later, Stacey is really going places in her career. In fact, she’s been so successful that she has just been crowned Trainee of the Year by the Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) Waikato branch.

“I was really shocked when I won,” Stacey says, “but it was great to have my achievements recognised.”

Working as a civil laboratory technician has been a real eyeopener for Stacey.

“Very few people have even heard of a lab technician, which is a shame because it’s a great career,” she explains.

“There is such a variety of work here. Some days I’m out on site collecting samples and others I’m in the lab performing tests. We test a wide range of materials, including aggregate, bitumen, asphalt and soil. Most of the tests are to ensure that materials meet industry specifications. Because materials vary so hugely, each test is different

– even if you’re following the same procedure.”

One of the biggest surprises to Stacey was that you don’t necessarily need a science qualification to get a foot in the door.

“Although I do have colleagues here who are qualified scientists, a lot of people including myself enter the industry without a science background. You can learn everything you need on the job,” she explains. “My employer encouraged and supported me to gain industry qualifications, which have a large science component. So far I’ve achieved a Level 4 Laboratory Technician with a strand in Aggregate. I’m now working towards the Level 5 Senior Technician qualification through [industry training organisation] Connexis.”

Stacey says the technician qualifications are interesting and relevant to her job.

“Both of the qualifications are done entirely on-job, and the workload has been manageable. I do most of my book work during the winter months when we’re a bit quieter in the lab.”

Working towards her qualifications on-job meant that Stacey has been able to maintain a good work-life balance and still have time for her hobbies. She is a blue belt at Jiu Jitsu and also enjoys indoor netball and photography.

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The Te Awamutu girl counts her parents as her key mentors.

“They have always taught me to work hard and give everything a go. I’ve always been quite shy so it is important to me to take every opportunity that I can even though it may be scary, because I will always learn something new and grow from the experience.”

There are many career and training opportunities for laboratory technicians and Stacey could go in any number of directions in the future.

“Some people (for example, science or engineering graduates) use laboratory work as a stepping stone towards other work, but it’s a fantastic career in its own right,” she says. “For now I’m just focusing on finishing my Level 5 qualification and then I’ll see where my next step takes me.

There’s still a huge amount to learn.”

Stacey says that she would definitely recommend a career as a laboratory technician.

“If you’re good at multitasking, patient, precise and good at following instructions, then it could be the perfect career.

An interest in science is also a bonus.

If you can tick all of those boxes I’d say ‘go for it’ and you won’t be disappointed.”

construction & infrastructure SECTOR

Fast track to success Rory Kennett wanted a wellpaid job working outdoors and found it at Kiwirail, working as a rail operator.

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fter years of being stuck inside for work, Christchurch man Rory Kennett wanted “a real outdoor job”.

“I also wanted to get out of my comfort zone to see if I could do something on this level,” he says.

Rory decided to chuck in his job as a printer technician/ manager at a firm selling office supplies and

“You get satisfaction out of working with multi-milliondollar equipment on a daily basis and the huge responsibility that goes with it.”

went on the hunt for a job with a great income that offered full training. He searched and found three jobs that ticked these boxes, applied and got all three. One of these was the job at Kiwirail. Rory had heard it rumoured that the rail industry was a great one to get into with good income and perks.

“I then rolled the dice to decide.

And hey, I get to play with trains,” he says.

It turned out to be a lucky dice roll; Rory has certainly found what he was looking for at Kiwirail. The 42-year-old has worked for the past four years as a rail operator, which involves making up and breaking up trains using a shunt locomotive and organising what wagons go to what customers. He also acts as a guide for the remote control operator.

The outdoor nature of his job hasn’t disappointed, and Rory relishes the opportunity to push himself physically, working in all weather conditions.

“You get satisfaction out of working with multimillion-dollar equipment on a daily basis and the huge responsibility that goes with it,” he says.

Rory’s approach to work comes partly from how he has coped with some hurdles he has had to 57

confront.

He recalls a long recovery time following a bad skiing accident in his twenties.

“When I was lying there I decided that I wasn’t going to hold back in life and put things off. So now I do stuff when I want, within reason.

Working outdoors was always appealing, so when the opportunity came along, I took it.”

Rory says he lacked confidence in his younger years, but his late wife Richelle taught him to believe in himself. He also credits a couple of “tough bosses” earlier in his career with teaching him patience for others.

He is focusing on heading into managerial roles in the future.

“I would like to go all the way to the top. Luckily I work for a company that I can move quite far up the chain. There are opportunities available from time to time and I will move up when I get the chance.

“Everybody needs to have a good work to life balance though, so the push up the chain would have to blend in well with my lifestyle. After all, you only get one chance at this life.”

construction & infrastructure SECTOR

Bringing coffee and convenience to commuters Mark Hitchcock has put his property degree to good use in a role managing the transit retail for Auckland Transport.

“I love seeing the end result of delivering a project or new initiative – the before and after snapshots, revealing positive change.”

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fter eight years of managing the London Underground’s retail properties for Transport for London, Mark Hitchcock wasn’t sure what he’d do job-wise upon returning to Auckland after his extended OE. But a job opened up at Auckland Transport (AT) and Mark soon found himself in a similar role, working in AT’s Infrastructure Division as a principal property specialist.

Mark leads AT’s Retail Strategy and its implementation programme, which largely includes developing shops, coffee/convenience kiosks, vending machines and ATMs. One of his more recent projects is the ‘click & collect’ grocery collection lockers around the AT Metro public transport network (rail, bus and ferry), which are proving popular with commuters.

“Transit retail is a rather unique creature,” says Mark. “Public transport users are focused on their journeys, eager to make their timetabled departures. Anxiety levels are high – heads are down in phones – people aren’t there to shop! People will still make purchases; however, the fact that they are keen to get home or to work means they are unlikely to browse-shop.

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“This customer profile has a whole different set of needs and wants from that of traditional retail, and it’s this aspect that makes the job interesting – whether it be working closely with ‘grab and go’ coffee tenancies or consulting to station design teams to embed successful retail formats into new infrastructure projects.”

Mark’s Bachelor of Property from the University of Auckland laid the foundation for his property career. The degree covered a broad range of topics, including property management, valuation, finance, construction and property development.

He loves the variety of work, people and places involved.

“I love seeing the end result of delivering a project or new initiative – the before and after snapshots, revealing positive change – like a new café opening its doors, for example,” says Mark.

The 32-year-old grew up on a dairy farm in Matamata, a far cry from the bustle of London and Auckland. He credits his upbringing with teaching him the value of hard work.

“My mum and dad taught me all about getting stuck in and working hard – and that ethic applies to whatever you’re into,” he says.

CREATIVE SECTOR

CREATIVE SECTOR

T

he creative sector is all about expression. It includes industries such as media (film, TV, radio, and print), performing arts, advertising, and visual arts and design. This is the sector where individual brilliance shines and there may be fewer constraints (and less stability) than in other jobs.

More than 11,000 New Zealanders work in the media industry. Advertising employs around 6,000 people, and the visual arts and design fields employ about 12,000 people. Competition for entry-level jobs in all these fields is very high so freelancing, volunteering, or internships may be your foot in the door to this type of work.

The types of job you’ll find in this sector include: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Actor Model Fashion designer Singer Stunt person Graphic designer Architect

▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Animator Website developer Make-up artist Web designer Photographer Copywriter Journalist.

WE WORK AROUND THE CLOCK, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO PRODUCE A HUGE RANGE OF MATERIAL – LARGE AND SMALL, COMPLEX AND STRAIGHTFORWARD, IN THOUSANDS AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. This includes newsletters, posters, annual reports, investment publications, books, catalogues, stationery, forms, brochures, magazines, mailing services, wide and large format and point-of-sale display material.

For more information or to discuss your requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us 33 Jackson St, Petone, Private Bag 39996, Wellington P: 04 576 5151

F: 04 576 9151

www.printlink.co.nz we are a

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business

CREATIVE SECTOR

Designing a life A childhood love of drawing and creativity has led to a busy job as a graphic designer for Arthur Wallace.

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s a kid, Arthur Wallace wouldn’t stop drawing.

As soon as he could hold a pencil, blank paper was a constant companion for him, and so art subjects were an obvious choice once he reached high school.

“When I was about three years old I would draw on everything, anytime I could,” he says.

“As I grew older my parents and grandparents figured out a cheap present for me was reams of paper.

This lasted till high school.

“At Palmerston North Boys’ High I took art from day one and by year 12 I already completed NCEA Level 3 design and photography, so in year 13 I focused on design, photography and sculpture scholarships as well as scholarship English and classics.

“I left no creative stone unturned in my subject choices!”

After school, 22-year-old Arthur studied graphic design at Massey University in Wellington, focusing in particular on typography for web and print, and graduated with a Bachelor of Design with honours.

Arthur has spent the last 18 months working as a graphic designer and production assistant in Wellington. In his work he designs a range of specialty magazines, websites and other print materials for the education and health sectors, and no two days are the same.

From designing and creating new websites from scratch, to laying out a fortnightly magazine, Arthur’s work is varied and fast-paced.

“The best part is seeing my work out there, being experienced by a wide range of people,” he says.

And the most challenging aspect?

“That would be the juggling of different projects – I work on multiple projects every day. So time management is another challenge!” he laughs.

When it comes to advice for budding designers, Arthur says networking is important.

“Definitely make the most of your time at university or polytech to get your name and work out there – that will help with finding a job later,” he says.

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“Definitely make the most of your time at university or polytech to get your name and work out there – that will help with finding a job later.”

CREATIVE SECTOR

A way with words Jude Barback loves having a job that allows her to write for a living.

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y the time lunchtime rolls around on a typical working day, Jude Barback has usually interviewed someone, posted a news story or two online, worked on a feature article draft, edited an article from a contributing writer and smashed through about 50 emails, many of them press releases.

Jude is a magazine editor; she edits Education Review and INsite (aged care and retirement) magazines, published by NZME. Educational Media. She loves the variety that comes from the two very different titles.

“I cover cradle to grave,” she jokes, before adding, “Each sector is different and each has its own challenges and issues, which means there is never a dull moment.”

Jude’s foray into the publishing industry started after she left university. Graduating from the University of Auckland with a BA/ BCom, the Matamata girl went to the UK and found work in Oxford at Blackwell Publishing (now WileyBlackwell) in the medical journals department. Blackwell helped to contribute towards her master’s degree in publishing, which she completed part-time while working.

Fast forward a few years, and Jude returned to New Zealand with her British husband and two small children in tow. She was nervous about finding work and trawled SEEK constantly.

“The editor position jumped out at me,” said Jude. “I didn’t have any journalism experience, but I knew I could write.”

Her publishing background got her an interview and then Jude was put through her paces with several writing assignments. Her writing got the nod of approval and Jude got the job.

Although NZME. Educational Media is based in Wellington, the 34-year-old works from home in the Bay of Plenty.

“People often ask me how I manage to stay focused working from home, but I actually find myself way more distracted in an office environment,” says Jude.

“The deadlines demand focus. The problem I have is actually switching off from work.”

Five years on, she now has a journalism diploma, completed via ‘on-the-job’ training with the journalism industry training organisation, Competenz.

The nature of trade magazine publishing has changed over the years. Jude finds herself spending 61

more time on updating the publications’ websites and social media sites.

“The ever-increasing workload is a challenge,” says Jude. “It is hard to juggle the print and digital demands of two different publications while keeping the standard of writing high.”

But Jude is grateful for the opportunity to do what she loves for a living – write.

“The editor position jumped out at me. I didn’t have any journalism experience, but I knew I could write.”

CREATIVE SECTOR

“When you first open a score and start learning new music, you and the music are total strangers, but by the time you get onstage you are old friends.”

Hitting the right notes After training in London, opera singer Nicole Evans has returned to Christchurch to pursue a career in singing.

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icole Evans has been singing for as long as she can remember, but she didn’t fall in love with classical music until she was 15 years old, during her years at Christchurch Girls’ High School. She performed in her very first opera in year 13, in the chorus for Canterbury Opera’s production of Turandot.

Nicole went on to study a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in German at the University of Otago before heading to London to take her singing career to the next level.

She spent two years in the opera school at Morley College in London.

Her tuition at Morley College was partly funded by the New Zealand Society of the United Kingdom (a society for Kiwi expats) and Morley College’s own bursary fund.

During her time there, Nicole got the opportunity to work with many high profile conductors, directors, pianists and coaches.

One of the most influential people she met there was her singing teacher Jacqueline Bremar, a dramatic soprano.

“There are a lot of charlatans in the music world who will be happy to take your money while delivering very little, but Jacqueline is the real deal. She truly knows what she is doing and is an amazing teacher, mentor and friend.”

After a long stint in the UK, Nicole Evans has returned home to Christchurch where she is pursuing a career as a singer.

The 32-year-old has immersed herself in singing, performing onstage in operas, oratorio or in recitals. She also teaches singing.

“I have dipped in and out of professional singing since 2001, but really have focused on singing more over the last three to four years.”

Nicole is passionate about the creative process of learning and staging a role. There are four distinct phases that go into getting a new work onstage: learning the music, music rehearsals, blocking (staging) rehearsals, and finally performing. Nicole enjoys each stage as each draws on a different skillset.

“When you first open a score and start learning new music, you and the music are total strangers, but by the time you get onstage you are old friends.”

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She loves the interdisciplinary nature of classical music. The performance aspect involves foreign languages, vocal technique, a high level of musicianship, acting, stagecraft, and costumes, while the business side involves being entrepreneurial, marketing yourself, and a whole host of other skills related to being a freelancer/ running yourself as a small business.

Nicole also has a background in administration and working parttime as the operations manager of an academic charity.

Nicole’s long-term goal is simply to keep singing.

“This is an incredibly difficult industry with no job security and limited financial rewards, unless you are in the highest echelon of opera ‘superstars’ – in which case the money is pretty great!”

Financial security has become more of a priority for Nicole since she has recently started a family.

Nicole says she would love to become a member of a full-time professional opera chorus as it would combine her passions of singing and performing for a living, while still providing the financial security she needs to look after her family.

CREATIVE SECTOR

Behind the lens After working in a range of different fields, Antoinette Baker found that she had a natural talent for photography and hasn’t looked back.

“I

shoot people.”

That’s Antoinette Baker’s byline for her photography business, which her father set up.

The Christchurch photographer recalls how the business grew busier and busier within a few years of her dad establishing it.

“He one day literally threw me a camera and said ‘I need help.

Let’s see if you are any good at photography’. Turned out I had what is called the ‘eye’ for photography and that’s something that can’t be taught.”

At the time Antoinette was designing interiors and landscaping for commercial developments. Prior to this, she had done all manner of jobs – from nannying in London and Cairo, to designing elevators in Beirut, to performing cabaret and broadway shows in Spain and Greece. However, it appears she found her niche in photography.

Her first shoot, done without any training, resulted in Antoinette being head-hunted by two top Australian photographers.

“Both wanted me to go over to Melbourne to work with them but my loyalty was to my family so I stayed here in Christchurch,” she says.

However, her dad was eager for Antoinette to learn the more technical aspects of photography and sent her to Melbourne to train in portraiture at the largest portrait and commercial studio and lab in the Southern Hemisphere.

In addition to working in the business, Antoinette also does her own independent photography work in New Zealand and overseas.

It’s a varied job. On a day-to-day basis she controls the running of the business – “boring things like accounts, emails and phone calls” – but she is also out photographing anything from a Crusaders game to teams to events to children’s portraiture.

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The 38-year-old is enormously grateful to her parents for the opportunities she has had. She describes herself as “a very challenging, independent child and teenager”.

“My parents found a wonderful balance of keeping me grounded whilst still giving me the freedom to make my own decisions – whether they were good or bad. They nurtured my talents and allowed me to be my own person. Because of this I believe it is why I now live relatively fearlessly with the unwavering belief that anything is possible.”

Because of this, Antoinette’s main motivation is to take care of her parents.

“The more successful the business is, the more secure they are. They have given me so much over my life and sacrificed more than I could even imagine so it is my way of giving back.”

CREATIVE SECTOR

Lights, camera,

action!

1 News political reporter Katie Bradford says no two days are the same for a TV journalist.

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VNZ’s Katie Bradford is a familiar face on our television screens as a political reporter for 1 News.

Her job involves telling the country what is happening in New Zealand politics, usually from the Beehive.

“That means interviewing politicians and sometimes that means chasing them down corridors when they don’t want to talk to us!”

Katie puts together stories for the various news bulletins, including those for Breakfast, Midday, and the 6pm and late news. She does live crosses – going live on air at various times of the day to break down and analyse the news of the day. Katie also files stories and takes photos for the 1 News website and updates social media.

The 34-year-old has always had her sights set on a career in journalism.

“From about the age of 12 I wanted to be a journalist and started writing for school magazines, local newspapers and visiting TV studios whenever I could,” says Katie.

She studied history, politics, and film, television and media studies at the University of Auckland and then

went on to complete a graduate diploma in journalism at AUT. “I have to admit, history is my first love but politics is so tied in with it that it felt like a natural progression to study those and then become a journalist!”

Katie started out in print journalism, working in newspapers, but soon transitioned to radio and then television. She says she has always looked up to strong female journalists across all media – Kim Hill, Kathryn Ryan, Linda Clark and Kerre Woodham are among her role models.

“I think all mediums have their pros and cons and the media industry these days means we all do a bit of everything!”

Indeed, no two days are ever the same and Katie says she needs to be prepared for anything.

“I can be expecting to be working on one story and then all of a sudden the Prime Minister resigns, or an earthquake happens and everything changes in a second.

People are very used to me having to cancel appointments at the last minute because of this!”

She loves getting behind the scenes and experiencing what other people don’t get to see – and then trying to translate that into a way the 64

“It sounds cheesy but it’s incredible the access we journalists get into people’s lives.”

general public can understand.

There is a downside to being in the public eye, however.

“The worst part of the job has to be the harassment on social media.

I’m trying to learn to rise above it and recognise the fact that these people are anonymous trolls who will never say that to my face – but sometimes it’s not easy.”

Fortunately the good outweighs the bad and Katie relishes the opportunity to tell people’s stories.

“It sounds cheesy but it’s incredible the access we journalists get into people’s lives. When something bad – or good – happens, or someone is in a tough situation, they often want their story told. To have a 90-year-old woman welcome me into her home because she can’t afford power that winter is an honour.

“We can’t do our job; we can’t tell people what’s happening in this country if people don’t share their stories and I feel very lucky and privileged to be able to do that. I want to keep doing that – the day I don’t feel moved or pushed to tell these stories is the day I will change careers!”

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY sector

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

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his sector covers diverse industries such as baking, boatbuilding, marine products, clothing and textiles, footwear, concrete, dairy, electronics, food and beverages technology, glass, machinery and equipment, mechanical engineering, metal, paint, chemicals and plastics, pharmaceutical, jewellery, furniture, and transport.

Manufacturing is where our raw materials are turned into valuable products. Given that manufacturing is such a big earner for the New Zealand economy, the Government has identified it as a priority area for growth (as part of the focus on STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing).

Technology industries are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, so a career in this high-paying sector could be rewarding and lucrative.

The types of job you’ll find in this sector include: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Baker Biotechnologist Butcher Collision repair technician (panelbeater) Electrician Food technologist Medical technologist Production planner Chemical production operator

▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Recycler/dismantler Cabinet maker Fabrication engineer Water/waste water treatment operator Dairy products maker Tyre technician Jeweller Clothing marker/cutter.

Supporting girls learning to code.

Check out www.girlsinnov8.net 65

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY sector

The scent of success Owner of Botanical Radiance Candles Ariana Yearly is turning her candle-making hobby into a business that fits in with her busy family lifestyle.

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hat started out as a hobby turned into a business for Ariana Yearly from Christchurch.

The 37-year-old has made scented soy candles for herself for a number of years because she loves to burn them every night.

“I started giving them away as gifts; they were very well received so I started selling them about a year ago,” she says.

“I haven’t gone on to use any of the specifics of my degree, but the roundedness of being tertiary qualified is invaluable.”

Ariana left full-time paid employment after her second child was born to pursue her business dream making candles. She runs the operation from home, which

allows her to work at her own pace and balance this with the demands of her two young children. With her youngest starting school this year, Ariana says she now has more time to focus on her candles and the business.

“My goal is to grow this so I can earn a living from it and thus have the flexibility to fit work around my family and other interests.”

Her candles are all hand-poured, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. However, Ariana has enjoyed the opportunity to bring other skills to the table, like branding, labelling and costing.

Although she sells the products via Facebook, it’s the candle parties and markets that Ariana loves the most as it gives her a chance to interact with the customers.

Her foray into candle-making marks a significant career change, and one that she hasn’t regretted.

In the past, Ariana has worked as an English instructor in Japan, a course administrator at the University of Auckland, and as a road safety education coordinator at Auckland Transport for Auckland Council.

“I’ve enjoyed aspects of all previous jobs and learnt invaluable skills and knowledge, but having a family means you need flexibility.

Financially, professionally and personally it needs to be rewarding 66

to work full-time and raise a family.

For me, I’ve had the luxury of not needing to work, so it’s been an opportunity for me to create something that fits in with our lifestyle.”

After working in Japan and Auckland, Ariana returned to Christchurch, where she had grown up. She attended high school in Avonside and graduated from Canterbury University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology.

“I haven’t gone on to use any of the specifics of my degree, but the roundedness of being tertiary qualified is invaluable. I learnt how to commit, research, study. I don’t think university is for everybody, but it worked as a great starting point for me. Looking back, it’s the whole experience rather than the specific information that is key.”

Upon returning to Christchurch, Ariana and her sister Aimee started a business together called Candles and Cream, in which Ariana does the candles and Aimee makes natural skin care and home products.

“It’s fun doing something together,” says Ariana. “I love working with my hands and indulging the senses. It’s very peaceful and uplifting making candles.”

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY sector

Gem of a job Believe it or not, there are still jewellers out there doing all the work themselves. Working out of Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Debra Fallowfield is one of New Zealand’s most successful artisan jewellers.

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ach piece of jewellery Debra makes is created entirely by hand, from start to finish. She uses traditional techniques such as forging, wax carving, piercing, soldering and fusing. This makes each of her works one of a kind, like a bespoke fingerprint.

These days her work is sought after worldwide and favoured by celebrities such as Tilda Swinton (the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Andrew Adamson (the director of Shrek), New Zealand sports players and many others. Her work has been featured in publications including Black, Urbis, Lino, MINDFOOD, Viva and Sunday.

Debra loved art subjects at school and always knew she would end up in that industry. After finishing college, she went to Sydney and completed a part-time TAFE jewellery course one night a week.

However, she credits most of her knowledge to her own practice and experimentation in her dad’s garage back in Christchurch.

Eventually, her work started to gain recognition when galleries became interested in buying her jewellery. Having always worked for

herself, it is a huge accomplishment to be mortgage-free and financially stable, she says, particularly while doing something she loves. Working for yourself isn’t always glorious though; it can involve a lot of late

Debra believes study is unnecessary if you truly have a passion for jewellerymaking – after all, she learnt pretty much all she knows by teaching herself.

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nights and hard work. Long hours, even double-time work, is often the case in your own business, as you aren’t paid hourly.

Her work is available worldwide through her website www.debrafallowfield.com. Debra says she is not selling an item, she is selling an experience that has great value and is also very humbling and emotional for her.

The best part of her job is the ability to call the shots, experiment and play with her work as if was a hobby. The most difficult part of handmade jewellery is how physically demanding it can be, especially when working with hard metals. One necklace can take approximately 30 hours, so the work can become tedious.

To be a jeweller, Debra says you should be resilient and patient as a lot can go wrong. It’s also a harsh industry: if someone doesn’t like your work they won’t buy it. A jeweller should be thick-skinned and competitive to be successful.

Debra’s advice to any aspiring jeweller reading this is: “Don’t give up, especially if you love it – just give it a go”. Debra believes study is unnecessary if you truly have a passion for jewellery-making – after all, she learnt pretty much all she knows by teaching herself.

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY sector

At the corporate

cutting edge Steve Hitchcock credits his “down to earth” rural upbringing for this success in the corporate world. He is New Ventures Manager for Vodafone New Zealand.

“I’d love to launch a successful new innovative product that I can see consumers use in everyday life and get the satisfaction that it was my work that brought this together.”

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he slick interiors of Vodafone’s head office in Auckland are a far cry from the cow shed in Matamata where Steve Hitchcock spent his childhood years. However, he credits his dairy farming upbringing with teaching him the importance of hard work.

“When growing up, my parents taught me about how to work hard and be a good person, two major traits that I believe go a long way in business,” says Steve, who attended Matamata College.

Having always had a talent for maths, Steve pursued a degree in finance and economics at Victoria University in Wellington. Following graduation, Steve took the path of many young Kiwis and headed to London to enjoy his OE. His aptitude for numbers and his work ethic saw him land a job working in finance at global investment bank Goldman Sachs in London, where he climbed the ladder to become Vice President Investment Banking.

His position at Goldman exposed him to the telecommunications, media and technology industries, equipping him well for a position 68

as New Ventures Manager for Vodafone upon his return to New Zealand.

“It was a logical step not too far from my past experience but something new,” says Steve, who was keen to try a role outside of finance.

The 30-year-old has been in his Vodafone role for around two years.

He is in charge of defining the strategies and building the business cases for new products and services outside Vodafone’s core businesses relating to mobile and broadband.

Steve likes being at the cutting edge of consumer technology trends. He enjoys the challenge of creating a business model that works the best for Vodafone.

Working for a big company has its downsides too, however.

“It’s difficult to make these new products a major priority when there are so many other products being put through ‘the machine’ at the same time.”

That aside, Steve has his sights set on making his mark at Vodafone.

“I’d love to launch a successful new innovative product that I can see consumers use in everyday life and get the satisfaction that it was my work that brought this together.”

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY sector

Engineering a

romance It was engineering that initially brought newlyweds Sereen and Theo van de Wetering together.

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heo, a Kiwi farm boy from Matamata who was “bred to hate Auckland”, met city girl Sereen from Birmingham on his OE in London, where they worked at the same engineering company.

“Theo was the only guy under the age of 50,” laughs Sereen.

The couple stayed in London for three years before moving to New Zealand 18 months ago. They tied the knot in January this year.

They are both project engineers, working in industrial engineering designing process plants for the dairy, mining, oil and gas, water and wastewater industries.

Sereen says her job involves the technical design of anything that moves or has product moving through it, like conveyors, pumps, chutes and so on.

“My job is to just to get things done,” she says, “making sure all disciplines on a project are talking, and filling in any gaps.”

Theo says project management involves taking responsibility for delivering the project on time and in budget. “Basically stressing out about the details that build up to project costs and schedule, like safety of the team, quality assurance, reporting and personnel,” he says.

It seems a far cry from the response Theo gave the careers advisor at Matamata College when asked what he intended to do once he’d finished school.

“I told him I was going to drive tractors in Western Australia,” says Theo. “He killed that dream and sent me to uni. By a process of elimination mechanical engineering stood out for me.”

Sereen was also encouraged by her school to take the engineering path.

“I always liked physics and maths and my physics teacher at school picked up on this and told me I should pursue engineering. He sent me on an automotive engineering week-long course and from there I was pretty much sold!”

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They both qualified with degrees in mechanical engineering in universities on opposite sides of the globe.

Sereen is most motivated by positive feedback from happy clients.

“I get excited about developing relationships with clients, talking to them and understanding the problems they want solved.”

Theo agrees. He enjoys the challenge of stitching together a large number of variables to meet an overall goal.

And the worst bits?

“Engineers have no chat,” says Theo.

That aside, he has his ambitions set on running the biggest projects in New Zealand.

Sereen isn’t sure where she wants to end up in engineering. While she enjoys technical engineering, she prefers interfacing with the client.

“I’m still trying to figure out where I want to be in five years even.

Maybe in a corporate role at the company,” she says.

MANUFACTURING & TECHNOLOGY sector

“The thing I still love is hearing from a customer that what I’ve built has made their life that much easier.”

App ambitions Software developer Brendan Knowles’ interest in technology started at a young age.

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rendan Knowles always liked tinkering with PCs as a kid. Little did he know then that his fascination with computers would one day lead to a career as a software developer and an entrepreneur.

The 37-year-old has spent the last few years consulting for various companies, primarily doing contract software development, as well as creating an SaaS (Software as a Service) offering on behalf of his own company, Logic Software Ltd. Brendan pursued programming at his high school, Tawa College.

“It felt like something which I enjoyed and could see myself making a career of doing.”

He decided to enrol in a Diploma in Business Computing at the Central Institute of Technology in Upper Hutt.

“From early on in my career I learned to love the idea that the software/tools I created had the potential to make a significant difference in the efficiency and productivity of others.

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“The thing I still love is hearing from a customer that what I’ve built has made their life that much easier.”

Brendan says this is what motivates him most – that, and a desire to create.

With a wife and two young kids in tow, he says he’s also driven to provide a good income and opportunities for his family. They live in Tauranga.

“The only part I struggle with, and it’s entirely self-inflicted, is those days my brain hurts since I’m juggling too many balls. This happens frequently since I always have a number of interests and projects on the go. But variety is the spice of life!”

Brendan loves the flexibility of his job.

“The great thing about software development is it’s now possible for those of us who are driven selfstarters to avoid being tied to an office. Next year we plan to go on a big trip as a family and I can earn an income during the downtime from wherever in the world we find ourselves.”

PRIMARY SECTOR

PRIMARY Sector

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ant to work outdoors or with the natural environment? Then the primary sector is for you!

Primary sector jobs are best for people who enjoy physical work, working with animals, growing things, and have respect for the environment.

Industries that come under the primary sector include farming, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, marine science, seafood, and the seed industry.

The primary sector is always changing as the new technology develops.

You can earn good money, work outdoors or indoors, alone or with others, and contribute to the country’s economy. This sector makes up a considerable part of New Zealand’s workforce, with about 11 per cent of jobs in the agriculture sector alone.

The types of job you’ll find in this sector include: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Farmer Fisherman Forestry worker Winemaker Shearer Aquaculture diver

▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Zoologist Food technologist Marine scientist Horticulturalist Beekeeper (apiarist).

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PRIMARY SECTOR

Dairying dream Having being drawn to dairy farming since he was a kid, Khan Underwood is now well on the way to achieving his dream of farm ownership.

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s a kid Khan Underwood enjoyed helping out his dad on the family dairy farm – so much so that he has followed in his father’s footsteps to pursue his own career in dairy farming.

In June this year Khan began a three-year contract as herd owner in a 50/50 sharemilker on a 180-cow dairy farm just out of Matamata.

This essentially means that as owner of the cows, Khan is responsible for their production and health, while the other party owns the farm.

It’s a busy job that extends far beyond the twice-daily milkings.

There is animal management, calving cows and raising calves to think about. Khan has just finished artificial breeding and currently has bulls in with the cows to get cows in calf. On top of this, there is feed and pasture management and all general farm business and administration to take into account as well.

Prior to his current sharemilking role, Khan worked as a contract milker on a 270-cow farm. Before that, he held a farm managing role on a 900-cow farm.

His dairy farming experience began from a young age and he picked up many of the necessary practical skills as a kid working alongside his father on the farm and relief milking during his school years at Matamata College. After finishing school, Khan went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce with Agriculture at Lincoln University.

“I picked up skills working on a cropping farm out of Christchurch and the university course involved a work experience requirement over the university holidays.”

The idea of dairy farming has always held a huge appeal for the 27-year-old.

“I like the idea of working from home and being my own boss. It also allows me to spend most of my day outside.”

And while there are no mini Red Band gumboots at their house just yet, Khan and his wife Sarah believe that dairy farming affords the best lifestyle for a family.

Khan values the ability to progress relatively quickly within the dairy farming profession. He has his eyes firmly set on owning his own farm and being his own boss. He credits his past employers as a source of inspiration in this regard.

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“I like the idea of working from home and being my own boss. It also allows me to spend most of my day outside.”

“They have worked hard and gone through the stages of progression that we are going through now and have achieved the goal of farm ownership,” he says.

Of course, with responsibility and ownership come downsides. The hours, especially through the calving period, are what Khan classifies as one of the “worst bits” of the job. Forces outside his control, such as the weather, market prices and payouts, also make the job unpredictable at times.

These aside, Khan wouldn’t have it any other way. He fiercely values the freedom, the opportunity to work with animals, and the ability to live in the country and work outdoors.

PRIMARY SECTOR

Engineering for trees

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Forestry – don’t judge it before you know it, says Blake Jones, who recently gained a Bachelor of Forestry Science with first class honours from the University of Canterbury.

here is this huge misconception around professional forestry,” says Blake Jones. “Over my four years of study, whenever somebody asked me what I was studying, and I replied with, ‘forestry’, I always got a funny look, which was often followed by ‘Why do you go to uni for that, do you need a degree to use a chainsaw?’ Or ‘Don’t you just bang trees in the ground and leave them for 25 years?’

“For an industry that contributes as much as it does to our GDP, the general public just doesn’t understand what really goes on in the planning and professional side.

I went into studying knowing that there is a lot more than just planting trees and a bit of economics, but even I was surprised at the huge amount of learning material and the level of technicality there is in a forestry degree. It’s like engineering but for trees.”

During his time at university, Blake spent several summers and holidays working at the coalface of the industry completing work experience. This involved working for harvesting crews in several roles, including log making, tree felling,

and skidder operating. The practical skills obtained in the field were undoubtedly useful for his study and Blake would recommend getting this experience to any student.

“That means girls, too. There are plenty of women in this industry and it is not uncommon at all to see women working on harvesting sites.”

From biology to ecology, statistics, and chemistry, right through to complex soil science, economics, GIS, management, and road engineering, Blake was pretty surprised by the broad range of material in the degree and as one of his lecturers accurately described, it was almost like “learning some things about everything”.

Blake says there are not many courses on offer where there are

more job opportunities going than there are final year students, and he says if you think this sounds like a bit of you, contact a local forestry company and ask if you can ride shotgun with one of the managers for a few days and see what it’s all about.

“There is something for everyone in forestry: if you like nature and conserving it, study forestry; if you like destroying nature with 46-tonne, 600-horsepower diesel burning machines, study forestry; if you would like to manage millions of dollars of a natural, sustainable resource, then study forestry. And if you would like to have a very competitive salary, a new company ute, fuel card, and cell phone, study forestry.”

“For an industry that contributes as much as it does to our GDP, the general public just doesn’t understand what really goes on in the planning and professional side.”

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PRIMARY SECTOR

Big on

bi security Border quarantine officer Peter Weedon is passionate about keeping out pests and diseases that could harm our environment.

P

eter Weedon was in a job he wasn’t enjoying until he decided to transfer his skill set into a quarantine officer role.

“I’m so glad I applied when I did, because I have enjoyed every minute of it so far,” says Peter.

“One day I could be on a cruise ship clearing passengers and the vessel, then the next day running an X-ray machine at the International Mail Centre.”

The 36-year-old has been a border quarantine officer for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for four and half years now.

Thanks to TV shows like Border Security, we all have a better idea of the type of work that Peter does. On a day-to-day basis he is responsible for identifying and controlling biosecurity risks arriving at New Zealand’s borders. He controls the entry of agricultural and horticultural produce, used cars/ machinery, ships, aircraft, plants/ seeds, animals and animal products into New Zealand.

Peter is originally from the Bay of Plenty, where he grew up in Katikati and Rotorua. He now calls Auckland home, working at various sites around the city, including Auckland International Airport, the International Mail Centre, Ports of Auckland, the air freight arrival centre and transitional facilities Auckland-wide.

He loves the variety and says very few days are the same.

“One day I could be on a cruise ship clearing passengers and the 74

vessel, then the next day running an X-ray machine at the international Mail Centre. Working over five work sites within Auckland keeps you on your toes, making sure you stay competent in the skills required for each work site.”

And the downside?

“Getting up at 3.30am to go to work for an early shift at the International Airport. The joys of shift work!” says Peter.

The job requires six weeks’ internal training, then on-the-job training through mentors. He’s keen to continue to develop in his role through self-learning and to soak up any opportunities at MPI. His goal is to be the best quarantine officer he can be.

Peter’s key mentor is his chief quarantine officer at work, from whom he regularly seeks guidance.

His wife is also a key source of inspiration.

“Cheesey, I know!” says Peter, “but she keeps me well grounded and is always pushing and encouraging me to grow as a person and professionally.”

PRIMARY SECTOR

Kiwifruit overload

Postdoc horticultural scientist Christina Fullerton loves being involved in one of New Zealand’s key export industries – kiwifruit.

C

hristina Fullerton loved science at school, particularly biology and learning about plants. With the encouragement of some enthusiastic teachers at her school, Baradene College in Auckland, she decided fairly early on to make a career out of it.

Upon completing her undergraduate degree in food science, Christina completed several summer studentships at Plant & Food Research, including one in Central Otago where she spent the summer living in a caravan and doing postharvest research on apricots.

“I loved being out on the orchard as well as in the lab. This opportunity provided first-hand experience in whole fruit physiology and enabled me to gain experience in the physical aspects of fruit science.

“I found that summer studentships were a great way to gain real-life experience in the area you are interested in. I found that these were extremely valuable because I met people who I still consider great mentors in the work I am doing now,” says Christina.

She then went on to pursue further postgrad study and completed her PhD. The 27-yearold now works as a postdoctoral scientist in the Postharvest Fresh Foods Group at Plant & Food Research in Auckland.

“I mainly work on kiwifruit, looking at solving postharvest issues of new kiwifruit cultivars so that New

Zealand can produce the best fruit to sell in the supermarkets.

This includes looking at the best temperature to store fruit at, monitoring fruit quality during storage and sensory evaluations – yum!”

There is such a thing as ‘too much kiwifruit’, however, as Christina has discovered.

“The worst part about the job is trying to decide what to do with all the leftover fruit! There is only so much you can eat and so many jams you can make out of it!”

As for the best parts, Christina loves being able to work as part of a team.

“Everyone pitches in to do their bit when things get very busy, as they do around fruit season! While it is sometimes hard work, we do have lots of fun.”

Her position has also allowed her to travel overseas to countries where New Zealand exports its kiwifruit, such as China and Japan.

After all the experimental work is done the next big part of her job is to write up all the results in the form of reports or scientific publications.

“I love being able to do not only fundamental science, but to work closely with industry to help deliver postharvest systems to improve storage performance while maintaining eating quality of fruit,” she says.

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“Some of the work we do also directly benefits the fruit growers and it is exciting to know we are making a difference to the way crops are being grown and managed.”

Christina likes the fact that she is contributing to an industry that is important for New Zealand’s economy.

“Some of the work we do also directly benefits the fruit growers and it is exciting to know we are making a difference to the way crops are being grown and managed.”

Christina is ambitious when it comes to her career.

“As a young scientist just starting out, one of my goals is to be able to successfully set up and lead larger projects and report on their results.

PRIMARY SECTOR

Animal attraction

E

Animal lover Erika Smith has found her true calling as a veterinary nurse.

rika Smith works as a senior veterinary nurse at an after-hours emergency practice in Te Awamutu.

However, she wasn’t always certain she would end up vet nursing. As a little girl, she’d dreamed of being a vet, but talked herself out of it, believing she “wasn’t smart enough”.

Erika went on to complete a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland; however, like many new grads she struggled to find a job. She was adamant she didn’t want to sit in a lab behind a microscope. She looked towards a potential career in zookeeping and applied for a job at Auckland Zoo but didn’t get an interview, so she began researching what qualifications were needed to become a zookeeper. While searching for the Captive Wild Animal Management Certificate in Unitec’s prospectus, she stumbled across the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.

“As soon as I saw that, a lightbulb went on and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” says Erika.

“I have always had an affinity with animals and the thought of looking after them in a nursing capacity really resonated with me.”

She graduated in 2010.

“When I was studying you could do a certificate in veterinary nursing

which is a one-year course or a diploma in veterinary nursing, which is two years. Now they have also introduced a degree as a veterinary technician, which is only offered in Palmerston North, and are phasing out the certificate. If you do one year of study now, you become a veterinary nurse assistant.”

Now that she has a front-row seat to what the vet does, she says she is pleased she took the vet nursing path.

“I enjoy nursing much more as we get to be so much more hands-on with the animals’ actual care than the vet is at times. Just like in human medicine.”

There’s a lot involved in the work of a vet nurse.

Taking appointments, greeting owners and pets, admitting and discharging patients, triaging all incoming animals, carrying out any diagnostics as advised by the vet such as blood/urine collecting and testing, taking radiographs, eye staining and faecal testing are all in a day’s work for Erika.

“Nurses are responsible for all inpatient clinical exams, IV catheter placement and fluid therapy, administering medications, monitoring blood transfusions.

We also assist the vet in surgery and monitor our patients under anaesthetic. Then of course we have to keep the clinic clean, sterilise surgical packs and do mountains of washing.”

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Erika also enjoys teaching student nurses and worked as a veterinary nurse tutor for two years.

“We have lots of students coming through our clinic and I love seeing their excitement when they get to place a catheter or clip up a wound for the first time.”

Erika loves that she never knows what each shift will bring and that she is able to put to use all the skills she learned in her diploma.

“I love that we are available when all other clinics are closed. We are an amazing, experienced team and because we are an after-hours emergency practice, we have a lot of cutting- edge equipment at the clinic to do what needs to be done at 3am!”

“The thing I love most about my job is animals who came into the clinic in a critical state like a metaldehyde [slug bait] toxicity, walking out with their owners in the morning, wagging their tails!”

The downside is, of course, euthanasia, particularly when such decisions are based on finances.

Erika begins work this year on an emergency and critical care specialty through an American provider. There is currently only one specialty nurse in New Zealand at Massey University who specialises in anaesthetics, so she is excited at the prospect of upskilling.

SERVICES SECTOR

SERVICES SECTOR

S

ervices is a diverse sector that is about interacting with and helping people. Think of any time you have been served by someone – at a restaurant or café, in a hotel, on a plane, over the phone, at the gym, or at the hairdresser. That person who helped you works in this sector.

The industries in the service sector are almost too numerous to mention. The sector employs about a quarter of all working New Zealanders, and it also has the largest percentage of casual and part-time workers. Odds are, if you’re looking for casual work while studying, it will be in the Services Sector, which rocks because everyone loves someone who helps!

The types of job you’ll find in this sector include: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Accountant Barista Beauty therapist Hairdresser Chef Customer service representative Flight attendant Hotel manager

▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Marketer Personal trainer Retail assistant Receptionist Ski instructor Tour guide Politician Waiter.

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SERVICES SECTOR

Crusading for

justice

Community lawyer Lucinda Knapp firmly believes in helping people to stand up for what is fair and just.

N

ew Zealand’s isolated West Coast in the South Island might not have much in common with Alabama, USA, in the 1950s, yet Westport girl Lucinda Knapp has always drawn inspiration from Rosa Parks, the famous civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat for a white passenger on a segregated bus.

“Rosa Parks embodies how important it is for people to stand up for what is just,” says Lucinda.

It was this belief in social justice and effecting change that motivated Lucinda to pursue a career in law.

“It sounds clichéd, but I really wanted to help people by advocating for them,” she says.

“Working in the community legal sector and being able to assist vulnerable and disadvantaged communities is a good fit for me.”

Lucinda now works as the acting principal solicitor at the Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre in Nowra, New South Wales, Australia.

The centre is a not-for-profit, community-managed free legal service established in 1999.

It is part of a statewide and national network of community legal centres that aim to promote an agenda of social justice and work towards fairer legal and social outcomes for those most disadvantaged.

Lucinda is also involved in law reform working and providing legal

“Working in the community legal sector and being able to assist vulnerable and disadvantaged communities is a good fit for me.”

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education to local communities. She loves that her job helps to equip people to help themselves.

“It is my job to help people find a solution to their legal problems,” she says. “I am passionate about empowering people so that they can successfully advocate for themselves. I see my role as providing people with the legal knowledge, tools and confidence to resolve their current and future |legal issues.”

Lucinda has worked in the legal sector for almost a decade.

After what she describes as “a magical childhood” in Westport, Lucinda went on to study law at the University of Canterbury (UC).

She is a fan of UC, describing the uni as having “great academic programmes”.

“It certainly provided me with a sound knowledge of the legal system and the practical application of the law,” she says.

Ultimately, it was her mindset and personality traits that made her a good fit for the legal profession.

“I am tenacious and determined so a job as a lawyer was always attractive,” she says.

SERVICES SECTOR

For the

love of nature Turning her back on a potential teaching career, Aimee Bachop followed her true passions to pursue massage therapy and natural skincare products.

A

imee Bachop’s path to becoming a massage therapist was a little different from most. After high school she went to university, then trained to be a secondary school teacher.

After deciding that teaching wasn’t for her, Aimee worked in a variety of different jobs – at Christchurch Hospital, the City Mission, at a health food shop and in a customer service role – before she followed her love of all things natural and healthy and obtained a Diploma of Massage Therapy at the Canterbury College of Natural Medicine.* Aimee has found her calling as a massage therapist. The 39-yearold works from her Christchurch home, offering deep tissue massage for work-related or sports injuries/ problems, thermal stone massage, Ayurvedic massage and relaxation massage. She has been massaging for 12 years.

“I love my job,” says Aimee.

“Everyone loves receiving a massage, so it’s a rare job where you don’t have to deal with grumpy, rude or negative people. I like being able to eliminate my clients’ tension and pain and being able to relax them.”

More recently she has been able to develop a complementary side business, selling her own range of plant-based skincare products.

“Until now, making my skincare products has been a hobby, so because I’m where I want to be with the massage, my goal is to focus more on the products and make them accessible to more people,” says Aimee.

“I often made creams and balms for myself, and once I became a sole parent I started making my Botanical Bliss range because I could no longer afford the organic products I had been buying.”

She now sells her range for a fraction of the price of the brands she had been using, making them accessible to everyone.

“I’ve always loved making natural creams and balms so it’s awesome doing it for a living now.”

Aimee’s love of nature began as a child. She recalls exploring beautiful gardens during her childhood in Lyttelton. Her family has also played an important role in Aimee’s path to pursuing her career in massage therapy and skin care. She credits her late aunt for supporting and encouraging her.

“Her memory inspires me every day,” says Aimee.

“I’ve always loved making natural creams and balms so it’s awesome doing it for a living now.”

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She believes she has inherited her flair for massage and natural health from her grandmother, who was from a family of healers who used massage and herbs in Tahiti and Rarotonga.

“While I studied natural health I enjoyed talking to her about her childhood collecting bark, plants and seeds, which would be made into remedies for people. She was the least judgemental person I’ve ever met. She loved and accepted everyone exactly as they were, so I try to be like that in my own life,” says Aimee.

“My kids are also a huge inspiration to me,” she says. “They are beautiful, kind wee souls and I feel blessed to be sharing my time with them.”

* The Canterbury College of Natural Medicine closed in 2010.

Visit www.naturopath.org.nz/ colleges for online and campus training courses available throughout New Zealand.

SERVICES SECTOR

Physio fix-it Treatment for his broken shoulder inspired Neil Barback to pursue physiotherapy for a career.

I

t wasn’t until Neil Barback received physiotherapy treatment for a hockey injury at high school that he considered physio as a possible career choice.

“I had considered a job in the medical field, but medicine seemed like too much hard work!

Physio appealed because it seemed to be hands-on and offer plenty of time with clients”.

Fast forward 15 years and Neil owns his own physiotherapy practice in Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty. It is a busy little practice. In any given day Neil and his staff will see people seeking treatment for everything from knee ligament repairs to neck pain. He also works alongside ACC to help people who have suffered injuries return to work.

Neil trained to be a physio at the University of Birmingham in his native England. Being dyslexic, some elements of the three-year degree were more challenging than others, but he passed with flying colours and has gone on to pursue further postgrad study.

Upon completing his degree, Neil worked at a busy hospital in Reading, England, where he got to experience many different types of physiotherapy: respiratory, stroke

“I had considered a job in the medical field, but medicine seemed like too much hard work! Physio appealed because it seemed to be hands-on and offer plenty of time with clients.”

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rehab, outpatient and intensive care. He quickly worked out that he enjoyed treating musculoskeletal injuries, but says the hospital rotation system gave him a good grounding in the various types of physiotherapy.

Neil moved to New Zealand in 2010 with his Kiwi wife and two young children. He hasn’t looked back since running his own practice.

“I like being my own boss,” says Neil. “I like having the flexibility to go and watch the kids’ school cross country or whatever. It took some time and effort to build up the practice to the point where I could take any time off, but it has been worth it.”

There aren’t too many downsides, according to Neil.

Neil makes an effort to keep on top of his professional learning and development by attending conferences and participating in PD sessions with other physios in the region.

He likes the diversity of the profession.

“I could be treating Aaron Cruden following his ACL repair, or helping an old lady maintain mobility so that she can continue to live in her own home,” says Neil.

SERVICES SECTOR

“It’s those feel-good moments that fire me up and make me want to continue finding ways to help people with improving their lives.”

Fitness is just the beginning Business owner and personal trainer Jason Whitelaw is passionate about helping people achieve their health, fitness and personal goals.

I

t’s comments from happy clients like “This has actually changed my life” that make Jason Whitelaw, co-owner of Beyond Fitness in Tauranga, certain that he’s in the right business.

“It’s those feel-good moments that fire me up and make me want to continue finding ways to help people with improving their lives,” says Jason.

The 29-year-old has been at the helm of Beyond Fitness with business partner Dave for two years.

Prior to this Jason spent years working in the personal development sector. After completing school in Christchurch, Jason studied outdoor recreation, which led him into a career in personal development where he assisted people with motivation, leadership, communication and other personal skills.

His role as a personal development coach took him all around the world; he has worked in the UK, Australia and in New Zealand with schools, teams and

workplaces to assist them with performance improvement.

In more recent years Jason and his fiancée decided to move up to the Bay of Plenty. Jason saw this as a good opportunity to expand his skillset into the health and fitness field and he studied with the Open Polytechnic to gain a Level 4 Certificate in Personal Training.

Jason is very hands-on with his business, running one-on-one personal training sessions and small group classes to help clients attain their health and fitness goals.

Outside of training clients he focuses on managing staff, marketing, writing blogs, and developing corporate wellness material.

The hardest part for Jason as a business owner is balancing the time he spends working ‘on’ the business with the time he spends ‘in’ it.

“With a lot of my time at work spent training clients, sometimes I feel it can take away from my ability to assist the team and develop the types of business systems that will support long-term growth. It’s a very fine line between trying to work 81

on the business while still servicing clients to keep the cash flow rolling in!”

Jason has his sights set on expanding the business further.

“Something I would like to focus more on at work is sharing healthy ideas with the masses. I have a background in presenting and coaching and I like sharing inspirational ideals with large groups of people. This is something we look at growing in the future at Beyond Fitness with the development of Corporate Wellness sessions delivered around the Bay of Plenty.”

It won’t be long before their goals take shape – since its inception Beyond Fitness has seen swift growth and continues to go from strength to strength. Jason’s enthusiasm for helping people to achieve their goals is infectious.

“Everyone has a birth-given right to be great,” he says, “A lot of people don’t realise this or have forgotten it somewhere along the way. I am passionate about helping people unlock that potential and ultimately become better human beings.”

SERVICES SECTOR

From farm to fashion A colourful and varied career path has seen Invercargill farm girl Kirsten Kilgour now working as a stylist in a trendy Gold Coast fashion store.

K

irsten Kilgour was tired of the long hours and weekend work that came with working in the corporate world.

Having always had a flair for fashion and a penchant for designing her own clothes, Kirsten decided to let her creative side run free and become a fashion stylist.

She had recently moved from Wellington to the Gold Coast and quite by chance saw an advertisement for a stylist in the shop window of Sheike. Her application was successful.

“Even though I had no retail experience I have the creative flair and motivation and that is how I got the job,” she says.

Sheike carries a broad range of clothing from size six to 16 as well as jewellery, handbags, belts, and fascinators. It also attracts a lot of international clientele as it is only based in Australia.

Ball, horse race and wedding seasons are the most popular times for the store. Back in Wellington, Kirsten used to design her own outfits and fascinators and enter into Fashion in the Field, so she is well-versed in what works and what doesn’t for these sorts of event.

She incorporates as many items as possible to help put together a look or outfit for a customer.

She enjoys the unique style and individuality that each person brings to the team. The clothing discounts are also a bonus, she adds.

“I am a real people person and just want to help people or show them their full potential or get them thinking outside the square,” she says.

This approach has served Kirsten well in a number of different vocations, as her career path has taken many twists and turns over the years. She has worked in the airline industry, qualified in law, worked as an IT project manager, a film producer and an entrepreneur.

A high-end fashion store on the Gold Coast is a long way from the farm in Invercargill, where she spent the first 12 years of her life.

Her parents demonstrated the importance of hard work.

“My father was a very strong mentor in my life and always taught us to be self-sufficient, independent and that the world was our oyster and we could do anything we put our minds to,” she says.

“I always say be open to opportunities and take the risk – even if you don’t know how to do it at the time, you can always learn. I also believe in journaling what you want to accomplish and constantly visualising the outcome and putting faith into the universe that it will happen.”

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“I always say be open to opportunities and take the risk – even if you don’t know how to do it at the time, you can always learn.”

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY services SECTOR

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES SECTOR

T

his is a large pathway that includes industries such as aged care, the defence forces, security, police, and local community - which are all essential for community wellbeing and safety.

This is an increasingly important pathway because New Zealand’s ageing population needs to be housed and cared for; there’s a constant demand for more police, corrections, and security officers; and the need for immigration, customs, and quarantine officers is also increasing as more people and goods (legal and illegal) move in and out of the country.

Social and community services are the lifeblood and heart of our society, and careers in these industries can be richly rewarding.

The types of job you’ll find in this sector include: ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Doctor Nurse Midwife Teacher Community worker Counsellor Ambulance officer Animal control officer

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▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪

Border protection officer Police officer Corrections officer Parking warden Social worker Soldier Taxi driver.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY services SECTOR

Switching on a world of sound

I

Audiologist Rachel Peddie says she loves those ‘wow’ moments when she helps people to hear again or for the first time.

t wasn’t until Rachel Peddie saw first-hand how much her grandmother benefitted from a hearing aid that she decided to pursue audiology.

“My Oma is profoundly deaf, and her communication was so much improved with the fitting of a hearing aid. With this in mind, I deemed this career a fantastic opportunity to help other families and persons with hearing impairment,” says Rachel.

Nearing the end of her Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Rachel decided she no longer wanted to work as a clinical psychologist – although she still wanted to work clinically and help people.

A friend who works as a speechlanguage pathologist told her about the master’s programme at the University of Canterbury and Rachel was sold.

The 26-year-old has now been an audiologist for three years. She does full diagnostic hearing assessments for people of all ages – “three to 103 years” – and tests for auditory processing disorders.

A large part of her job involves the fitting and fine-tuning of hearing devices such as hearing aids, remote microphone technology, assistive listening devices and accessories in order to help hearing-impaired people hear better.

It is her clients who motivate Rachel the most. The ability to help somebody improve their hearing and as a result, their quality of life, is what drives her.

“You can see a person transform from being withdrawn and socially isolated to somebody who can communicate with ease and confidence and just enjoy life.”

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“I love those ‘wow’ moments that you get from clients when you switch on a whole new world of sound that they had either forgotten about, or never heard before,” says Rachel. “You can see a person transform from being withdrawn and socially isolated to somebody who can communicate with ease and confidence and just enjoy life.”

“The worst bits are when a hearing loss is so severe that there is little that can be done to improve it, even with the latest and greatest in hearing aid technology. That is always hard. It is also difficult when the cost of hearing technology becomes a barrier to people getting help with their hearing.”

Rachel and her fiancé now live and work in Tauranga, but they grew up in Christchurch. While it was Rachel’s job that brought them to the Bay of Plenty from Christchurch, rather than the earthquakes, Rachel admits it is “nice to be on less shaky ground”.

Her fiancé is the person who influences Rachel most.

“He is so encouraging and positive, and inspires me to be the best person I can be. Every day, without fail, he will ask me the highlight of my workday. This reminds me daily why it is that I do what I do and keeps me motivated in my profession.”

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY services SECTOR

Not for the fainthearted Paramedic Haydn Drake says he values the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives when they are often at their most vulnerable.

A

bout the same time Haydn Drake started university some 17 years ago, he started volunteering for St John.

“I had a friend who had been volunteering for St John and it seemed to be a great way for me to learn valuable lifesaving skills while giving something of value back to the community. Around the same time I joined the New Zealand Army Territorials as a medic, as a way

of doing something challenging that was away from the lecture rooms and textbooks,” says Haydn.

His experience with St John and the New Zealand Army ignited an interest in outof-hospital care and a career path that the arts grad hadn’t considered previously.

Upon completing his BA in psychology and philosophy, Haydn spent a couple of years full-time with the Army to complete his medic training, before landing a job with the ambulance service in Auckland. His training initially involved doing the National Diploma in Ambulance Practice to become an emergency medical technician, and then an internal paramedic course – both provided

by St John. Haydn then went on to complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine) to become an intensive care paramedic. He now also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science.

Working as an intensive care paramedic is not for the fainthearted.

“I normally work on an ambulance with another officer, or occasionally single crew in a rapid response vehicle, responding to urgent or emergency 111 calls. I am sometimes required to support other crews of lower qualification levels that may have patients requiring additional medications or interventions that I am able to provide at my practice level.

“We carry a wide range of medications for pain relief and management of emergency problems such as seizures, respiratory and cardiac conditions, amongst other things. I am able to perform a wide range of skills from IV cannulation to chest decompression, cricothyrotomy, and rapid sequence intubation.”

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Haydn is also currently working as a clinical support officer within the Clinical Development team. This role sees him working to improve patient outcomes by providing mentoring, clinical coaching, advice, support and guidance to operational clinical members. The role also involves working on the clinical desk in the Clinical Control Centre to provide phone support to operational crews around the country and Clinical Control staff.

The 37-year old Aucklander loves his job.

“What I love about my job is being able to make a difference to people’s lives at a time that is often their worst moment, and when they are most vulnerable. This does not always mean performing heroic lifesaving measures that you often see on television, but sometimes just means giving advice, reassurance, or even just holding their hand.”

Haydn is most motivated by the thought that he is helping people.

“Whether it is improving their recovery from injury or illness, or helping someone to die peacefully and with dignity at the end of their life, I can’t think of anything more motivating than improving the wellbeing of others. I also enjoy the challenge of the unexpected, and never knowing what you will be sent to next. Even if the illness or type of injury is familiar, every patient and their family are different and unique.”

But there are hard times as well.

“Besides the shift work and irregular breaks, the hardest thing about my job is the moments I can’t change or influence. Sometimes the nature of a person’s injury or illness means there is very little that can be done, and it can be hard to look people in the eye and tell them that or break bad news to their loved ones. There are always certain patients or situations that stick with you, and you always remember.”

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY services SECTOR

Taking the lead in holistic healthcare

C

laire Roskruge took the road less travelled into aged care nursing.

“Looking for something to fill my days after a long bout of illness, I landed on the steps of Christchurch Academy and was put into an aged care course to ‘fill spaces’,” she recalls.

Her instructor saw something in Claire that she had yet to discover and persuaded her to pursue nursing.

“It was during my new graduate year on Ward 23 that I discovered my love for working with older adults within the acute hospital environment and began to understand the unique challenges faced by both the patients and staff involved in their care.”

Claire now works as a Community Gerontology Nurse Specialist for the Canterbury District Health Board’s Older Person’s Health Specialist Service.

It’s a busy and varied job.

“I am constantly faced with a diverse array of pathologies, much of which is just the tip of an iceberg

Claire Roskruge stumbled into aged care nursing almost by accident but now finds it a rewarding and challenging job.

of comorbidities. This is particularly true amongst the older patients who frequent our ward, who are also faced with a multitude of social, spiritual and economic barriers to recovery.”

As such, the nursing team has a close relationship with social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the medical teams to ensure that all aspects of their older clients’ health are approached in a holistic manner.

Claire says it can be a challenge for aged care nurses to keep their heads above water at times, especially in the face of a rapidly ageing population.

“Medical wards are renowned for being busy hives of activity and many of our nurses are struggling to keep up with the increasing demands placed on them. All too often we feel conflicted as we attempt to be ‘present’ with our patients whilst completing those ever-mounting tasks that are essential to their care,” she says.

After her new graduate year, she contemplated steering away 86

from medical nursing, until her interest was piqued when she stumbled across an email about the Gerontology Acceleration Programme. She applied and was accepted. The programme allowed her to work in a residential care facility and rehabilitation ward, whilst also completing a postgraduate paper in gerontology.

“This has given me a greater understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by our older community and society as a whole, and has spurred my desire to educate and lead nurses within the acute environment.”

The Gerontology Acceleration Programme helped to renew Claire’s enthusiasm and passion for her work and appreciation for life in general.

“I love being part of something that will hopefully result in a systematic and cultural change that one day will not only impact on my own patients’ care but will also contribute to a better future for following generations.”

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY services SECTOR

A passion for food Foodie Avril Grant works as head chef at Ryman Healthcare’s Charles Fleming Retirement Village in Waikanae.

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vril Grant’s foodie career path started out in delicatessens.

She got her “lucky break” when she landed a job with Ruth Pretty Catering and over the next 13 and a half years Ruth Pretty taught Avril everything she needed to know to be a chef.

The job as head chef at Ryman Healthcare’s Charles Fleming Retirement Village in Waikanae ticked all the boxes for Avril. It had predictable hours and its location meant that the Kapiti Coast girl didn’t need to travel to Wellington for work. The role also had enough to keep Avril challenged, something that was important to her.

“I started when the village was just being opened, so I began by setting up the kitchen and providing one meal a day, and now we provide more than 160 meals each day,” she says.

Avril starts her working day at 8am by preparing morning tea, then lunch, then dinner and finally ordering and prep for the next day, finishing about 5pm. Each day there is a base menu to work to, but Avril says they have scope to put a twist on it. She enjoys having the

opportunity to put her own spin on the meals she is preparing.

“While there are the set-piece meals to prepare each day, there are a lot of other challenges.

I have to prepare meals for residents with special clinical dietary requirements including diabetes, gluten free and those who require fortified foods. The challenge is to make meals to fit the dietary requirements, but also to provide residents with good variety.

“There are always extra events such as happy hours, cocktail parties and fine dining events to prepare for. Fine dining happens once a month and I prepare a special three-course meal for residents who dine in style.”

Avril says the best part of her job is interacting with the retirement village residents.

“I love going out and talking to the residents, and they always let me know what they think.”

She understands just how important food is to the residents.

“I am a foodie; I love food shows (Rick Stein is my idol!) and events such as ‘Wellington On A Plate’ are research for me. I love travelling and trying out new food.

I’ve been on holiday and already 87

I’ve got a couple of great new things I’d like to try out at fine dining,” she says.

With this, comes the challenge of being consistently excellent.

“I love the satisfaction of coming to work each day and having such a significant impact because food is a really important part of the day here. Residents really look forward to their meals so you can never have an off day. You have to be great every day.”

“I am a foodie; I love food shows (Rick Stein is my idol!) and events such as ‘Wellington On A Plate’ are research for me. I love travelling and trying out new food.”

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY services SECTOR

The call of the classroom More than a decade after graduating as a teacher, Taryn Woodham answered the call to teaching and hasn’t looked back.

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aryn Woodham graduated as a teacher more than 12 years ago, but life took her in other directions. It wasn’t until two years ago that she “came a full circle” and began working as a primary school teacher in Christchurch.

“I made the plunge to follow my dream of getting back into teaching when my marriage fell apart and I eventually found the strength to start looking after myself again.

It was something I needed rather than looking after everybody else, even though it involved moving countries back to New Zealand from Australia,” she said.

Taryn grew up in Christchurch, attending Christchurch Girls’ High School before going on to Teachers’ College.

Since reintroducing herself to teaching, she has embraced the modern classroom. She works in an innovative open learning environment teaching around 90 year 3 and 4 students with three other teachers and a teacher aide. The programme of learning is “obviously very literacy and

numeracy heavy” due to the demands of National Standards, and they incorporate plenty of collaborative and digital learning tools.

“What motivates me is changing teaching and learning to shape today’s children into 21st century citizens who are capable and have the skills to succeed,” says Taryn.

Her current passion is bringing the ‘Maker Movement’ to her school and creating innovators rather than consumers. She has her sights set on gaining her Masters in Applied Practice in collaborative and digital technologies. She is keen to continue her practice of te reo as well.

Taryn, aged 39, firmly believes it takes a village to raise a child. She describes her own childhood in Christchurch as “awesome” with loving parents and three younger sisters.

“My dad was always my mentor because he is such a driven, hard worker, yet charismatic on his down time. However as I have got older and have raised my own family, I find my mother’s maternal, calm, balanced way of life is now something I try to live up to.”

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“What motivates me is changing teaching and learning to shape today’s children into 21st century citizens who are capable and have the skills to succeed.”

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