The essential guide to life after school
$15.00
mag JET
2016
Feed the world Protect the future Live well The world is at a crossroads. A rapidly growing global population is putting increasing strain on food production and security, environmental management and sustainability, and redefining business and lifestyle. We need to find solutions for these pressing problems; our future depends on it. As New Zealand’s specialist land-based university, Lincoln University has a long tradition in offering qualifications addressing these very issues. As part of our commitment to ensure we remain as real-world relevant as ever, we’ve launched a whole new range of bachelor degree qualifications. Whether it’s agricultural production, science, business, environmental management, technology, tourism, sport, design or property, no other university specialises in meeting the demands, challenges, opportunities and considerations of the land-based industries, both in New Zealand and the wider world.
The world needs Lincoln. The world needs you. www.lincoln.ac.nz | 0800 10 60 10
ed’s letter
Letter from the editor
W
hen I was planning what I was going to do when I left school, I’m pretty sure I went through all five stages of grief in the space of four months. I started off in denial – I’d say around the middle of year 13 – doing the “Pfft, we aren’t leaving for ages!” and “Nah, nah, I’m actually all good, I have months.” I blocked out words like ‘job’ and ‘career’ and hid from the facts. I had no idea what I was going to do, and I didn’t want to face it. Denial can’t go on forever, of course. When the reality-masking effects began to wear off, I was faced with the year’s darkest day dawning on me… well, in a few more months, but I wasn’t ready! I had still done NO preparation for my life after school, and I was furious – well and truly in the anger phase. It didn’t last long – I mean, I didn’t have long. All I wanted to do was flip a very silly sign to anyone willing to have an attempt at rushing me into anything I wasn’t ready for. Then I started bargaining. I needed to regain some control after being so vulnerable. Secretly I’d make deals with higher powers in an attempt to postpone the harsh reality of leaving school… (“OK, God, I promise I will get an E for the next assignment...”). By now, I was feeling depressed. My biggest fear was to become like the factionless from Divergent: not belonging anywhere in life. While everyone else was moving on to be awesome, they weren’t going to remember me. Things were becoming dire. But finally, after applying for every course and university possible, I reached acceptance, which came like a bolt from the blue when I realised that time wasn’t my enemy, after all. Those in years 12 and 13 have a lifetime to decide what they want to be! While I had to learn that the hard way, the truth is, your choice of career has no deadline attached. Editing JETmag has helped me to realise this and I hope reading this magazine will do the same for you too. Good luck to everyone in their final years of school. Savour it, enjoy it and look forward to the world after it: it is most definitely your oyster.
Miah Kennett
JETmag
1
contents
Life
Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 Page 10 Page 12 Page 37 Page 43 Page 44 Page 47 Page 49 Page 64 Page 66 Page 88
Life after school: what are your options? What’s your personality type? Match your personality type to a career Getting the best out of StudyLink Mental health: getting the lowdown on depression and anxiety Say no to bullying: the word from thelowdown.org.nz All abroad in Argentina Living the dream What’s the app? Brain power Getting your licence Meals for an empty stomach and an empty wallet The parents’ guide to the empty nest
vox pops
Page 26 “What was your first job?” Page 48 “How did you choose your ncea subjects?” Page 68 “Who inspires you?” Page 78 “How did you choose what you were going to do after school?” 2
jobs
Page 14 Future jobs! Page 22 Starting out: CV basics Page 23 Getting you noticed: CV building 201 Page 24 Pursuit of leisure Page 28 Finding a job – the basics Page 38 How job interviews are like The X Factor auditions Page 39 Fast facts about tax Page 40 World’s dodgiest job interview questions Page 41 7 tips for a brilliant career, from LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman Page 42 Jobs in jeopardy: what’s on the endangered list?
Education Page 56 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 70 Page 89
New Zealand’s tertiary institutions: what’s the difference? Scholarships are for everyone Where to study in New Zealand Where to study in Australia How to avoid nine subject choice mistakes Are you down with uni lingo? Time management tips Missed out? It’s not the end of the world
contents
sector profiles
Construction and infrastructure sector Page 51 An eye for design Page 52 Crazy about cars Page 53 As safe as houses Page 54 Jumping in at the deep end Page 55 Building a future
Services sector
Manufacturing and technology sector Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95
Page 73 Cooking up a storm Page 74 Have scissors, will travel Page 75 Protecting our borders Page 76 Marketing key to real estate success Page 77 Saving lives in the water Page 79 Thought about a career in the New Zealand Defence Force?
Bored? Try your hand at coding Born to bake Sewn with soul App-solutely fascinating Sparky in training
Social and community services sector
Primary sector CREATIVE SECTOR Page 32 Lights, camera, action! Page 33 Changing the face of makeup Page 34 A teller of tales Page 35 Picture perfect Page 36 Finding fun in fashion
Page 17 Innovation and smarts – farming in the 21st century Page 18 Food for thought Page 19 Where the wild things are Page 20 A world of opportunity in winemaking Page 21 Landscaping reaps rewards
Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85
Shaping young minds A shoulder to lean on Working in the line of fire A passion for books Keeping our streets safe
JETmag
2016
Contributors
Georgia Garden-Bachop Holly Smith
www.facebook.com/jetmagnz
Milly Seymour
Phillip Leupepe-Nickel
www.facebook.com/jetmagnz
NZME. Educational Media, Level 2, NZME. House, 190 Taranaki Street, Wellington 6141, New Zealand PO Box 200, Wellington 6140 Phone: 04 471 1600 Š 2015. 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. 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. Publisher: Bronwen Wilkins
JETmag
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LIFE
Life after what are your school: options? Congratulations! You’re about to finish school, and every adult in
your life will have advised you on what your next steps should be. There’s an expectation that you’ll go on to further study, but that’s not necessarily the case. There is a world of possibilities out there. Here are a few of them.
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. 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 suggestions to help you narrow your search:
What is your personality type?
What are your hobbies? This is how a lot of people decide what they want to study after secondary 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 maybe you should consider studying as an architect or draftsperson? For some, the passion is even more personal. If you’ve lost a family member to cancer, 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 rather than the subject you think – or your parents or whānau think – you should do. There is an article on page 26 about discovering (or more accurately, cultivating) your passion.
The Myers-Briggs personality test on page 6 will guide you to study areas that are harmonious 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 handy, quick tool to focus you on relevant subject areas.
Scour the web What subjects have you most enjoyed at school?
The very best way to find information about study and specifics of courses is to go directly to the websites of the various universities, ITPs (polytechnics), wānanga, and private training establishments. Check out the article on page 14 and the maps on page 60 (New Zealand) and page 61 (Australia) for comprehensive lists of all the tertiary institutions in New Zealand and universities in Australia. Remember, Kiwis are treated as domestic students in Australia, so you have more study options than you think!
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 Māori, 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 work or social work? 4
Use Government resources Foremost among these is the Careers New Zealand courses database (www.careers.govt.nz/educationand-training). If you’re a lazy Googler, this website is a good place to start. You’ll find general information on hundreds of different study areas. Our 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 for that.
Will my course lead to a job? Another consideration to study is your job prospects. Sure, a psychology or visual arts degree might sound awesome, but the job prospects after graduating might not be as high as 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 painless. It also pays to think about what parts of the country employ the most people in different sectors. 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. When deciding on a qualification, you should look at how well recognised it is in the workforce; ask your teachers, parents, parents’ friends, whānau, and careers counsellors which institutions and courses are well regarded in the area in which you want to study.
LIFE
Unpaid work 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, The gap year and it’s a great experience you can add to your CV. You don’t need to dive If interested in the not-for-profit sector, you could also use the time to get into some straight into a decision volunteer work. Volunteering makes up a surprisingly huge sector in New Zealand, and once you leave school. help is always needed. You can find out how organisations handle getting the job done on The time-honoured a shoestring budget, and feel proud that you’re helping parts of society that desperately big OE (overseas need it. experience) can show you the world in a way Get a job you only imagined in school. Take your pick Decided that tertiary study isn’t for you? No sweat, there are still plenty of options. You can where you go – the use your time to figure out if study might be an option further down the track. If you’ve been working a weekend or part-time job while at secondary school, ask if they world is your oyster, can bump your hours up once exams have finished. This doesn’t have to be a permanent and pearls of adventure move, but it helps to keep earning money while looking for a job that’s more suited to the lie in Europe, Africa, career path you want. Asia, and the Americas. But what if you have no idea what you want to do? Don’t stress. You are at the beginning However, every country of the path to your future – not many people are certain of what they want to do at this point. has different visa Sometimes, to get an idea of your future, it helps to look back. The same advice for study requirements, and for options applies to career options. What made you feel happiest or what do you feel came to almost every country, you most naturally? Think of your favourite school subjects, your hobbies, even the sports you you will need a visa play (yes, being a professional athlete is a legitimate career choice – you just need amazing to enter. Research talent, perseverance, and a bit of luck … although it’s a dream many miss out on). these on your chosen From there, look into what companies have these jobs, and hunt around online doing country’s government research. website. It might pay to contact a place that looks interesting to see if you can come in to have a The glory of the look around for the day, or set up a time to meet with someone who works there to talk about gap year is that you what is required in their role. can get a working
holiday visa in some countries, which allows you freedom to earn while you experience living abroad. Great first-up jobs for gap year Kiwis include working as an au pair (nanny), summer camp work in USA, or being a ski or snowboard instructor in Canada or Europe. Casual work in hospitality (pubs, cafes, and restaurants) is a staple gap year income. The reason it’s called a gap year is because 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 for their big OE for 12 months.
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JETmag
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LIFE
what’s
your personality Type?
1 At a party do you a b
Interact with many, including strangers Interact with a few, known to you
2 Are you more a B
Realistic than speculative Speculative than realistic
3 Is it worse to a b
Have your “head in the clouds” 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 b
To deadlines Just “whenever”
7 Do you tend to choose a b
Rather carefully Somewhat impulsively
8 At parties do you a b
Stay late, with increasing energy Leave early, with decreased energy
9 Are you more attracted to a b
Sensible people Imaginative people
10 Are you more interested in a b
What is actual 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
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15 In your social groups, do you a b
Keep abreast of others’ happenings Get behind on the news
16 In doing ordinary things, are you more likely to a b
Do it the usual way 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 b
Logical judgments Value judgments
20 Do you want things a b
Settled and decided Unsettled and undecided
21 Would you say you are more a Serious and determined b Easy-going
22 In phoning, do you a b
Rarely question that it will all be said Rehearse what you’ll say
23 Facts a b
“Speak for themselves” Illustrate principles
24 Are visionaries a b
Somewhat annoying Rather fascinating
25 Are you more often a b
A cool-headed person A warm-hearted person
26 Is it worse to be a Unjust b Merciless
27 Should one usually let events occur a b
By careful selection and choice Randomly and by chance
28 Do you feel better about a b
Having purchased Having the option to buy
29 In company do you a b
Initiate conversation Wait to be approached
30 Common sense is a b
Rarely questionable Frequently questionable
31 Children often do not a b
Make themselves useful enough Exercise their fantasy enough
32 In making decisions, do you feel more comfortable with a Standards b Feelings
33 Are you more a b
Firm than gentle Gentle than firm
34 Which is more admirable a b
The ability to organise and be methodical 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 b
Stimulate and energise you Tax your reserves
37 Are you more frequently a b
A practical sort of person A fanciful sort of person
38 Are you more likely to a b
See how others are useful See how others see
39 Which is more satisfying a b
To discuss an issue thoroughly To arrive at agreement on an issue
40 Which rules you more a b
Your head Your heart
41 Are you more comfortable with work that is a Contracted b Done on a casual basis
42 Do you tend to look for a b
The orderly Whatever turns up
LIFE 43 Do you prefer
57 When the phone rings, do you
68 Which is the greater fault
a b
a b
a b
Many friends with brief contact A few friends with more lengthy contact
Hasten to get to it first Hope someone else will answer
Being indiscriminate Being critical
44 Do you go more by
58 Do you prize more in yourself
69 Do you prefer A
a Facts b Principles
a b
a b
45 Are you more interested in
59 Are you drawn more to
70 Do you tend to be more
a b
a Fundamentals b Overtones
a b
Production and distribution Design and research
A strong sense of reality A vivid imagination
46 Which is more of a compliment
60 Which seems the greater error
a b
a b
“There is a very logical person.” “There is a very sentimental person.”
61 Do you see yourself as basically
a Unwavering b Devoted
a Hard-headed b Soft-hearted
48 Do you more often prefer the
62 Which situation appeals to you more
a b
a b
The structured and scheduled The unstructured and unscheduled
49 Are you more comfortable
63 Are you a person that is more
a b
a b
After a decision Before a decision
Routinised than whimsical Whimsical than routinised
50 Do you
64 Are you more inclined to be
a b
a b
Speak easily and at length with strangers Find little to say to strangers
51 Are you more likely to trust your a Experience b Hunch
52 Do you feel a b
More practical than ingenious More ingenious than practical
53 Which person is more to be complimented – one of a Clear reason b Strong feeling
Deliberate than spontaneous Spontaneous than deliberate
To be too passionate To be too objective
47 Do you value in yourself more that you are
Final and unalterable statement Tentative and preliminary statement
Planned event Unplanned event
Easy to approach Somewhat reserved
65 In writing, do you prefer a b
The more literal The more figurative
66 Is it harder for you to a b
Identify with others Utilise others
67 Which do you wish more for yourself a Clarity of reason b Strength of compassion
54 Are you inclined more to be a Fair-minded b Sympathetic
55 Is it preferable mostly to a b
Make sure things are arranged Just let things happen
56 In relationships, should most things be a Re-negotiable b Random and circumstantial
Copy your answers to this answer key carefully
Col 1 A
Col 2
B
A
Col 3
B
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Col 4
B
A
Col 5
B
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Col 6
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Count the number of checks in each of the A and B columns, and total at the bottom.
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Copy the totals for Column 2 to the spaces below the totals for Column 3. Do the same for Columns 4 and 6.
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Copy to
Add totals downwards to calculate your totals.
Copy to
A
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J
P
Copy to
Circle the letters with this highest score. This is your type. See over for your personality type.
E
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JETmag
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LIFE
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. 8
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.
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:
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.
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.
INTJ – The scientists:
ENFP – The inspirers:
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.
INFP – The idealists:
ENTJ – The executives:
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,
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.
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 Service. These overviews will help you better understand what it’s like to work, study, or train in these sectors.
3D Animation & Visual Effects Motion Graphics
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Start in the industry before you start in the industry. Media Design School is New Zealand’s most awarded tertiary institute for digital and creative technology qualifications
Creative Advertising
Graphic Design Interactive
For more information, visit our stand at the Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington Careers Expo!
www.mediadesignschool.com
Getting the best out of
StudyLink
StudyLink is an essential resource for any student about to embark on their tertiary course for the first time. So what exactly can StudyLink do for you? Heaps! If 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: yy at least 18 years old (some 16–17-year-olds can also get it) yy under 65 on the start date of your course (for study starting on or after 1 January 2015) yy studying full-time yy studying an approved course yy 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!
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: yy are studying an approved course which is: yy full-time; or yy part-time and 32 weeks or longer; or yy part-time and less than 32 weeks with an EFTS value of 0.25 or more. yy are a New Zealand citizen or meet the residence requirements yy sign a contract with the Government yy 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 2 EFTS worth of study each year (see box for what this means), and you can generally only get a Student Loan for 7 EFTS of study in your lifetime, so it pays to choose your course wisely.
10
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 … Tessa-Rose Midgley is studying a Diploma in Broadcasting and Radio Journalism at Whitireia New Zealand. “I didn’t use the Sussed tool but I really should have because financially I’m not in a good place.” Good advice, Tessa-Rose! Fortunately, once you’ve worked out your budget through Sussed, it explains all your options, including Student Allowance or Student Loan, scholarships, part-time work, and receiving support from parents or whānau. Get yourself Sussed, check it out at www. studylink. govt.nz
This article is sponsored by Studylink: www.studylink.govt.nz
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 2015 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! “I applied in April because my course started in July. I moved from Auckland to Wellington, so I had to have everything sorted before I left,” says Tessa-Rose. Doon Hanrahan is studying social work at uni, and she cautions you to apply for a Student Loan or Allowance with plenty of time to spare before your course begins. “I applied in October and it took till February to get everything sorted, around the time uni started.” This is one important reason for having a December application deadline. The hardworking people at StudyLink need time to process your application (along with the other 180,000 or so people applying for a Loan or Allowance at the same time). Raven David is studying a Bachelor of Creative Writing at Whitireia New Zealand, and she has plenty of experience applying for StudyLink assistance. “I’ve studied for a while, so StudyLink has all my personal information and I’ve already gone through the process of confirming my identity. When I first applied in 2007, I sent my application in November without waiting for my results. It takes a while to process a first loan application, so even if I failed with my NCEA results, it would be okay because I could always stop my application.”
Getting their financial information can be hard, but it has to be done every year.” Tessa-Rose Midgley says she did “everything online” during her most recent application. “Everyone’s experience is different, but I had a really positive experience. I did everything online, and if I got stuck, I gave StudyLink a call, which was probably only once in the entire time I dealt with them. The online application process is really simple to use.” Tessa says it’s important to be patient when applying a Student Loan or Student Allowance for the first time. “If you’re going to use StudyLink, you have to go in with an open mind and realise they are dealing with every student in the country. Especially around the pressure times – like when you have a whole new year of uni students starting. Have a bit of patience with them.”
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The application process You can apply for all your student financial support on StudyLink’s website: www.studylink.govt.nz Having gone through the online application process, Raven David’s advice is to be prepared. “Nowadays, you can get an online account and start the process, and then, of course, StudyLink will notify you what pieces of information you need to send in – birth certificate, bank account statement, and so forth.” Raven says the ongoing relationship with StudyLink gets easier, but there are still documents needed each year you receive a Student Loan or Allowance. “After your first year, every year gets easier because you don’t have to do identification and account authentication. However, providing parents’ information can be difficult, especially if your parents live overseas, or own their own business.
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 they 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 course-related 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.
How you can contact StudyLink: Phone: 0800 88 99 00 Website: www.studylink.govt.nz
JETmag
11
LIFE
Mental health:
getting the lowdown
During major milestones in your life, such as leaving school, it’s very common to feel anxious or depressed. Here’s what to look for and how to cope.
DEPRESSION FACT: Around one in seven young New Zealanders (aged 16-24 years) will experience serious depression during the next 12 months. Girls are more likely to have a depressive episode than boys.
Symptoms of depression A person may be depressed if they have felt sad, down or miserable most of the time for more than two weeks OR lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities AND they’ve experienced symptoms in at least two of the following categories:
You’re probably wondering what on earth depression and anxiety might have to do with your career choices. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health issues among teens and adults in New Zealand, so it’s much better to be educated than ignorant, right? While reading up for this article, I also took the time to educate myself, and thanks to thelowdown.org.nz, I reckon I’m now a pro. yy drug and alcohol use yy physical illness or long-term health problems yy having a family member with depression yy being pregnant or after having a child, especially if they have any of the risk factors above.
Behaviours
Getting help
Not going out anymore, not getting things done (like work or study) and withdrawing from close family and friends. Being grumpy and irritable, relying on alcohol and sedatives, no longer doing things they enjoyed. Crying a lot and unable to concentrate.
Self-help strategies
Feelings Overwhelmed, sad, empty, restless, frustrated, no confidence, indecisive, worthless, miserable.
Physical Tired all the time, sick and run down, headaches and muscle pains, churning gut, sleep problems, loss or change of appetite, significant weight change (losing or gaining weight).
What makes a person more at risk of depression? There’s no clear-cut reason why a person may be depressed. And sometimes it comes out of the blue. But some of the factors that can increase the risk are: yy family conflict or violence yy bullying or abuse yy the loss of someone close yy stress, including loneliness, relationship problems yy unemployment 12
Most people recover from depression and enjoy life again. But delaying treatments may delay recovery – so it’s important to take that first step.
If you have mild or moderate depression, there are some simple things you can try. A regular routine of physical exercise has been found to be the most helpful. Getting fresh air and sunlight every day is good for improving sleep problems as well. Other natural therapies that help you to relax include yoga, meditation/breathing exercises, massage therapy and acupuncture. There are some good self-help books available on coping with depression. Check out your library or bookstore, or see what people have recommended on The Lowdown message board. Remember to avoid alcohol or recreational drugs, as these can make depression worse.
Talking therapies In general, psychological and family therapies (counselling) are the main treatment for depression in children and young people. Psychological treatments are also known as ‘talking therapies’. They work by changing negative patterns of thinking or sorting out relationship problems.
Psychological treatments can help to speed your recovery, prevent depression from recurring, and identify ways to manage the illness and stay well. Different kinds of talking therapies are provided by counsellors (sometimes also called therapists), psychologists, psychiatrists and other health professionals. Two therapies that are known to work for depression are: yy Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – a programme of counselling that helps to change negative thought patterns. It works on the basis that the way we think affects the way we feel. yy Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – this has a focus on improving relationships and how we relate to other people.
Medications People who are depressed often feel physically unwell. Antidepressant drug treatments can relieve the physical symptoms of depression. If you have depression, your doctor may think it is useful to start you on antidepressant medication. This may happen if your depression is severe, or other treatments haven’t worked, or are not available in your area. Your doctor will provide you with information about the medicine, how to take it, and possible side effects. Drug treatments for depression are not addictive, but like any drug they can have side-effects (such as nausea and headaches). Antidepressant medications can only be prescribed by a GP or other medical doctor.
Things to know about treatment for depression yy Depression is a very common medical condition
LIFE
on DEPRESSION and ANXIETY
ANXIETY FACT: Anxiety disorders are common. One in four young New Zealanders will experience some kind of anxiety disorder by the time they are 24 years old.
yy Effective treatments are available, and it’s important to get help as soon as possible yy Counselling therapies are the recommended ‘first-line’ of treatment for children and young people yy In some cases a doctor may think an antidepressant is also necessary. Your doctor should provide you (and your family) with clear information about the pros and cons of taking antidepressants, and the steps to take in a crisis situation or emergency yy Regular check-ups are important yy With the right treatment, the vast majority of young people make a full recovery.
How do I manage my depression? Start by writing down the things you always do (get up, have a shower, eat breakfast, get to school/uni/work etc). Then try to fill in the gaps. Try each day to put into your plan one thing that you enjoy, and one that makes you feel like you’ve achieved something. During early morning and/or late afternoon, build in some exercise (such as going for a walk or playing sports with friends). Physical activity can help prevent depression. If you find it hard to get up in the morning, it’s a good to plan to walk to school or university with someone, or meet them for breakfast over the weekend. Try to stick to your plan, but don’t get stressed if you don’t get around to some things.
Everyone gets anxious from time to time – it’s a normal response to situations like sitting an exam, starting a new job, or performing under pressure. This kind of anxiety is just a normal part of life. But for some people, the feelings of anxiety can be a lot more extreme and become what’s known as an anxiety disorder. Normal, healthy anxiety is usually in response to an event in your life. It usually lasts a few hours or a few days at most, and it doesn’t affect your health or other parts of your life. In fact a bit of stress or anxiety can be a good thing, because it helps us perform at our best. Too much anxiety, however, can be totally overwhelming. Anxiety disorder is different because the feelings are quite intense and can last for weeks, months or more. They can negatively affect your thoughts, behaviour, and general health and leave you feeling distressed and not enjoying life. It can impact on other areas of your life – like how you’re doing at school or work, or your relationships with friends and family. People with anxiety disorders often become worried or upset about their problem. This may lead to them becoming depressed as well.
Types of anxiety disorders There are a number of anxiety disorders, but the most common are: yy Generalised Anxiety Disorder: feeling anxious on most days over a long period of time – six months or more. yy Phobia: feeling very fearful about a particular object or situation e.g. attending social events, driving over bridges, or travelling on planes. yy Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): having ongoing intrusive thoughts and fears which cause anxiety (obsessions), leading to carrying out behaviours or rituals (compulsions). An example is a fear of germs that leads to constant washing of hands and clothes. yy Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: this can occur any time after a person has experienced a traumatic event, such as an assault, or serious accident. The symptoms can include difficulty in relaxing, bad dreams or flashbacks, and the avoidance of anything related to the event. yy Panic Disorder: having panic attacks, which are intense feelings of anxiety and the types of physical symptoms you would have if in great danger. During a panic attack,
you can feel like you’ve lost control of your body and emotions. You may feel sick, dizzy and short of breath. Panic attacks can be managed and beaten, with help.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders Symptoms can vary considerably, but generally are experienced in one or more of the following areas:
Behaviours Avoiding socialising or going out, finding ways to reduce anxiety (e.g having someone with you all the time), and avoiding eye contact with others. Using alcohol or drugs to calm down.
Feelings Confused, anxious, tense, constantly nervous, panicky, terrified, on edge.
Physical Blushing, trembling, heart racing, numbness, tingling, nausea, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, dizziness.
How do I manage my anxiety? The good news is, anxiety disorders can be managed and overcome. It’s important to recognise anxiety problems and treat them as soon as possible. This can avoid a lifetime of battling with anxiety and maybe depression. Most people need to seek professional help – either from a GP, or a counsellor or psychologist. Some forms of “talking therapy”, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), are very effective for some people. For most people, talking therapy is the first choice in treating anxiety disorders, because it helps people change their thought patterns and the way they react to certain situations. This can also prevent further problems. It can also be helpful to learn some relaxation techniques.
JETmag
13
JOBS
Future jobs! For decades, science fiction has been promising us personal jet packs, flying cars, and teleportation booths. While these cool things have yet to happen, it’s still likely that in the future you could work in a job that hasn’t yet been invented. JETmag has looked into a crystal ball and predicts the types of work you could be doing in 20 years’ time. Hint: advanced technology and silver spandex may be in your future. Pat Cody, career development team leader at Careers New Zealand, reckons the best way to prepare for jobs that don’t yet exist is to have certain skills or ’competencies’. He says three of the most useful competencies are: greater breadth and depth of skill, being a global citizen, the ability to assimilate information quickly (including problem solving and research skills). If this sums you up, then you’re prepared for anything a job-that-doesn’t-yet-exist can throw at you. Here are some possibilities:
Nano-medics – the medical problems most people have can be traced to a single cell or a small group of them. Health professionals capable of working on the nano-level – in designing diagnostics systems, remedies, and monitoring solutions – will be in high demand.
Urban agriculturalists – why ship food all the way around the world when it can be grown next door. Next generation produce-growing operations will be located underground, often below the grocery stores, where the produce will be sold directly to customers.
3D printing engineers – classes in 3D printing are already being introduced into high schools and the demand for printer-produced products will skyrocket. The trend will be for these worker-less workshops to enter virtually every field of manufacturing, stemming the tide of outsourcing, at the same time, driving the need for competent technicians and engineers to design and maintain the next wave of this technology.
Crowd-funding specialist – this expert will provide advice on how to promote and attain funds for a project through crowd-funding on websites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo.
Bot lobbyist – this specialist will be paid to
create phony social media accounts that help promote a client’s business or other marketing needs.
Tree-jackers – plant and tree alteration specialists who manipulate growth patterns, create grow-to-fit wood products, colour-changing leaves, and personalised fruit. Plant psychologists – an entire profession dedicated to undoing the damage caused by the tree-jackers. Amnesia surgeons – doctors who are
skilled in removing bad memories or destructive behaviour (see the film Total Recall for how this could work).
Future currency trader – as Bitcoin and other virtual currencies continue to gain traction, a future currency trader will specialise in the investment opportunities that will abound in this new market. Meme agent – you don’t have to be a celebrity
to be a celebrity anymore, especially if your star is hitched to a viral meme on the internet. A meme agent will represent and advocate for the latest sensation.
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Augmented reality architects – much like the paint we put on houses and the flavourings we add to food, the future will seem boring if our reality hasn’t been augmented in some way.
Avatar designers – next
generation avatars will become indistinguishable from humans on a twodimensional screen. However, it is only a matter of time before they emerge from the computer and appear as visual beings, walking around among us. This profession will design and personalise next-gen avatars.
Octogenarian service providers – as
the population continues to age, we will have record numbers of people living into their 80s, 90s, and 100s. This mushrooming group of active oldsters will provide a demand for goods and services currently not being addressed in today’s market place.
Extinction revivalists – people who revive extinct animals (like Jurassic Park but with moas).
This article is sponsored by Student job search: www.sjs.co.nz
Getting the best out of
Student Job Search So you’re starting to think about your future after high school? There is a lot to think about isn’t there! What to study at University/Polytech? Should you be moving out of home? What are all of your friends doing? If you’re thinking of enrolling in tertiary study (University/ Polytech) when you finish high school, depending on your financial situation you may need to find a job to support yourself. This is where we can help! Here at Student Job Search (SJS), we specialise in helping tertiary students find jobs. We list new jobs daily which range from one-off gardening jobs to permanent part time study related jobs, we’re sure to have something suited to you!
How to get started:
To start your job hunt, register on our website www.sjs.co.nz. You will be able to register and use the website as long as you are enrolled at a registered New Zealand Tertiary Provider, and you’re within four months of starting your studies.
Having a Student Loan
As a tertiary student it’s easy to not think about the financial impact of studying – you get your student loan and then forget about it for the time being. The benefit of working while studying means you borrow less money to fund yourself during the year which will ultimately pay off in the long run. Did you know that as of 30 June 2014 the average loan balance was $20,000? Say this ends ups being your loan balance at the end of your studies, it will take you approximately 8 years to re-pay your loan. Something to think about right! We think the faster you can get started paying back your loan, the better off you will be financially when you finish studying.*Statistics courtesy of Education Counts http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0018/161064/Student-Loan-Scheme-Annual-Report-2014. pdf
Nothing Beats Experience
Gaining experience in the workforce while you study can be the difference between landing that perfect job or not once you graduate. Having a part time job in your chosen industry will show future employers that you’re not only committed and interested, but that you have also gained relevant skills and experience which will give you an advantage over those who haven’t. Matthew Kiernander is a perfect example of a student who used SJS to his benefit. Matthew is a third year marketing student at the University of Auckland, and for him, the opportunity that he was given through Student Job Search has paved the way for a successful career in the technology industry.
“On my job hunt I saw many job advertisements with requirements for technologies I’d never even heard of, let alone understood. With Student Job Search the job advertisements were suited to my level of understanding. I took one web development paper at University and thanks to Student Job Search, I succeeded in finding a web development role within weeks of finishing the paper. Now I have a professional technical role on my CV that not only is helping me fund my weekends, but allowing for me to build a portfolio. My time as a web developer has seen my portfolio of coding based projects grow tenfold, and it is something I can proudly display in future job applications.” If you aren’t 100% sure about what direction your future will take, any employment experience to broaden your CV is extremely important when it comes to standing out as an applicant for a role. Many employers who use Student Job Search say they aren’t necessarily looking for particular skills or attributes in potential employees; instead they are looking for those basic employment skills. Those skills can be as simple as turning up on time, being presentable, willing to learn on the job, and being a motivated and proactive employee.
No work experience?
Being a high school student, you may not have had work experience yet. Don’t fret! We have many high school students that ask us how they can get a job through SJS without having any experience. There are a number of ways you can help yourself. Have you ever babysat children, volunteered in the community, or had a leadership role at school? All of these types of experience can show your first employer that you are responsible, mature, and ready to take on a job. Make sure you include these types of experience on your CV at the end of your high school years! For now, enjoy the many options you have in front of you. It’s an exciting time! However we do urge you to think about gaining experience by securing yourself one of the great jobs on the SJS website once you begin your studies. Still not convinced? Check out these Testimonials!
How you can contact SJS: Phone: 0800757562 Email: student@sjs.co.nz Website: www.sjs.co.nz Facebook: www.facebook.com/studentjobsearchnz Instagram: studentjobsearch Twitter: @sjsnewzealand
JETmag
15
SECTOR PROFILE
primary sector Want 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.
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The primary sector is always changing as 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 industry alone.
Jobs in this sector include: yy Beekeeper (apiarist) yy Farmer yy Fisherman yy Forestry worker yy Shearer yy Aquaculture diver yy Zoologist yy Food technologist yy Marine scientist yy Horticulturalist yy Winemaker yy Landscaper.
SECTOR PROFILE
Innovation and smarts
– farming in the 21st century
Far from being “just a job”, farming is now more about investigating new techniques and enterprises to grow the business than it’s ever been before.
Above: Ben Todhunter says farming calls for some real skills. Below: Cleardale, a 1,460-hectare, midCanterbury station, runs a mix of sheep and cattle, crops and dairy.
A
re you honest? Are you reliable? Do you get things done? Then farming could be the thing for you. Ben Todhunter, owner of Cleardale, a 1,460-hectare, midCanterbury station believes that these traits are the prerequisites for keeping a farm running successfully. And while that may well be true, managing a mixed sheep and cattle, crops and dairy-based farm also comes with many challenges. Ben explains: “Farming, now, calls for some real skills; it’s quite a skilled business to run properly. It takes a while to learn that craft so you need to be patient, but also you need to see the opportunities.” He himself earned an agricultural commerce degree at Lincoln University before doing a master’s in business administration at University College Dublin. In addition to performing the daily tasks that come with the job, including constant vigilance around upgrading or maintaining farm infrastructure, managing staff, talking to clients and keeping on top of the paperwork in the office, Ben is a recognised pioneer in the farming industry. Through his work in genetics, in collaboration with seven other farms across New Zealand and Australia, Ben aims to “…breed a fine wool sheep that has crossbreed performance, so it’s got high reproduction growth rates and good carcass attributes as well as good wool.” This means breeding a sheep with resistance to footrot, parasites and fly strike. “We’re trying to bring the genetics together to accomplish that through selective breeding,” he says.
Power to the people If that isn’t enough, Ben launched a hydroelectric power station development sparked by an idea to try and fund the intake infrastructure and piping for his irrigation development. “The power station is owned by MainPower. They effectively capture the water for me and direct it to the areas for irrigation and they get hydroelectricity. It works well for them and it works well for us.” Ben’s involvement with outside organisations is a key part of his wellknown
farming profile. His roles as a member of the Molesworth Steering Committee, director of the New Zealand Merino Company and chairman of the Lincoln University Foundation, are just some of the positions he currently holds. “He is not afraid to investigate new techniques and related businesses to grow the enterprise,” says Jeanette McLennan, owner of Alford Forest Station. “His solid education, off-farm travel and networking also help him to contribute to the agricultural industry at a higher level.” While Ben’s son, William, jokes that his day-to-day work involves “10 minutes of hard work, then smoko,” it is obvious from all the accolades Ben receives that this is not the case. Clearly, agriculture is his passion. “This is one area where New Zealand has real competence and real natural advantage and that shouldn’t be underestimated,” he says.
The sky’s the limit And the future of farming is looking pretty positive too. Already many exciting developments are imminent, including the use of drones for monitoring livestock and crops, the ability to monitor and measure new genetics, as well as precision monitoring of fertiliser and spray distribution on the farm. All of these developments are pretty amazing, says Ben, and show a lot of promise. “The application of farming technology is continuous and offers opportunity for improvement the whole time.” Ben recommends that anyone wanting to pursue a farming career finds out what other people have done to see where the opportunities are. “There have always been opportunities for people in agriculture with drive and vision and determination. There are lots of stories of people who have been able to grow some really good businesses in their lifetime.” Evidently Ben’s story is one of them.
is one area where “realThisNewcompetence Zealand has and
real natural advantage and that shouldn’t be underestimated.” JETmag
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SECTOR PROFILE
Food for thought The limited career options for girls back in the day – nursing, teaching or secretarial – were definitely not an option for Cathy McArdle, food technologist and owner of McFoodies.
W
orking in a blood bank in the school holidays sparked her love of science, Cathy recalls. “In high school, they talked about girls being able to do anything – I don’t remember wanting anything else but science.” When the opportunity came to spend one school day a week at the Universal College of Learning (UCOL) in Palmerston North, Cathy leapt at the chance. A year later, having completed stage 1 of a New Zealand Certificate in Science, she obtained a job with Fonterra where they paid for her to continue her studies. However, after meeting some food technologists who worked across the road, Cathy realised she couldn’t progress much further without a full degree. After working and studying parttime for six years at Massey University, she finally achieved her dream of becoming a food technologist. “I liked the idea of food technology because it’s something that people deal with every day. Everyone has to eat food and it’s fascinating because it’s always changing.” That was in 1996. Since then she has had several interesting roles, including working with Watties on the production line and travelling to London to work in a potato chip factory and become a quality technologist for Cerebos Greggs. Now, 19 years on, Cathy runs her own company, McFoodies, which has been in business since 2000 and acts as an agency to contract out food technologists. That’s not to say she’s sitting back and letting the work come to her, however. “I now do a lot of labelling work. Everything in the food retail area has to have certain things on them so I do the nutrition
information, allergen declarations, and ingredients listings.” It’s not as simple as it sounds. “There are a lot of rules to follow. Despite the common misconception that many dangerous ingredients are in our food, everything is thoroughly checked for safety. If they [the ingredients] were dangerous, they wouldn’t be there in the first place.” Auditing is another important part of her business. “I go into factories for manufacturers and have a look at their systems to make sure that if they said they’re going to be doing something, they’re doing it as they said they would, and also that they have techniques in place that are suitable.” Clearly, food technology offers many different career pathways. “It can lead you into all sorts of different jobs,” says Cathy. “The technology is always changing and it’s also international.” However, students who are not working in the industry while they’re studying can’t expect to get work straight after finishing their degrees, she says. “You definitely need to have an industry-related job in the holidays… work in as many areas as you can so that you can see what it’s like.” The job search struggle is only a temporary issue, however, and the CareersNZ website rates employment opportunities as high, due to a shortage of skilled people in food technology. “The further you get into your career, the easier it is to get jobs because you’re gaining more and more experience,” explains Cathy. “It’s a really fantastic career to get involved with and there are constant opportunities that you can take along the way.“
I liked the idea of food “technology because it’s something that people
deal with every day. Everyone has to eat food and it’s fascinating because it’s always changing.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Where the wild things are
W
Keeping a hissing cheetah at bay with a broom and having your truck attacked by hungry lions may seem like one big nightmare to some people, but to Toby Johnson, it’s all part of his dream job.
ith an architect for a dad, it was unsurprising that Toby’s career began in engineering, where he managed several million-dollar building projects. However, constantly thinking “how did I end up here?” led to a “major rethink” and resulted in Toby redirecting his focus to the study of zoology, majoring in marine biology, at The University of Auckland. Nowadays, his career path has taken a slightly different tack. “There’s a certificate in animal management (captive, wild animals), which is run by Unitec in Auckland – when it comes to exotic species, that is the qualification to have,” explains Toby. “Within our native species, we have some of the weirdest animals in the world and that requires a lot of theoretical understanding. A degree path is much better for that.” Toby believes study is essential to get a foothold in the industry, as it’s very competitive. “The best way to get into it is actually volunteering at a zoo or something similar while you’re studying. That way you can gain some experience and the staff can get to know and trust you. It’s like a very extended job interview.” Looking back on his inspirations, Toby remembers a time when he was younger and windsurfing with a friend near Auckland. “There was a hammerhead shark beached in there, just about dead and it was enormous. But we defended the carcass against trophy hunters who wanted to come down and slice the fins, cut out the jaw and take all the bits away and it just made me realise how much I actually cared about wildlife.” In answer to those who are scathing about keeping animals in captivity, Toby says that breeding programmes and conservation efforts have prevented extinction across many different species.
And, he says, the animals are actually quite happy with their lot. “The animals are completely oblivious to humans because they don’t register us as a predator. They just ignore us and accept us as part of the landscape … as long as you’re not going into part of their enclosure. Handling the animals from a young age means less stress for us and a whole lot less stress for them.” A slight detour in his career, where he became a teacher at Riccarton High School in Christchurch for four years, meant that when the role as education manager for Orana Wildlife Park came up, Toby saw it as being made for him. “It was beautiful because it was a combination of all the reasons I got into teaching in the first place, along with all the animal opportunities that I’d wanted in following that degree… and I’ve never looked back.” That was 11 years ago. Now, cleaning enclosures, preparing food, taking records, feeding the animals and giving public presentations, which was all part of Toby’s zookeeping role, has given way to delivering formal education programmes to student groups visiting Orana Wildlife Park, amongst many other duties. “My role also includes covering all the signs that go into the exhibit, the messages we deliver for conservation, the keepers’ presentations, publications that we develop here… it’s a very broad role.” This position has meant that Toby’s focus has changed from marine life to working mainly with native species. “We use our exotic species to lure the public in and then we educate them about our natives,” he says. The natives are not his only passion though. “The gibbons are my favourite at the moment. I’ve done a lot of work documenting them and it’s so rewarding when a family behaves as it should in the wild. They are one example where they have become so endangered that any births in the breeding programme become internationally significant. I love when we get babies!”
Travel is a great aspect of the job too. “I’ve visited most of the Australian zoos for training, animal transfers, exchanging knowledge and conferences… there’s good interaction between the zoos.” Although Toby’s travel hasn’t extended much further than Australia, New Zealand’s closest neighbour offers a wealth of diverse and unique species – a bonanza for any animal enthusiast. Of course, with any job there is also a downside. “Being bitten, being pooed on, being weed on, and especially when we lose an animal – that’s really tough. They don’t become pets, but we do become really, really fond of them.” The loss of Harold the giraffe in 2012 was one of these times. “It was very sad for us all,” says Toby. “But I couldn’t be happier here. I’ve found where I belong and I don’t intend leaving any time soon.” And who would complain, when you’re playing such a vital part in the great big circle of life and loving every minute of it?
“getThewayintobesttoit
is actually volunteering at a zoo or something similar while you’re studying.”
JETmag
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SECTOR PROFILE
A world of opportunity
in winemaking
V
From early morning until late at night, in all weathers and in all seasons, winemaking is all go.
ic Tutton never saw herself in the wine industry. Now she owns and manages one of New Zealand’s multiple award winning wine companies. Owned by the family partnership Tutton Sienko and Hill, the labels Waipara West and The Boneline are two of New Zealand’s
success stories. As a teenager, Vic grew up around horses and saw herself becoming a vet. After obtaining a master’s in business administration, however, she moved into arts management. It wasn’t until she and her brother, a wine exporter, bought an old sheep farm together that the opportunity for winemaking came up. A winemaking course at Lincoln University helped her to convert the farm into a vineyard. “The usual path [to becoming a winemaker] these days would be to do a polytechnic course in Marlborough or Gisborne,” she says, “or the various degree and post-grad programmes in viticulture and oenology that Lincoln University offers.” Working in vineyards (known as ‘working vintages’) in the holidays and then travelling the world after study to follow the various harvest seasons are good ways to get into the industry. “It’s great fun!” says Vic. “There’s lots of travelling and meeting other people and getting experience.” However, because the industry is so competitive with a tight domestic and international market, study is essential, she advises. “Any wine company’s main goal is to make really good grapes and good wine in the most efficient way possible… a lot of that is having good, experienced, and knowledgeable staff.” Sean Houghton, assistant winemaker for Waipara West, says he has been provided with travel opportunities to “pretty much any part of the
world that grows grapes”. After 10 years in the job, Sean still loves it and gets great satisfaction from producing a good wine. “It’s the sum of the year’s work. You can look at the wine and where and how it was made and then make changes for the year ahead… you’re engaged in a process of improvement.” Vic says typical winemaking duties include being heavily involved with vineyard staff and keeping an eye on the fruit through the growing season to make decisions about when to harvest. Moving around big hoses and barrels can also be quite physically demanding and, as Vic says, requires “some pretty hard grunt”. “You can’t be a prima donna in winemaking, you have to be really on to it,” she says. That means mentally as well – keeping precise records, studying market trends, supervising production then refining the wine through until bottling requires more than just muscle strength. Having learnt from launching straight into her own wine company, Vic advises, “Go and work first. Go and make your mistakes at other people’s places. Don’t do it to your own business. It works out a lot better for you.” And who would argue with that when it means being paid while travelling the world? Although Waipara West and The Boneline each have a significant market internationally, Vic stresses the importance of attending local events such as the Lyttelton Farmers’ Market every Saturday. “It feels really ethically important to come to a farmers’ market… I’m really proud that we can make and grow and sell our own product locally… I love the locals!” Judging by the mass of regulars who popped into the market stall to buy wine or say a simple hello, the locals love her too.
You can’t be a prima donna in “ winemaking, you have to be really on to it.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Landscaping reaps rewards There’s a common misconception out there that if you’re a landscaper then you’re ‘just a labourer’. But landscaping can take you places.
W
hether you take the contracting road, the foreman or managerial track, or the design and architect avenue, landscaping offers many different pathways. “You need to be hard working, responsible and creative. You need to be able to think outside the square,” explains Nic Muir, the 2014 Young Landscaper of the Year. For Nic, being a builder had been on the cards, but after discovering the creativity, variation and opportunities involved in landscaping, he was hooked. After considering the length of some landscaping and architectural degrees, Nic completed a oneyear course at Otago Polytechnic in landscape construction and design. Although some of his co-workers didn’t pursue any tertiary training, Nic claims that if you want to go further in the industry then study is definitely beneficial. Having that extra tertiary study advantage, he found that gaining employment (with Artworks Landscape in Christchurch) was not difficult. Eleven years later, he now holds the national title of 2014 Landscaper of the Year, which, he says modestly, gave him “a bit of recognition”. This accolade involved a challenging series of theory and practical activities. “The big thing is because I won that, I went on to go to Young Horticulturist of the Year, which was kind of like a grand final,” says Nic. “I went up against the winners of some other titles, like the winner of the viticulture award.” Overall, Nic placed third and was happy with his achievement. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) projects there will be an employment growth rate in landscaping of about 4.8 per cent per year until 2018, while the number of online job vacancies for architects and landscape architects has already increased by 50.5 per cent from June
2013 to June 2014. It’s obvious that the number of opportunities for landscapers is increasing. It’s also clear that the Canterbury rebuild has provided more job opportunities Nic Muir, 2014 Young Landscaper of the Year. for architects and landscape architects. Many of Nic’s current projects are earthquake related and can take anywhere between one week and four months, This is not to say that landscaping is only depending on the size and difficulty of the for the use and satisfaction of the customer. job. Increasing building activity in places like “Seeing the end result of all the hard work and Auckland has also contributed to the boom. knowing that you’ve either done it yourself or In addition to this, the Ministry for the had a hand in doing it is pretty rewarding,” Environment is focusing on environmental explains Nic. One of his more gratifying concerns, resulting in an increased demand moments includes looking at a massive water for sustainably planned buildings and open feature that cascaded 10 metres into various spaces. This will consequently drive demand ponds and knowing that he’d created it. for the services of landscapers and landscape For those contemplating a profession in architects. Ultimately, the public’s desire for landscaping, Nic is full of encouragement. “If practical and beautiful spaces creates an you like working outside, having a varied job ongoing need for good site planning and and you don’t mind a bit of manual labour at landscape design. times, then it’s an awesome career.”
If you like working outside, “ having a varied job and you don’t mind a bit of manual labour at times, then it’s an awesome career.”
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JOBS
Starting out:
CV basics
Wondering how to go about putting your first CV together? While many templates are available on the web, this example gives you a good idea of the basics. If you lack job experience, focus on the skills you may have gained through study and volunteer work, as Rob has done.
Rob Smith
Personal Details:
123 Main Road Hornby CHRISTCHURCH Tel: (03) 123 4567 Email: rob.smith@email.com
Skills and abilities:
1.
Communication As a volunteer at a primary school in Japan, I taught children to speak English. I coordinated communication between the school and its affiliate in New Zealand (I am also fluent in Japanese). 2. Organisation In my holiday position as a law firm assistant, organisation was one of my key strengths, along with punctuality and efficiency. 3. Multi-tasking During both my university study and my work experience to date, I have been required to work on various tasks simultaneously, while still meeting the clear deadlines of each project.
Work Experience:
1.
Law Firm Assistant – 2010 My duties included drawing up cases for the associates, spreadsheeting in Microsoft Excel, making notes, answering the phone, and writing confidential reports.
2.
Checkout Operator at The Supermarket – 2007 to 2009 My duties included customer service, operating a checkout, and stacking shelves and sorting incoming stock.
Volunteer Experience
English language teacher in Hiroshima, Japan – 2013
Education
1. 2.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Auckland – 2012 NCEA Level 3, Auckland High School (Endorsed Merit) – 2009
Referees:
1. 2.
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Pierre Montreux – Director, The Law Firm Tel: (03) 123 4567 or Mobile: 123 456 789. Sam White – Manager, The Supermarket Tel: (03) 123 4567
JOBS
Getting you noticed: CV building 201 So, you know the basics of putting together a CV. But the real value of a great CV is in making you stand out from a very crowded crowd. Here’s what you can do to ramp up the quality and get your CV to the top of the pile. The Social Side In this day and age, it is very possible 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. Put your blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google+ address on your CV in your ’contact details’ area as another form of contact 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! 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. 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. It’s all about establishing you as someone with an opinion in the sector where you want to make your mark. If your Facebook or Instagram has a lot of social chatter/pics and isn’t professionally-geared, don’t bother including that stuff on your CV.
CV glamour is in! JETmag and other guides can suggest what you put in your CV, but there’s not a lot of guidance around on what your
CV should look like. Instead of fudging it and making up something in Word, look for online design studios that create breathtakingly beautiful CV 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 to an employer’s attention. Check out the awesome CVs/resumes from http://loftresumes.com/collections/resumes-without-photos to see what is available: – there are plenty of other websites that offer similar services. If you or a mate is 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!
Instead of fudging “something it and making up in Word,
look for online design studios that create breathtakingly beautiful CV templates.”
Take a leap towards your future!
Use our interactive tools to help you make learning and work decisions for your future. Explore job options Career Quest Prepare for work CV Builder See what you could earn Compare Study Options
careers.govt.nz/guide Or call 0800 222 733 to talk to a career expert.
JETmag
23
JOBS
Pursuit of
Leisure
Do you write a blog, take photos, do a bit of modelling, or dabble with programming code? Well, then you’re running a side hustle. The side hustle is a part-time project or business that’s in addition to your ’day job’ (if you have one).
If you’re aspiring to a day job, having another interest can boost your chances of success. Sometimes, your side hustle can become your fulltime job. This is how many young entrepreneurs got their start. The advantages to having a hobby include building or honing jobrelevant skills, giving an outlet to your passion (see page 26 about discovering and cultivating your passion), and in many cases, generating a bit of sweet cash. Stuck for ideas on what you can do for a side hustle? 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 gonna 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 hair 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.
Editing or proof reading Brilliant at English or te reo Māori and not sure how to apply your wordslinging skills? Become a freelance proof reader or editor. All you need is a website or word-of-mouth to catch new clients. No one likes typos, so go out there and make the world a better place.
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 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 opportunities for voice actors. If you have a wide vocal range, over time, you might ride this skill into radio, TV, or movie work.
Photography 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.
DJing Scratching the digital vinyl isn’t too hard – especially if you have an ear for good music and up-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 broadcasting their opinions. Be sure to find a niche!
your side “yourSometimes, hustle can become full-time job. This is how many young entrepreneurs got their start.”
24
RECRUITING NOW WANTED:
Young people willing to start a dangerous relationship. You must be ready to surrender control, suffer devastating health effects, and burn your own hard earned cash for the privilege. Become a replacement for one of the 5000 New Zealanders killed by tobacco every year.
VOX POPS
“WHAT was your
FIRST job?” MATT TWORT - 18
Maddy Tew - 18 A waitress for Wilson Jones Catering. I really enjoyed it as I was working with a group of really great people, so it made me look forward to going to work. This was a good first job experience as it helped me acquire different skills that will now help me in different lines of work in the future.
McDonald’s. This was a huge help in me beginning my road to independence, as I no longer had to leech off my parents for money. It felt great to be able to have my own stream of money coming in so I was very grateful for the job.
Zofia Arthur - 18 Babysitting for my neighbours, who are adorable, so I really enjoyed the job, which made doing it really easy. This made me realise that any jobs that I get in the future, I need to enjoy so that it doesn’t really feel like I’m working, but just doing something that I actually like doing.
PHILLIP LAUPEPE-NICKEL - 18 Michael Finlay - 18 A labourer at L.T. McGuinness. The hours were long and hard so I think it has set me up well for other jobs in the future, as I now have a better work ethic than I thought.
26
A one-off labouring job that I picked up from Student Job Search. I think it was good for me because it showed me how good it was to be making your own money and inspired me to get a job that I can continue on with while I study.
Ella Brown - 18 Catering, which was very casual but something easy to get my work ethic started. I don’t think I will continue along this line of work as it doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m studying, and I want to make sure I am doing everything I can to support my degree and future career.
VOX POPS
James Moore - 18 Hell’s Pizza, as a delivery driver. I got this job just to earn some pocket money for my last year of school. It was just part-time so I still had lots of time to study and play sports, which is the kind of flexible time frame I wish to have while I am studying at university as well.
Grace Robinson - 18
Phoebe Slessor - 18 Days Bay café. It was a good first job experience, but I don’t like working in hospitality very much so it was great when I moved to my next job. It was good though; I got to see that this line of work is not for me.
The Pohara General Store, a summer job, so I was sorted as I headed off to uni. This set me up for an easy year, as I was going to university with money in the bank. Getting a job over the summer period before university is something that I will definitely make sure my younger siblings do as well.
Declan Bartlett - 18 Tennis coaching, which was both fun and challenging as I had to control a big group of kids. But it was rewarding when you saw the progress that the kids made. I did enjoy this job, although I don’t think I would get another coaching one as it was time consuming and was quite exhausting!
Hugo Humphries - 18 Tennis coaching, which I did for neighbours and family friends because I enjoy the sport so much. It was great because I was doing what I love for a job, so it was ideal, as I didn’t mind going to work.
Maddi Robb - 18
Finn RogersBrander - 18 Part-time jobs like construction work and some data entry stuff over summer for some family friends we knew. It was really laid back but it got me into the idea of working for my own money as it felt good to be able to support myself for a while.
Waitressing for a catering company when I was 15. I found this job suited me as it was constantly interacting with people, which I enjoy as I’m quite a people person. It was also good because it wasn’t fulltime but just small jobs here and there, which meant I wasn’t too busy but I still had money coming in.
Sam Pead - 18
McDonald’s, which doesn’t sound ideal, compared with some of the jobs that my friends had, but it put money in my pocket so I wasn’t too bothered.
JETmag
27
JOBS
Finding a job – the basics Your whānau won’t support you when you leave school, so whether it’s a part-time job to help while you study or a full-time job as you begin to work your way up the career ladder, here are some tips for landing that vital first job. How young is too young? While you can potentially leave school if you’re under 16, you’ll 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 adviser or year dean. Otherwise, your best option is to attain some NCEA credits.
The first steps 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. 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. See pages 22 and 23 for more about CVs. 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). Before you contact anyone, make sure your social media presence is sorted. This means ensuring you 28
remove nude selfies, photos of you passed out in the street, trolling rants, or any other randomness that your potential new employers might find on the nose.
Work preparation checklist Life as an adult requires paperwork! To ease your transition into the workforce, you’ll need to get these things sorted: yy An IRD number (tax number) yy A driver’s licence yy A bank account yy A birth certificate yy Interview and work clothes yy Transport (a way to get to and from work, such as a car or bus card). Your parents, guardians, or whānau should be able to help you with most of these things. 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 6, jump back there now and give it a crack. There are a heap of career suggestions based on your personality type on page 8. 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 five-minute quiz is the key to unlocking them. Go on, check it out, we can wait. If you’re still in doubt, there’s some advice on page 24 about discovering your passion. Think about all the stuff that makes you tick. There has to be a job that will be a good match for you.
The nitty gritty – applying for work Now you’re all set, here we go! The most common method for looking for work these days is online. Here are the most common websites/apps:
Careers New Zealand A very comprehensive government resource, with advice covering all situations for school leavers. Of
JOBS
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. 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. Want to find work as a retail shop assistant in New Plymouth? Look under ‘Retail & Consumer Products’, then ‘Retail Assistants’ in Taranaki. Sorted! 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. www.trademe.co.nz
about all the stuff “hasthatThink makes you tick. There to be a job that will be a good match for you.”
OneShift After a casual or part-time job or a one-off shift? Then OneShift is the place to find it. This Australianbased online resource has just launched in New Zealand. www. oneshift.co.nz
Other methods yy Talk to family, friends and neighbours – word of mouth is a very powerful way to find a job! yy Check listings in local newspapers yy Sign up to job vacancy websites yy Contact employers directly (known as ‘cold calling’) yy Sign up with a recruitment company – there is no charge for this.
Good jobs to try for straight out of school 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). Hospitality – has a lot of high turnover jobs (where job openings frequently appear), in jobs such as a waiter, kitchen hand, and bar work (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 McDonalds 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 Defence Force accepts school leavers for many different types of jobs (not just those involving guns). To enter the Army and 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 (some roles require at least 12 credits at Level 2). See page 38 for inspiring people working in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Creativity Changes Everything Discover creativity through art Find creative responses to tough problems (including your own)
Enrol in our NZQA-approved programmes in art and creativity Study on-site or from home
Check out our website today | tlc.ac.nz
School
of
Creativity
and
Art
0800 278 769 JETmag
29
SECTOR PROFILE
CREATIVE SECTOR The 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 the constraints (and stability) of a full-time job may be few.
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 these types of work.
Careers in this sector include: yy Actor yy Model yy Fashion designer yy Singer yy Stunt person yy Graphic designer yy Architect yy Animator yy Website developer yy Make-up artist yy Advertising salesperson yy Photographer yy Copywriter yy Journalist.
Get the Whitecliffe Edge
路 路 路 路
FINE ARTS FASHION DESIGN GRAPHIC DESIGN PHOTO MEDIA
www.whitecliffe.ac.nz
Victoria Cullington
Whitecliffe graduates are articulate, innovative creative thinkers with broad skills and a high level of industry standard technical proficiency. They create powerful and compelling visual expressions of their ideas, are leaders in the creative industries, and shape contemporary culture.
JETmag
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SECTOR PROFILE
Lights, camera, action! It takes persistence, passion, patience and a whole lot of determination to succeed in the acting world. But the rewards can be well worth it, says Kiwi actor Matt Chamberlain.
K
iwi actor and father of three Matt Chamberlain knows what it’s like to battle his way to the top, having being told when he was younger that there was no way he could be an actor. “There really wasn’t any work in New Zealand at that stage, so acting as a career just wasn’t a great option.” It wasn’t until Matt played a part in a high school play that he discovered his passion for acting. Coming from a farming background, however, it seemed that gaining an agricultural commerce degree at Lincoln University was the right thing to do. “Looking back, however,” he says, “I don’t know how much I’ve ever used it.” In the back of Matt’s mind, giving acting a crack was always on the cards. After finishing university, he applied for drama school, but was declined because of a lack of experience. After
32
another year of acting in amateur productions around Christchurch he tried again, and was given an interview. At that stage, however, Matt says he “couldn’t face going back to another institution”, and instead travelled the world for more than two years. Eventually, with his wanderlust satisfied, a third audition for drama school proved successful. Matt’s glad he persisted. “Drama school enabled me to work with a lot of people in the industry. It is a leg in the door and you learn a lot.” The first day out of drama school, Matt earned himself a place on Gaylene Preston’s Bread and Roses as heckler number two. “I had one line and I thought, ‘I’ve got a job! First day out!’” From there though, it was an uphill battle. “For several months I ran around auditioning for anything I could – I was like a headless chook.” After a while he decided to sit down and think about what it was that he was really passionate about. “That was the best thing I did,” he says. “I realised that I was passionate about telling New Zealand stories. And that calmed me down a bit because it gave me a focus.” One of his earlier jobs included being a stand-in on a feature film. “I stood there for the lead actor while they set up the lights. You’re pretty much the lowest form of life on set as far as status goes.” Nonetheless, getting to know what happened on set and what roles people had was very valuable to him, he says.
Focusing on the “inspires stuff that really you can
keep you going and can really pay off in the end.” Nowadays, working on films such as In my Father’s Den (2004), Black Sheep (2006), Under the Mountain (2009), King Kong (2005) and Avatar (2009) have become a reality for Matt. “It was amazing to work on a really big budget production,” he says, referring to his work in King Kong and Avatar. Many New Zealanders know Matt best for his role as Murray Cooper on prime-time soap opera Shortland Street for the past four years. He landed the gig through meeting the series’ casting agent at one of his film premieres. Filming Monday to Friday, Matt says only 25 per cent of his time is actually spent in front of the camera, while the remaining 75 per cent is spent rehearsing, learning lines and reading scripts. Though at the start the work was fasterpaced than he was used to, he’s accustomed to it now and says that the stress reduces with time. Stress aside, there are plenty of laughs to be had in the world of acting. One of Matt’s funnier memories involves working on the set of The Lost Children (2006), when he found himself accidentally doubling up as his own stuntman. Tied up and perched on a fleeing horse facing backwards, he fell off, fortunately only sustaining “a few bumps and bruises”. Happily, he reports, the same thing happened to his stunt double when he gave it a try. Matt is impressed with the huge upsurge in the number of New Zealand theatrical and television productions in recent years, providing so many more opportunities for actors today. “It just goes to show,” he says, “that focusing on the stuff that really inspires you can keep you going and can really pay off in the end.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Changing the face of makeup Meeting celebrities, travelling often, working with people and making them feel good sounds like the dream job. For makeup artist Kristen Stewart, it’s exactly that.
A
s a young girl growing up on a farm in Hororata, Kristen Stewart wanted to become a magician. But after struggling with dyslexia, she became interested in photography as a career option. “I always loved photography. I got my first camera when I was about eight,” she says. It wasn’t until she had studied photography at tertiary level that Kristen realised makeup artists even existed. “I thought that was a way cooler job than being a photographer.” Luckily for Kristen, her photography work had taken her to Exposure Model Management, enabling her to practise makeup artistry. Being self-taught and knowing the basics weren’t enough for Kristen though and she soon found herself heading to London to study at the Glauca Rossi School of Make Up. This was where she learned the importance of proper training, telling her mum on the phone after her first day how much she had learned and asking: “What the hell have I been doing?” The school opened up an entirely new world for Kristen and she consequently landed some of the most amazing jobs in the United Kingdom and Europe. Working on a Nokia commercial at Pinewood Studios in London is one of her favourite memories. Kristen recalls: “There were over 100 extras… it was like a big fantasy. It was amazing.” Other exciting jobs included working on the Good Charlotte music video, along with many other famous people. Working as a freelance makeup artist, the travel opportunities were unlimited as well. “You can pack up your kit and travel the world and it’s something you can do anywhere,” says Kristen. Nowadays, she runs her own makeup artistry school, the Kristen Stewart School of Make Up, which opened in 2008. She runs several different courses, including full-time and part-time diplomas. “Starting up the school was a big, exciting leap,” says Kristen. “My days now consist of coming in and getting everyone ready, then beginning the day with teaching them something new and watching them create.” The Kristen Stewart School of Make Up is unique in its field as it is the only school in Australasia that focuses on fashion photographic makeup, rather than special effects or stage makeup, so her students, she says, leave with a much higher level of specialist knowledge. Kristen emphasises that to consider becoming a makeup artist, you must not only have a good eye for colour and be creative, but you must also be personable. “You need to be able to speak to clients and have the confidence to walk in to a job and know what you’re doing.” While there’s also the expectation to always appear glamorous and perfectly made up, Kristen says she doesn’t fit that mould. “I’ve never worn makeup,” she shrugs, “but I do know about the artistry involved.” Being in a dynamic and constantly changing industry means there’s always something new to learn. Twenty years since she began, Kristen still trains with M.A.C Cosmetics from time to time and she loves it.
She is adamant she wouldn’t have got where she is today without the strong women in her life, including her mum (Dame Pieter Stewart, founder and managing director of New Zealand Fashion Week), who inspired her to be who she wanted to be. From these women she learned one of the most important lessons: “You just have to have faith in yourself.”
Interested in a career in Theatre, Film or TV? At Toi Whakaari you’ll gain the skills and build the relationships you need to further your career in the performing arts! DESIGN DIRECTING ACTING ARTS MANAGEMENT COSTUME CONSTRUCTION ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY FIND OUT MORE AT:
www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz
JETmag
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SECTOR PROFILE
A teller of tales Who’d have thought you could make a living out of telling stories? Film director Gerard Smyth shares some insights into how it’s done.
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ward-winning New Zealand film director Gerard Smyth has produced and directed more than 60 documentaries in his career – and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. As a young child, Gerard owned a Super 8 movie camera and though the technology was limited he remembers making small clips with it. “We couldn’t edit them,” he explains. “You chose the shot and you couldn’t do two takes, otherwise the film had two takes of the same thing.” By the age of 19, Gerard had progressed to working as a cameraman with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (which became Television New Zealand in 1975), filming dramas, ballet, operas, science programmes and rock ‘n’roll shows. “It was the beginnings of TV in Christchurch in those days,” he says. That was back in 1969 but even now Gerard still works with Sky TV, filming items such as the rugby. Needless to say though, Gerard’s passion lies in his documentaries. He has won a string of awards for them, including the CEVMA’s Best Documentary award for Sonja Talking in 1994, a highly commended in the Media Peace Awards for Nikki Butler – Out on a Limb in 2004, winner of the New Zealand Television
34
Awards’ Best Director Documentary for When a City Falls in 2012, which also achieved Best on the Box People’s Choice award for best documentary. In addition, Gerard has been nominated for a long list of other awards in directing, cinematography and genre. Gerard remains modest about his work, however, claiming he hates the idea of a ‘film industry’. “The word ‘industry’ talks to me about the end result being to make a profit and I don’t see myself as making a profit, as much as telling stories.” He still chooses to see his films as an essential service, rather than an industry, and who’s to stop him? We all love a good story. To the people of Canterbury, When a City Falls is not just a good story, it’s their story. “It was very personal,” says Gerard. “I was filming a lot of people I knew. It was a painful time.” Gerard’s approach was to make the film more like a home movie by being both the interviewer and the cameraman. “I’m a wee bit like the one-man band with a cymbal on your head and playing the drums with your feet,” he laughs. Gerard works in this way to ensure the reality of the moment is upheld and in some instances, he himself is in the film. “At one point, near the beginning, I walked up the road and saw the Christchurch Basilica and I burst into tears because I’d been an altar boy there.” (The Basilica was destroyed in the February 2011 earthquake). Nonetheless, Gerard says it was a great film to make because it was such a good story to be a part of. In 2014 he released his latest film, Aunty and the Star People, which follows the story of a New Zealand woman changing the lives of many Indian children. In his filmmaking career,
Gerard has met thousands of people from all over the world. And that, he says, is one of the main perks of the job. Filming in Africa, India, Europe, America, Ireland, the Pacific Islands and Australia has not only allowed him
The word “ ‘industry’ talks to me about the
end result being to make a profit and I don’t see myself as making a profit, as much as telling stories.” to travel extensively, but also exposed him to some incredible experiences, including famine in Africa and the aftermath of a massive earthquake in India. A lot lies behind the scenes the filmgoer eventually sees. The three-part process of planning, filming and editing before a film is ready for release takes “a very long time”, says Gerard. At the moment, he is working on a film that has so far taken seven years to make and is planning a separate film that has taken him five years. “The longer one can film, the better.” However, more footage does result in a much longer editing process. When a City Falls took 10 months to edit because I had so much footage,” he explains. Gerard doesn’t edit his films though. He sees the importance of having a separate editor as “the audience’s advocate”, who can provide fresh eyes for him. This is also his favorite process. “When you’re marrying it all together it becomes more than just a sum of the parts – it becomes a magical film.” If there was one message Gerard would give to any aspiring director, Gerard says it is this: “Hopefully you’d choose this career because that’s where you think you can make the world a better place.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Picture perfect Award-winning photographer Richard Wood of Hawke’s Bay lives a thrilling and adventurous life – a whirlwind life of travelling, seeing exotic locations and meeting fascinating people – and all the while taking the most amazing photographs.
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t hasn’t always been this way, of course. By the time he left school, Richard still had no idea what he wanted to do. He says it was his “warped mind” and “inspiration from the world” that led him in the direction of graphic design and later, photography. “I worked for an agency first as a graphic designer. When they needed a photographer, I did that. Then I stepped out on my own,” he says. Since then he’s never looked back. Being based in Hawke’s Bay means Richard has to do it all: portrait, commercial, wedding, fashion and “whatever comes this way” photography occupies most of his time, though his creative shoots are where his heart lies. “I love my creative work – it keeps me sane,” he says, the inference being that in order to do this type of work you have to be slightly in sane. “For a photo to be great,” he explains, “it needs to take the viewer to a place where they
can’t go, or where they’ve never been. It needs to tell a story and evoke emotion … it should tug heartstrings.” However, when he is assessing a photo, he also looks at the craft of the photo and the post-production that has gone into it. “It can be a really crap photo otherwise.” Other than running his own business, Richard also tutors in photography workshops, is looking at starting up his own jewellery label, and judges and competes in photography competitions. Whilst he has a long list of awards to his name, Richard’s most recent and impressive accolade beats them all: being named the New Zealand Photographer of the Year for 2014 in the Iris Professional Photography Awards. Richard topped the Illustrative category in this year’s awards programme, organised by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP), and was a finalist in the Portrait Creative category. Needless to say, reaching that top level was not an easy task. “You really have to push your own creativity,” Richard says. “It takes hours and hours of my own personal time.”
When the challenges of office work, accounts, marketing, research and education get in the way, however, it can sometimes be hard to find that time. “Only about five percent of my time is actually having a camera in my hand,” says Richard. “Nonetheless, seeing and appreciating more than other people do is what keeps me going: the catacombs in Paris when no one else is there, the Eiffel tower at 5am, the Louvre at night or a dust storm in the desert. These are experiences that not many other people ever capture.” A career in photography is not an easy ride; Richard says it’s a job that you have to really love if you want to be successful. To those talented photographers out there, he says: “Be yourself and don’t be afraid to be an individual – work your own style!”
JETmag
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SECTOR PROFILE
Finding fun in fashion
F
As glamorous as it sounds, there’s more hard work involved in the fashion world than you might think.
ashion-savvy Bron Eichbaum, now 53, spent many years as a model agent in her model and talent agency, The Agencie. In earlier years she had tried a few different trades, including flight attendant, as well as modelling herself. But she always found she gravitated towards management. “I didn’t have the X-factor that all model agents look for and I knew that, but I really enjoyed being backstage and putting shows together.” That’s not to say she didn’t try the many different areas in the fashion industry first, covering aspects of fashion retail, fashion retail management, window dressing, sign writing, styling, show direction and show production.
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“Nearly all my career has been fashion,” she says. After her stint as a model, Bron began booking models for Spotlight Model Agency with Maree Pannell in Christchurch. “I learnt on the job from watching, listening and working under her.” During this time, both Maree and Kirsty Lay, the previous owner of Exposure Model Management, served as great role models and great mentors. Shortly after that, owning a model agency herself became a reality and she bought Wellington’s Lorraine Models and Talent, before rebranding it.
Always on the job Sourcing models, handling bookings, networking, putting new people out there and, most importantly, being proactive is how she describes the daily duties of the job. “The industry fluctuates. It can be very buoyant and full-on, to the point where you can’t take a breath. Other times it dies, so when you have those times you have to be really proactive.” When it did get busy, being efficient and having great communication skills was vital. Standard office hours were from 9am until 5pm, but much of the time that wasn’t realistic. “I would be on holiday or at a dinner party with my list and a phone and I’d be receiving calls.” That was the reality of the job. As well as being flexible, having a great personality was just as important. Dealing with people constantly, Bron always kept a smile on her face and recognised the need for sensitivity. She explained how “you become a sort of mum to the girls. It’s important that you’ve got that caring side to you too.” Having 20 to 30 young men and women regularly on the books was standard for The Agencie. Back then, Wellington was a hard market when it came to fashion and there weren’t any magazines based there. Models constantly travelled up to Auckland, especially for the larger events such as New Zealand Fashion Week.
Ups and downs National travel wasn’t the only opportunity for Bron’s models, however. Model scouts from Paris, London, Sydney, Germany and America visited regularly, looking for new faces to sign internationally. As the “mother agent”, Bron received a percentage of the model’s earnings while they were overseas. The downsides were that not all international agents were honest and reliable with their payments. “The Italians were notorious,” she says. Models struggled internationally too. “Some found it tough and some would stick it out because it’s not easy out there in that market. You’re one of hundreds.” Weight was one of the issues models faced when overseas. Despite not having problems in the national industry, “to go overseas you needed to be slightly underweight and that was shocking,” said Bron. “Some of the agents would say, ‘she’s great but she needs to lose an inch off her hips’, and it was like, ‘oh my gosh, she’s already a beautiful size 10’.” This meant that eating disorders were some of the problems she had to deal with. “It’s like walking on egg shells when you’re dealing with that sort of stuff. You have to be very sensitive. I wouldn’t let a girl work, knowing she was too thin.” Bron states that the New Zealand market was never interested in underweight models and she struggled to find them work. As a model, she herself was never ‘skinny enough’ and she knew what it was like to go to a casting and be told she was too big. “But I loved food too much to give it up!” Dealing with unethical competitors was another unpalatable part of the job, but the good times definitely outweighed the bad. Finding a new star or seeing models recognise their success was “really great to see”. A model’s character and personality was just as important as her look. “The girls all got along really well,” says Bron. “There was never any bitchiness.” Fun was encouraged in the agency. “We used to prank the models and actors sometimes! We had a lot of laughs in the office, sometimes so much that I could barely talk on the phone!” Bron has moved on since those days. She sold the agency to her business partner and is now involved with Silverdale Knitwear in product design and development for the women’s fashion brand, Nineteen//46. That’s not to say she doesn’t miss her time at the model agency. “I just loved my time as an agent – it was a great job and I loved the work that I did. No regrets at all!”
LIFE
Say
to bullying:
the word from thelowdown.org.nz
Most of us have seen some form of bullying... maybe at school or university, in the workplace, among families, or in sports teams, groups or clubs. It’s sad but true – bullying happens in all areas of our lives. It’s important to know how to deal with it, because it can have negative effects. It might prevent us from coping at school, university or work, make us lose selfesteem and, in some cases, develop depression or anxiety.
What is bullying? Bullying isn’t a one-off incident (like a friend calling you a name because they were in a bad mood and then apologising later). It becomes bullying when the name-calling or the hitting or the threats go on for some time. There are many forms of bullying. Some examples are: yy If people call you names, start rumours about you or make up things to get you in trouble yy If people make abusive phone calls, send mean or rude text messages to your mobile or post insulting stuff about you on the internet yy When people steal your money or things you own, or intentionally leave you out of group activities yy If anyone hits, pushes, or touches you against your will, or threatens you with weapons.
When does it happen? Bullies themselves often have problems that lead to them acting the way they do. They may need to talk to someone about what’s going on in their lives as well. Mostly people get bullied because they’re different in some way. It might be because they do well, or have a disability or a different religion or culture, or are older or younger than their classmates or workmates. Often bullies can work out what to say to make you upset. Being depressed, scared or sensitive can also make you a target for bullying.
Why it needs to stop Bullying is a serious problem. It disrupts your life and may cause ongoing physical and emotional health problems. It can cause you to: yy Dislike your school, university or workplace (which could lead you to leave or drop out) yy Lose self-esteem yy Develop depression or, in more severe cases, even contemplate suicide.
What can you do if you’re being bullied? yy It’s really important to let someone know. Tell a friend, a teacher or school counsellor, a lecturer, a supervisor or your parents. If you don’t
want to talk to someone face to face, you could try writing a note or an email to someone you trust that lets them know what’s happening and how you feel. yy Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know. That’s where services like Youthline, Kidsline, What’s Up, Lifeline and of course The Lowdown team come in handy. There are contact details for these services in the box below. yy Stick to areas where you feel safe and hang out with people you trust. Bullies won’t normally pick on you as much when there are other people around. yy You might not want the bully to know you’re telling someone about them. It’s best to choose a time and a place where the conversation won’t be noticed by others.
What can you do if someone you know is being bullied? yy It’s important to listen to them and encourage them to yy talk about what’s going on (and don’t blame them for what’s happening). If you think they might have anxiety, depression or an emotional problem which is causing or resulting from the bullying, they may need to get help from a counsellor, doctor or other health professional. yy If the bullying is occurring at school, you should discuss the problem with the school authorities such as a senior teacher or a school counsellor. If it’s happening at work, the employer has a responsibility to prevent it. They should do their best to find a solution.
Where to get help If you want to chat about how you’re feeling, or you’ve got any questions, you can: yy Text The Lowdown team for free on 5626. yy Email The Lowdown team in the Chat section of www.thelowdown.co.nz. You can also ask them to give you a call back if you want to talk on the phone. yy Kidsline is where you can talk to a Kidsline Buddy – a bit like an older brother or sister who is trained to help callers. Call any weekday between 4–6pm on 0800 Kidsline (0800 543 754).
JETmag
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JOBS
How job interviews
are like The X Factor auditions
She had sung for hundreds of people before. She had a voice that would make birds swoon and your mother weep. The X Factor’s two tough judges, the pink one and the discerning one thought she had it. She would smash it.
1. Research
The confident singers had picked winning songs. They knew their audience. So, anticipate the questions that will be asked and prepare answers. Take these notes to the interview. Check out the company website.
4. Breathe
Before you ‘sing’ take a deep breath. Pause after a question is asked. Say, ‘that’s a good question’ to buy time. Wiggle your feet.
But it was over. She let nerves get the better of her and she bottled it, her dream of being world famous in New Zealand gone off the fizz. Your job interview is like an X Factor audition. So how do you overcome your nerves so that you can get that job?
2. Practise
The nervous singers went to bed early the night before. Practise giving an answer to the ‘tell me about yourself’ question. Role play an interview with a friend.
3. Organise
Prepare your clothes and bags beforehand . Make sure you know the transport options and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Be prepared for changes or upsets.
5. Focus on the questions
Those in The X Factor who did well ignored the staring judges. Instead of focusing on whether they will like you, focus on what they are asking you.
7. Understand
Like the judges, the interviewers need to find the best fit for their job. They are as nervous to get this right as you are.
6. Enjoy the moment
For the singers, there was fun in the audition. Enjoy the fact you have an interview. Notice something nice in the interview room.
8. Belief
Most of the X Factor singers could sing. The winners believed this. Think, ‘I can answer this’.
Source: careersnz 38
JOBS
FAST FACTS ABOUT TAX
Tax is a compulsory contribution of money to your country’s/ state’s overall revenue, taken from income and sales profits (added to the majority of transactions, goods and services). 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; also whether or not you have a student loan, so listen up! New Zealand's tax rate is 33 per cent for an income over NZ$70,000. At the other end of the scale, the tax rate is 10.5 per cent on income up to $14,000. 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 vary the tax deducted from your pay. Use this table to help work out your tax code for your main source of income.
If you ...
then your main tax code is ...
and if you have a student loan your tax code is ...
•have only one job, or •this job is your main job, and •none of the following situations apply
M
M SL
•are a New Zealand tax resident, and •have income between $24,000 and $48,000, and •qualify for the independent earner tax credit
ME
ME SL
•are on an income-tested benefit
M
M
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.
Codes for
your secondary source of income Use these codes for any income you receive from a second job or another source. If you have a second job and your total annual income is...
then your secondary tax code is ...
and if you have a student loan your tax code is ...
$14,000 or less
SB
SB SL*
between $14,001 and $48,000
S
S SL*
between $48,001 and $70,000
SH
SH SL
over $70,000
ST
ST SL
*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. Source: Inland Revenue
JETmag
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JOBS
World’s dodgiest
job interview questions
Most people have been asked a job interview question that made them squirm. Here are some ‘red flag’ questions that bosses and job hunters may encounter in the minefield that is the interview process. If you are a job seeker, alarms bells may ring when you are asked:
When did you finish high school?
Melbourne publishing company manager John* was asked this question when he was 52, and says the interview never recovered. “I walked into the agency and this director immediately asked what year I finished high school. I answered the question after being quite befuddled by it, and it was all downhill from there.” John’s experience should never happen, says Scott Brown of Scott Brown Recruitment, but “believe it or not it is still common”. “Many people who do the hiring in companies are inexperienced ... and ignorant around the latest discrimination laws, and candidates are well within their rights to say ‘look, that’s a very personal question and I would rather not answer it’.”
If you were an animal, what would you be?
Job seekers should be wary of recruiters who ask ’out-of-the-box’ questions, advises Anne-Marie Orrock of Corporate Canary HR Consulting. If an unorthodox opener is not followed by a carefully constructed series of questions that reveal useful information about job candidates it is “just meaningless and risky”. “Companies such as Microsoft and Google are known for asking these types of questions to test candidates’ mental agility, ability to respond quickly or to ascertain the kind of person they are,” Anne-Marie says. “But employers need to ask themselves, how is knowing one interviewee is ‘a lion’, one is ‘a monkey’ and one is ‘a caterpillar’ really going to aid the recruitment process and get the best result? Because unless the interviewer is skilled at drilling down to get useful information those types of questions go nowhere, and carry risk of deterring suitable candidates.”
40
Do you plan having children/more children/ getting married?
Any question about interviewees’ family ties, suburb of residence, sexual preference, disabilities or impairments, race, current or future dependents, religion, political stance and/or industrial activities is off limits when recruiting, stresses Scott. However many ‘modern’ Australian bosses are “still living in the 1950s”, says Joanne Sillince, managing director of Pets Australia. “I have been asked every one of these harebrained questions multiple times and often made the decision not to take the application further as I start asking myself, ‘what do questions like that say about the management structure?”’
How free are you on Saturdays?
If the job is casual, this question is relevant. If applying for most full-time roles, questions about weekend availability flag an employer’s expectation of regular overtime hours. Counter this question by asking how employees’ overtime is compensated. Similar alarm bells should ring if asked about your after-hours weekday activities. “I hope you don’t make plans for the evenings” is a red flag question commonly reported by job seekers, says Gen George, founder of online job platform OneShift. If you are a boss, listen up if you’re asked:
What does your business do?
Andy Sheats, chief executive and founder of www.health.com.au and www.insurancebox. com.au, has recruited hundreds of employees during his 20-plus years in business and says “any questions that could easily be answered with a Google search” are interview red flags. “In today’s world you would expect a candidate has gone online and ensured it is a job that may interest them; in our industry, it is a bit of a deal breaker.”
How strict is the company on personal use of computers?
This question can ring alarm bells but bosses should avoid jumping to conclusions, Jacqui Elliott, recruitment manager from Watts Next in Brisbane says. “Bosses need to know that if the person is raising it, it must be a concern to them so ask them why, why is it important to you, because some parents, for example, use apps to stay contactable by children in an emergency. But on the other hand I have also had an interviewee tell me they ran an online business and ‘need to be available during the day to answer customer enquiries’.”
When will I get promoted/a pay rise/know if I have the job?
Andy says Generation Y job candidates often arrive at interviews with the attitude “I want it, I want it my way and I want it now”. He was recently hiring and grew concerned by a candidate’s incessant queries regarding when he could get his preferred job. “He was saying ‘OK, I really like the company, so how long do I have to stay before I can get the job I really want?’ “I have also had candidates ask me, point blank, ‘did I get the job?’ and then tell me they need to know before tomorrow as they have other things lined up.”
How is your wife?
Unless you are already friends with your prospective boss, most don’t want to be asked about their private lives while conducting interviews. “The ones that really get me freaked out are the personal questions some candidates ask you,” Andy says. “I know we [employers] do it too just to make sure they are who they say they are, but when they stalk you online often in an attempt to show initiative, and then come out with ‘so, how’s Julie’, I do find over-sharing of information that isn’t relevant to the position a pretty big red flag.” * Name has been changed. From: www.stuff.co.nz/business/betterbusiness/9612526/Worlds-dodgiest-jobinterview-questions Sydney Morning Herald
JOBS
7
tips for a brilliant career,
from LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman
LinkedIn is one of the most successful social networking sites around, and it is particularly relevant for jobseekers. LinkedIn’s founder Reid Hoffman is one of Silicon Valley’s most astute entrepreneurs, so if there was anyone who knew how to succeed in life, it would be Reid. Here are his tips for career and life success.
A
lthough Reid Hoffman is now a billionaire and internet demi-god, like everyone else he had to start at the bottom. Reid wanted to be an academic (a university researcher or lecturer) early in his career, but he had entrepreneurial blood. He tried and failed with a social network (in the pre-Facebook era of the internet) and then joined PayPal as a startup, before going on to create LinkedIn. He and fellow entrepreneur Ben Casnocha wrote the book The Start-Up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career which, as the title suggests, is a great guide to life from someone who has made it. Reid outlines seven important tips for how to climb the career ladder. Are you ready to jot these down? They are:
1. ALL HUMANS ARE ENTREPRENEURS No matter what your job is, your entrepreneurial venture is your own career. Be bold, forge new sorts of careers.
2. DEVELOP A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Think about what makes you stand out from the crowd? Chart a career path that sets you apart from others. Pick a market niche where you’re better than the competition (based on your skills and aptitudes). To be successful, your skills, aspirations, and market value need to work together to make you better than others in your intended field.
3. PLAN TO ADAPT Make learning a priority over tangible rewards (like money) during your career – and learn by doing. Your identity emerges through experimentation, so always have an experimental plan A, and alternative plan B, and a certain fall-back option plan Z for your career.
4. NETWORK “Every job boils down to interacting with people,” Hoffman says in the book. Strengthen all your relationships and use their connections as well as yours. It’s kind of like using friends of friends, but in this case, it’s colleagues of colleagues. A cool tip is to have a ‘networking fund’ (maybe setting aside a few dollars a week) to pay for coffee, lunches, and other meetings.
5. PURSUE ‘BREAKOUT OPPORTUNITIES’ Remarkable careers are punctuated by breakout opportunities, not steady growth. Opportunities are linked to people, so make as many contacts as you can. Join clubs, professional organisations, and attend conferences.
6. TAKE SMART RISKS Every possible career move involves risk – if you take small risks every day, you’re less likely to run into trouble when you take bigger career risks.
7. WHO YOU KNOW IS WHAT YOU KNOW Use your network to access information. Find out who knows what and use them as your bank of information. What approach will you take to finding a brilliant job or building a career? Tell us on Twitter @JETMagazine.
JETmag
41
JOBS
: y d jeopar Jobs in
what’s on the endangered list? When was the last time you spoke to a telephone operator or slipped coins into the hand of a toll booth operator? If you’ve been in a taxi lately, you’ll notice many drivers accept calls over a smartphone app instead of a dispatcher through a CB radio. These jobs, along with many more, are becoming obsolete because of changes in technology. In 10 years taxi dispatchers, much like travel agents, postal workers or photo finishers may need to retrain to work in a different, more relevant career. With you – the millennials – entering the workforce having grown up as digital natives, the skills and the technology you are so familiar with could change the working world forever.
Imminently threatened or already extinct 1. Video store clerk: video streaming and downloading. 2. Photo finisher: obsolete due to digital photos. 3. Taxi dispatcher: replaced by apps. 4. Toll booth operator: more and more are automated. 5. Retail cashier: being replaced by self-checkouts. 6. Word processing operator/ typist: emergence of touchscreens and dictation software. 7. Switchboard operator: replaced by digital phone systems and cell phones. 8. Postal worker: digital communication/couriers are filling the physical delivery void. 9. Travel agent: online travel bookings. 10. Social media expert: now part of the communications and marketing skillset.
…The skills and the “technology you are so familiar with could change the working world forever.” 42
Under threat within 20 years? 1. Actor: actors in film and television could be replaced by completely realistic animations. Stage actors will exist for a while longer and will probably be performing in many parts of the world simultaneously through the anticipated widespread use of holograms. 2. Construction worker: construction work can be hazardous, so why should humans risk their lives doing it? Robotics are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and they’ll be constructing buildings cheaper, and far more quickly, than humans. 3. Frontline soldier: unlike sophisticated robots, humans are susceptible to nervousness, pride, stupidity, miscalculation, and slow reaction times. Computers could do the same job more efficiently, without risking human life. 4. Security guard: buy a strong, obedient robot that can see in the dark and never falls asleep on duty to protect your home or your business. 5. Car mechanic: cars will become too technically complex for humans to repair, so computers and robots may well take over. Eventually, cars will fix themselves. They’ve already started driving themselves. 6. Rubbish collector: instead of two guys tossing rubbish into the back of the truck, a single fast, strong and highly efficient robot could complete the process in five seconds. 7. Surgeon: doctors are only human, with human failings, so why not let a steady- handed, ice-cool and accurate robot operate instead? Assistive robot technology is already being used for keyhole surgery. 8. Librarian: libraries could soon look very different. Why have a library containing 50,000 “dead tree” books when you can have 50 million e-books that you can access with your library card and download to your tablet. 9. News anchor: No mispronunciations, no misunderstandings, no awkward banter – just a perfectly articulate teleprompter with a (beautiful) face.
LIFE
All abroad in
Argentina MIAH KENNETT finds out how her friend, Sarah Lakomy, who recently left New Zealand on a Lattitude gap year placement, spends her days as a primary school assistant teacher in Argentina.
After a long flight from Auckland on 3 March, Sarah joined a group of other volunteers in Buenos Aires before driving for an hour to their international hostel in Palermo. This is where the volunteers stay for a while to learn the fundamentals, from how to get around, to aspects of culture (with a fair dollop of sightseeing in there too). After this time, they are sent to host families – in Sarah’s case, she and another girl went to a host mother. I asked Sarah for an indication of how she spends a typical teaching day:
“We get up at 7am and eat breakfast, which is usually toast with butter and dulce de leche (a milk and sugar confection). We then get ready for the day. By 7.35am we are out the door. Depending on how hot it is, we either bus or walk to our school. Sometimes it’s too hot and humid to walk the 25 blocks to the school. When we get to school at 8am, we sign in and go to the staff room. Then I go to a year 3 classroom where I’m an assistant to the teacher for the morning. I help students who are struggling, or mark their work sheets, checking their maths or their spelling. The students and teachers are only allowed to speak English in these periods, because they do half of the day in Spanish and half in English. I do scanning and photocopying and make decorations for the classrooms. I read to them too – you name it, I do it, pretty much. There’s a break at about 10.30am where I go to the staff room. Lunch is at 12.40pm, where there’s a buffet of amazing food. After lunch, I’m with year 2 students and it’s pretty much the same thing. However, they’re learning more basic English, so it’s a little more challenging to communicate, especially with my accent. Finishing school around 4.10pm, we walk to the bus stop on the main road, and take the bus home. I do various things in the afternoon once I’m home –grocery shopping, washing, blogging, Facebook. Sometimes we go out for icecream. Around 9pm one of us will cook dinner, depending on who’s rostered to do it. Then it’s showers and catching up with friends at home – always late at night for us because of the time difference. By 10.30pm I’m in bed and thinking about what the next day will bring.” If you’re like me and get major FOMO (fear of missing out), don’t worry, there are endless options if you want to work overseas. Like Sarah, you could go through an agency, for example Lattitude (international volunteering and gap year placements for 17- to 25-year-olds), Au Pair Link New Zealand, or Camp America, depending on what you’re looking for. Or you could travel by yourself, picking up placements as you go. Volunteering is an awesome way to gain experience overseas, and looks great on a CV. I mean, what looks better than showing your passion for something by doing it for free! We’d love to hear about an overseas experience you might have had; or if you’d like some general advice about gap years. Contact us on Facebook (JETmagnz) or Twitter (@JETmagazine).
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LIFE
If you put all “oneyour eggs in basket and
someone comes and takes that basket away, you aren’t left with much.”
Living the
dream
A lifelong dream sometimes relies on having a back-up plan. It’s true, your dreams will wait, as Junior All Black Jackson Garden-Bachop tells MIAH KENNETT 44
LIFE
As I was growing up, if someone asked me what I wanted to be when I was older, the answer was easy. My dad was an All Black; my mum a Black Fern, my uncle was an All Black as well as two of my cousins. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be an All Black just like so many of my family. So I made rugby a priority in my life and I trained hard. I attended Scots College in Wellington and in my 4th form year I made the school’s top rugby side in the 1st XV. I stayed in this team for the remaining four years of my high school career, during which I received the player of the year award three times, top point scorer four times, top try scorer four times and in my final year was named captain. Outside of my school team I was working hard to make all of the Wellington representative teams I could. I was part of the U16 for two years, U18 for two years and the U20 for one year. My highest honour came at the end of Year 13 when I was selected in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team, and my dream of representing my country in rugby was well on its way.
Thinking ahead Throughout this time my education took a bit of a back seat. I did enough to pass but not much more. If I had a choice between practising long division and practising my goal kicking I’d be down on the field without a second thought. This attitude I had is probably the reason why I was doing so well on the rugby field, but over and over again I was being warned by my teachers and parents that I needed something else in my life, something to fall back on if my rugby didn’t work out. So I gave it some thought and decided that if I reached a point where I wasn’t playing sport, I would still want to be working around sport. I decided that after college I would start studying towards a Bachelor of Health Science at Massey University Wellington, hoping to eventually branch out into being a physiotherapist, ideally for the Argentinian women’s hockey team. Leaving college at the end of 2012 I was lucky enough to earn a two-year contract with the Wellington Lions, and at 18 years old I began to be paid for training and playing the sport I love. In 2013 from January to July, during the first university semester, I would have training five days a week at 6am, and three times a week in the evening. I was sitting three papers instead of four because of my high training load and even with one less paper than everyone else, I still found it hard.
Losing direction The second semester happened simultaneously with the ITM Cup season, during which I trained five days a week from 9am–4pm plus one game day a week. I was enrolled in two papers so was only doing half the workload of everyone else studying but even so I missed multiple classes due to training and at the end of the year I walked away with three papers passed out of a possible five. Just like at college, I didn’t really give it a second thought because I was doing well with my rugby and that was my priority. In 2014 I was selected as a member of the New Zealand under 20s, to play at the Junior World Cup. It is safe to say that during this campaign my study was almost nonexistent. I was enrolled in three papers again for the first semester; the World Cup was on through their exams so I didn’t complete any of them. I didn’t even bother to enroll in the second semester because of the ITM Cup season and how hard it had been the year before, so after two years out of school, my rugby had never been better. I had represented my country at a world cup and played for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup. My study, however, had not gone to plan. Students who had been studying full-time would have completed 18 papers out of the 24 of their degree. I had planned to complete eight studying part-time; I had in total three completed papers.
Reality bites Reality didn’t hit me until the start of this year. My two-year contract ended and I wasn’t offered another one. I am 20 years old with a crumb of a degree completed, and a very unimpressive CV as the only real job I’ve ever had is playing rugby. I’m learning very quickly the hard way that everything my teachers and parents said to me about having a backup plan was true. If you put all your eggs in one basket and someone comes and takes that basket away, you aren’t left with much. I have made a lot of bad choices around my study and my career development but I don’t want to dwell on them. I want to turn all my bad choices into learning curves. I’m still as committed as ever to continue my rugby; however, I know now that I need something else and am determined to make it something worthwhile. I have managed to get a job for a magazine company doing administration and sales, and am going to start a Bachelor of Communications which ties into the role at my new job. Rugby will happen for me in one way or another – I’m confident in that – but I’ve now seen what can happen if I don’t prepare for my future outside of rugby. I am looking forward to the challenge of working and studying in 2015 and know that if I put as much time and effort into the two as I do into my rugby I will be just fine.”
www.sjs.co.nz
GET WORK. GET PAID. JETmag
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Page 31
TRAINING
Creative Industries
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S
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 learning opportunities across the networks to ensure students have: »» more relevant learning contexts »» more choice about what and where to learn »» more applied learning opportunities »» more relevant learning programmes. 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.
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ing tur gy fac olo nu hn Ma Tec d an
We cover these pathways on:
NCEA Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Social and Community Services
S Ind ervi us ce tri es
&
Vocational Pathways
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ary s im Pr strie u Ind
Youth Guarantee
Co n Inf struc ras tio tr u n a ctu nd re
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Page 80 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: »» Construction and Infrastructure sector »» Service sector »» Social and Community Services sector »» Primary sector »» Manufacturing and Technology sector »» Creative sector (still being explored). Here in JETmag, we have our sector overviews arranged under these six headings. Each overview has several profiles of young professionals and professionals-in-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. 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
what’s
the app?
Studious
Google Drive
MIAH KENNETT lists the seven apps that she believes no student should be without.
Forgetting your assignment will never be the end of the world if you use this. Upload important files to Google Drive and have the ability to access them anywhere! Awesome.
Get your schedule in order! You’ll be notified of every lecture (including where and when), along with dates and times, homework or when assignments are due.
Viber
Revising at its finest. Create your very own flashcards and notes without having to cart around 500 bits of paper; this is one I’ll definitely be using.
If you’re studying away from home, Viber is for you. It’s a free text and calling app that makes living away that little bit cheaper.
Dictionary.com
Duolingo
I mean, this is the handiest thing ever, a dictionary in app form!
Are you into languages? This app gives you free language instruction in whichever language you choose.
iStudious Lite
Mathway Compare your answers with the ones Mathway comes up with. This is a brilliant way to help you with any equation, and it also shows you exactly how it was solved.
MITO provides on-the-job learning and career pathways. Get practical work experience in the automotive sector and complete a National Certificate in Motor Industry (Foundation Skills) Level 1.
0800 88 21 21 mito.org.nz
Talk to your school careers advisor or contact us today!
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VOX POPS
“How did you choose your
NCEA SUBJECTS?” Lily Custance - 17 “I always had a passion for fashion design so I took all art-based subjects along with statistics and history because I also thought I would enjoy those and they fitted in with my timetable. I enjoyed all the subjects I took apart from statistics.”
Rachel Webby - 18 “My favourite subject was art so I took everything that was offered to do with art like sculpture, design and art history and then I filled the rest of my timetable with subjects that I found easy or that fitted in with my timetable.”
Emma Waitt - 18
Abbie Dyer - 17 “I didn’t find many subjects that I enjoyed so I took a whole range of different things that didn’t really go together like PE and food tech because they were more practical and I don’t enjoy just listening and learning by taking notes all the time.”
“We had some compulsory subjects that we had to take so I had to pick those and then I still enjoyed German from when it used to be compulsory and I decided that I enjoyed English-rich subjects more than science-based subjects so I used that to make my decision.”
Maddi Walker - 18 “I knew I liked art and materials technology and I’ve always been a dancer so for me it was easy to pick my subjects and I was lucky enough to enjoy all of them too. If the school didn’t offer them then I have no idea what I would have taken.”
Te Paea Whaanga-Davies - 18 “I was always passionate about design and photography so I knew I would definitely take those subjects and I decided that English and maths were good ones to take too because they would help me out at university later down the track.”
Brooke Jenkins - 17
Grace Potter - 18 “We had some compulsory subjects that we had to take so I had to pick those and then I still enjoyed German from when it used to be compulsory and I decided that I enjoyed English-rich subjects more than science-based subjects so I used that to make my decision.”
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“I don’t really like school that much and wasn’t sure if I was going to stay so I just took all the subjects that looked easy and fun like PE and food tech.”
LIFE
Brain power
Trying to think of ways to increase your brainpower? Don’t stress, here are some foods that will help you reach your full potential.
Wholegrains
Avocados
Most wholegrains have a lower GI (glycaemic index), which means they release glucose (sugar) gradually into the bloodstream, keeping you energetic and alert throughout the day. Opt for cereals such as oats and wheat bran, plus wholegrain bread and pasta.
These contain the important antioxidant vitamin E, which is so much better absorbed from food, rather than from supplements.
Yoghurt and mixed nuts Yoghurt is said to be the perfect remedy for stress. It’s calming and tastes good. The plain, unsweetened kind is delicious and has heaps of probiotics in it, which keep your gut healthy. Throw some roasted nuts in the mix and you have the perfect pre-exam or interview snack.
Blueberries Evidence has suggested that the consumption of blueberries may be effective in improving or delaying short-term memory loss (for all you lastminute studiers). AND they’re delicious!
Fatty fish Salmon and sardines are perfect examples. They are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, powerful nutrients that are essential for a healthy mind.
Chocolate Who’d have an issue with smashing some of this? Dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa or more) is an awesome energy source said to be rich in flavonoids – another class of antioxidant that research has linked to brain health.
Water Water is absolutely essential – a hydrated mind is a fast mind. Think of it as being like putting petrol in a car. Pop a slice of lemon or cucumber in your drink bottle for flavour and you’re away laughing.
Coffee It is said that coffee, in moderation, is awesome for short-term memory and reaction times, keeping you alert and focused thanks to the caffeine. Just don’t overdo it, as caffeine can be addictive.
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SECTOR PROFILE
CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR Put 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.
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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, team work. More than 170,000 people work in the construction and infrastructure sector in New Zealand, and demand is high.
The types of jobs you’ll find in this sector include: yy Plumber yy Bricklayer yy Aluminium joiner yy Mechanic yy Drainlayer yy Glazier yy Quantity surveyor yy Scaffolder yy Gas-fitter yy Roofer yy Tiler yy Plasterer yy Painter yy Property manager.
SECTOR PROFILE
An eye for design
B
itten by the creativity bug early on, Nikki Burnet has always wanted to pursue a career in design of some sort. “I didn’t really know interior designing existed until my teens as I wanted to be an architect when I was younger, but I decided to go down that avenue and I haven’t looked back since.” Going through college, subjects like art, textile fashion and graphic design had always appealed to Nikki, and so finding a career that catered to her creative ambitions was a big bonus for her. As an interior designer, Nikki loves that the job is always varied. “No two days are the same and all the projects that we get are very diverse and different. So you could go from something very small, such as colour suggestions for a single bedroom, through to commercial work for bars and restaurants, or even full house designs where people give you an unlimited budget and you just get free reign on designing top to bottom. So there’s a lot of variation and I love that.” The satisfaction of seeing the end result of a project after all the hard work is what Nikki really values about her job. The interior design market in New Zealand is quite small and clients’ budgets are often very limited, says Nikki, which can often lead to “people with champagne tastes but beer budgets”. Working through that can present a challenge, but one that Nikki says comes with the territory and makes the job more interesting. Nikki graduated from WelTec with a Bachelor of Interior Design in 2006. As well as working for Wellington-based interior design company esdesign both part-time and full-time for eight years, she also spent two years working for renowned high-end home designer Yael Kurlansky in Perth, Western Australia. “In an industry like this, overseas experience is really important because it’s a whole new world over there. I had access to a lot more products and was working on multi-million dollar houses regularly, which was a fantastic experience.”
Nikki highly recommends studying for a Bachelor of Design as there are so many related avenues you can take once you’ve got the qualification – whether it’s working for an architect, which is predominantly computerbased, or, as in Nikki’s case, working for a purely interior design company, which focuses more on furnishings, colours and specification work. “It’s quite good because you don’t have to know exactly what you’re going to do when you start the qualification. As you go through the process you start to identify those papers you enjoy more than others. Then you can start to branch out and focus on what you enjoy, which is the important part of any job really – just doing what you love to do.”
days are the same and “Noallverythetwodiverse projects that we get are and different.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Crazy about cars A
Having grown up around cars and motorsport all his life, Trent Gibbs had always had an interest in what was going on under the hood.
s an automotive mechanic, Trent gets to work in a field that he has a real passion for. “My dad used to race quite a bit and so I was always around motorsport and racing cars and that sort of thing so it’s awesome to have a job that I have a genuine interest in.” In college, Trent took a variety of subjects that he felt would help him out the most with his potential career, including maths, electronics, automotive, trade skills and graphics. Automotive was obviously a big help in terms of learning the basics and also kickstarted Trent’s career as a mechanic. “It was through my automotive teacher that I got into the job really. He reckoned I was one of the better ones in the class and decided I should take up this Gateway programme, which is work experience. So I got in touch with the Gateway coordinator and she managed to get me a placing at the Car Care Centre. I came here every Tuesday for about two terms and then during the holidays I kept coming back, so Jim (my boss) eventually offered me a job and I’ve been here ever since.” On leaving school, Trent was awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the New Zealand Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO), which would go towards his fees while studying
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during his apprenticeship. Although he’s only been on the scene for a few months, Trent already feels like he’s learnt so much in that time through the experience at the Car Care Centre and says being paid to learn is a big bonus as well. With three to four years to go in his apprenticeship, Trent is still unsure about what the future may hold for him. While starting up his own shop may be on the cards in the long run, he’s content for the moment to just expand his knowledge as he goes. “Being willing to learn is a really good trait to have, especially when going into things like apprenticeships, because that’s all it is really – just learning to master the craft. It also helps to be good with people as you’re dealing with
people all the time like customers. With cars sometimes you won’t be able to solve the problem immediately so it’s important to be calm and patient and just not get frustrated too quickly.” Trent strongly recommends getting into the swing of things as early as you can. “I think going through a Gateway programme is really good as you can still go to school and stuff but at the same time you get early experience and get to learn the basics and a lot of the time there’s a job at the end of it. “Just asking around at the local garages is a good start and if you really have an interest in cars and things like that, then it’s all just about being proactive.”
Being willing to learn is a really good “trthings ait to have, especially when going into like apprenticeships, because that’s all it is really – just learning to master the craft..”
SECTOR PROFILE
As safe as houses The subjects that property manager Richard Findlay initially studied at university were light years away from those of his eventual degree. But 20 years down the track, he knows he made the right choices.
R
ichard Findlay originally set his sights on becoming a dentist, studying dentistry at Otago University for a year before switching things up and going down the commerce route for a further year. “The beauty of university, I think, is that it’s where you really discover yourself and you’re free to chop and change, as long as you settle with something that you enjoy doing.” At the end of those two years, however, Richard decided that he wanted to leave uni and enter the workforce. “I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do, but I was lucky that my father introduced me to a friend of his whose job in property management sounded interesting enough at the time. After speaking with him and also looking into other options, like the film industry, I decided that property seemed to interest me more – not that I knew much about it. “Once I got my teeth into it, I really enjoyed it and found that this was what I wanted to do. It was luck more than anything that got me into property management” Richard completed a three-year cadetship then decided to go back to university fulltime and complete his degree, graduating from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Valuation and Property Management. “It was quite a tough choice to stop working because by then I’d been working for the company for about four years and was earning good money, but I knew if I wanted to be good at the job and really advance my career then I had to go back to uni and get my degree.” After graduating, Richard travelled to the UK and took on the responsibility of 30 to 40 buildings, predominantly in central London, for a large property management firm. “It was one of the most interesting jobs I had, and getting it – especially coming straight out of uni –was awesome. As property managers, we were responsible for maintaining our clients’ properties, basically taking care of them as if they were our own.” This included making sure the buildings were regularly cleaned, painted, strengthened and refurbished, plus dealing with tenants and rental payments.
We were “responsible for maintaining
our clients’ properties, basically taking care of them as if they were our own.”
Not surprisingly, Richard recommends that aspiring property managers are well organised and skilled communicators who have the ability to recognise problems before they arise. The part of the job that he enjoys the most is problem solving – which he readily admits is a continuous learning curve – so the more experienced he became, the better he got at catching the ‘curved balls’ he was thrown.
“Experience is everything really – the more you do something, the better you become at it. I definitely think the best way to go about becoming a property manager is to work under a firm with a good reputation and learn from experience as much as you can.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Jumping in at
the deep end University isn’t for everyone and Pasia Filo is a case in point, preferring a much more hands-on approach to life.
P
asia is 18 months into a plumbing apprenticeship and loving the many different challenges that
the job presents. “I find plumbing really fun most of the time – there’s a lot of variety in the work and it’s pretty demanding, but I enjoy the challenges of the job,” he says. “If you’re not challenging yourself, there’s no real point of doing anything, I think. Plus, you get to meet heaps of new people and, personally, I really like the people I work with.” After finishing college, Pasia gained his Level 3 Certificate in Plumbing, Drainlaying, Gasfitting and Roofing at Whitireia polytechnic. Although he wasn’t a big fan of the classroom work involved, Pasia knew that it comes with the territory and much of the time he found the practical work involved quite fun. “Drainlaying was a good time. Lots of hands-on work, which I like, and you got to have a go on the old digger, which was new for me,” he says. One thing that Pasia has found is that there’s a demand for tradesmen, so it didn’t take long for him to find an experienced plumber who would give him an apprenticeship. Currently working for a sole-trader who has just recently opened his own plumbing and drainage business, Pasia does a lot of work that wouldn’t always be offered to apprentices in bigger firms and he knows it’s a great
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opportunity to enhance his skill set. There’s a lot of rolling up your sleeves and “jumping in at the deep end”, according to Pasia. “Obviously you deal with a lot of toilets and that sort of thing so they’re not always the nicest smelling jobs, but you’ve just got to get in there and do it without complaining or whinging about it. When you’re faced with a cloggedup toilet, it’s man or mouse really.”
Christchurch, where there is still a big demand for plumbers after the earthquakes in the region, or take his trade overseas. The flexibility that comes with the trade is another thing that Pasia values about being a plumber. For aspiring plumbers, Pasia has a few words of encouragement: “If you’re someone who loves to get your hands dirty and likes to challenge yourself in an outdoor environment,
If you’re someone who loves “tolikes get your hands dirty and to challenge yourself in an outdoor environment, get yourself into plumbing.”
Plumbing is a real man’s job, he reckons, and nothing beats a cold one on a Friday afternoon after a good job’s been done. “It’s pretty rewarding at the end of the week to just hang around with the boys after and tell a few tales of what we came up against throughout the week. It’s not all a grind; there’s also a social aspect to plumbing, which I enjoy.” After completing the remaining three years of his apprenticeship, Pasia plans to either move down to
get yourself into plumbing. When looking for an apprenticeship you’ve got to be persistent and not just sit there on your bum waiting for work to come to you. “Just by approaching different companies, chances are you’ll get taken up and then once you’ve got your foot in the door the experience that you get from it will help you out more in the future. Just be proactive and do what you’re passionate about.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Building a future Nic Patterson, who has always loved being outdoors and couldn’t sit still as a child, thinks that becoming a builder was the perfect way to keep himself busy and be outdoors at the same time.
N
ic began his working life studying to be a snowboard instructor on snowy slopes in the US, but returned after a year to begin the process of becoming a qualified builder. “Even though I really loved snowboarding and doing my stint in the US was good fun, I decided that I wanted to have a career where I could determine how much I wanted to earn in an industry with so many opportunities, so I ended up doing my building apprenticeship.” Nic did his four-year apprenticeship through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). “Doing an apprenticeship is an awesome way to learn. Not only do you get paid while you study, so you don’t end up with a huge student loan at the end of things, but you also get to learn hands-on from professionals who carry out the job day in and day out. All you really need to begin is a driver’s licence, a job and a great attitude!” Now with over 12 years’ building experience under his belt, Nic enjoys the freedom that having a trade can provide. Nic now runs his
own inspection company, Wellington-based CheckHome, alongside his family building company. The company provides pre-sale, prepurchase and maintenance reports for home buyers and home sellers. “At CheckHome we do things like providing a cost estimate for an area of concern so the customer can understand how much it costs to fix. We also do our best to utilise all the latest technology while still providing that oldfashioned service.” Being outgoing, loving the outdoors and just being hard working are a few of the traits that Nic says will stand those going into the construction industry in good stead. Nic enjoys
Being a builder is “such a useful trade because you get to
make something out of nothing with your own bare hands.” the fact that through his job he gets to meet people from different walks of life. He also keeps up to date with the latest technologies, and through his wide range of skills he’s able to work on any personal projects that he might have. “Being a builder is such a useful trade because you get to make something out of nothing with your own bare hands. In my case I am able to use the skills that I have learnt and apply it to different areas of business; for example, real estate and property managers.” As he considers expanding CheckHome throughout the country and into Australia, Nic knows that considerable hard work will be required, but is philosophical about it. “If you’re working hard and having fun while you do it, then the work won’t seem all that hard.”
JETmag
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EDUCATION
New Zealand’s tertiary institutions: what’s the difference?
There’s universities, of course. Most people know what they are. But where do polytechnics (ITPs), industry training organisations (ITOs), private training establishments (PTEs), and wānanga fit into the picture? Here 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 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’re deciding on your further learning institution – don’t automatically assume that having a university degree will give you the best chance of getting the job you want. Because the workforce is constantly changing, a polytech or private training establishment may be the fastest evolving tertiary education provider in your chosen sector.
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 excels in the arts and communication (e.g. creative writing, publishing, and journalism), whereas Otago Polytechnic and Unitec have strong veterinary nursing programmes.
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EDUCATION
Be sure to shop “around when you're deciding on your
further learning institution – don't automatically assume that having a university degree will give you the best chance of getting the job you want.” New Zealand ITPs
yy Aoraki Polytechnic yy Bay of Plenty Polytechnic yy Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology yy Eastern Institute of Technology yy Manukau Institute of Technology yy Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology yy Northland Polytech (NorthTec) yy Open Polytechnic of New Zealand yy Otago Polytechnic yy Southern Institute of Technology yy Tai Poutini Polytechnic yy Unitec New Zealand yy Universal College of Learning yy Waiariki Institute of Technology yy Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) yy Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec) yy Western Institute of Technology Taranaki yy Whitireia Community Polytechnic
Universities
Western 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 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, Honours, postgraduate diploma, Master’s degree, or 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 ranking, followed by the University of Otago, 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 where 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 yy The University of Auckland yy AUT University yy The University of Waikato yy Victoria University of Wellington yy The University of Canterbury yy The University of Otago yy Massey University yy Lincoln University
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0800 TPP INFO www.tpp.ac.nz JETmag
57
EDUCATION
Industry training organisations (ITOs)
Industry training organisations (ITOs) develop training programmes and qualifications for industries and the government. Following recent mergers, there are currently 14 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, off-the-job learning, ongoing assessment, and provide up-to-date information to employees and employers. The current ITOs are: yy Building and Construction ITO yy Careerforce yy Competenz yy EmQual yy Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand yy Infrastructure ITO yy NZ Hairdressing ITO yy NZ Marine ITO yy NZ Motor ITO yy Pharmacy ITO yy Primary ITO yy ServiceIQ yy Skills Active Aotearoa yy The Skills Organisation yy Universal College of Learning
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 have no need of a student loan. However, you may have to pay for courserelated costs for NZQA (New Zealand
Qualifications Authority) 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 transported overseas. There are also special trade and business qualifications administered by NZQA.
Wānanga
Wānanga are New Zealand tertiary education institutions that focus on practical learning, as well as embracing a teaching and learning philosophy that is built around Māori culture and knowledge. In traditional times, the word ’wānanga’ conveyed meanings related to highly evolved knowledge, lore, and occult arts reached through discussion to arrive at deeper understanding. In wānanga classes, students learn from each other just as much as the teacher. At wānanga, you learn how to learn. They also offer: yy Bridging certificates yy Diplomas yy Bachelor’s degrees yy Postgraduate qualifications such as Master’s and PhDs. 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 Māori environment and are based on a teaching that provides an inclusive, interactive, and nurturing learning experience. There are three wānanga in Aotearoa. Each has campuses throughout the country: yy Te Wānanga o Aotearoa yy Distance Education (Open Wānanga) yy Te Wānanga o Raukawa yy Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
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, which trains pilots. PTEs generally provide education at the certificate and diploma level, and while the sting in the tail can be high course fees, your employability is high. There are literally hundreds of training providers across the country. Online research may uncover the PTE that is right for you.
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EDUCATION
Scholarships are for everyone Along with awesome recognition, scholarships provide financial support to students who excel and continue to strive for success academically. Just about every school, university, and polytechnic in the country offer ample opportunities to snap one up. More often than not, there’ll be a scholarship you’re eligible for. Whether it is based on what you study, your family background, school marks, or just your ambition in life, there’ll be one for you. It’s a common misconception that you have to be a freak genius to get any sort of recognition.
The best way to learn about what scholarships you may be able to apply for would be to plan what you want to do, where you want to study, and go from there, researching the scholarships and programmes offered by the particular institution. Eight universities, represented by their vicechancellors, make up the membership of Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara, which is an awesome site if you wish to enquire more about potential scholarships and opportunities.
Interested in health and wellness? Find out more about a career in chiropractic
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JETmag
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EDUCATION
Where to study in
new zealand North Island* universities
yy The University of Auckland yy AUT University yy The University of Waikato yy Massey University yy Victoria University of Wellington
National – Industry training organisations (ITOs) yy Building and Construction ITO yy Careerforce yy Competenz yy EmQual yy Funeral Service Training Trust of New Zealand yy Infrastructure ITO yy NZ Hairdressing ITO yy NZ Marine ITO yy NZ Motor ITO yy Pharmacy ITO yy ServiceIQ yy Skills Active Aotearoa yy The Skills Organisation yy Universal College of Learning
North Island* institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs)
National – Wānanga yy Te Wānanga o Aotearoa yy Te Wānanga o Raukawa yy Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
South Island* universities
yy Bay of Plenty Polytechnic yy Eastern Institute of Technology yy Manukau Institute of Technology yy Northland Polytechnic (NorthTec) yy Open Polytechnic of New Zealand yy Unitec New Zealand yy Universal College of Learning yy Waiariki Institute of Technology yy Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) yy Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec) yy Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki yy Whitireia Community Polytechnic
yy The University of Canterbury yy The University of Otago yy Lincoln University
South Island* institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs)
yy Aoraki Polytechnic yy Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology yy Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology yy Open Polytechnic of New Zealand yy Otago Polytechnic yy Southern Institute of Technology yy Tai Poutini Polytechnic
*Where the main campus is based. 60
EDUCATION
where to study in
australia
Did you know that New Zealanders are considered domestic students in Australia? This means that Kiwis pay the same (lower) fees there as our Aussie cousins. However, you need to be a resident of Australia for two years or more to receive benefits such as a study allowance. So if you’re stumped about which New Zealand institution to study at, the answer might be to take a trip across the ditch (as long as you bring those newly acquired skills back to your home country after you graduate!).
Queensland
yy Bond University yy Central Queensland University yy Griffith University yy James Cook University yy Queensland University of Technology yy University of Queensland yy University of Southern Queensland yy University of the Sunshine Coast
Western Australia
yy Curtin University yy Edith Cowan University yy Murdoch University yy University of Notre Dame Australia yy University of Western Australia
National
yy Australian Catholic University
South Australia
Victoria
yy Carnegie Mellon University Australia yy Flinders University yy Torrens University Australia yy University College London's UCL School of Energy and Resources, Australia yy University of Adelaide yy University of South Australia
yy Deakin University yy La Trobe University yy MCD University of Divinity yy Monash University
New South Wales
yy Charles Sturt University yy Macquarie University yy Southern Cross University yy University of New England (Australia) yy University of New South Wales yy University of Newcastle (Australia) yy University of Sydney yy University of Technology yy University of Western Sydney yy University of Wollongong
yy RMIT University yy Swinburne University of Technology yy Federation University (formerly University of Ballarat) yy University of Melbourne yy Victoria University
Australian Capital Territory
yy Australian National University yy University of Canberra
Tasmania
yy University of Tasmania
JETmag
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EDUCATION
How to avoid
nine subject choice mistakes It’s subject choice time. Around the country thousands of secondary school students are poised to make mistakes in how they pick next year’s subjects. If you’re pondering subjects for next year, you may benefit from reflecting on these common mistakes and learning how to avoid them:
1
Doing a subject because your parents want you to. Parents want you to be happy and successful but let’s face it, the world is a different place from when they grew up. If you want to do something different from what they suggest, you could check out our advice on talking to your parents about how you feel, and reassuring them that you are not going to ruin your life.
2
Doing a subject because it’s easy to pass. It’s fine to do a subject that you find easy, but you could fall in a trap by taking an easy option rather than challenging yourself, and cutting off your options (although see point 7). Try asking your future self which choice they wish you’d made.
3 4
Doing a subject because your friends are doing it. Do go with your friends if you’ll all support each other to study – it can happen. But remember it’s your life and your future. You can see your friends during breaks.
Doing only science subjects because you want to be a doctor/doing only art subjects because you want to be an artist/doing only design subjects because you’re going to be a photographer. Surprise: to be a doctor it’s desirable that you have English, artists often find maths useful, and photographers are encouraged to take computer studies. Don’t assume you know the entry requirements for tertiary study – check out the recommended secondary school subjects for the 400-plus jobs featured in our jobs database before cutting off options. (There are also handy links to the training providers.) Doing a subject because you like the teacher. A great teacher can switch you onto a subject, but you know – teachers leave. Also you may not get the teacher you want next year. Also, in adult life you are likely to have to work with people you don’t like. If you have a subject you need to do, with a teacher you don’t like, try to find some good in them and tell yourself it’s good practice in getting along with a variety of people.
5
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6
Doing subjects you hate because someone told you to. Question why they told you what they did. Was it because you need that subject to get into a course? In that case, probably wise to do it. But see point 4 – check that you really do need that subject. And only you know whether you’ll be dying inside sitting through another year of a course that simply isn’t you. Panicking and feeling like you have to get it absolutely right at this point or you will have narrowed your options too much and your life will be ruined. You can always pick up a subject later if you want to. It might be a bit harder, but if you’re motivated you’ll be able to do the work. Plus many polytechs and universities offer bridging or foundation courses, (which may sound like they’re all in civil engineering but are usually in maths, English and sciences), and other support for people returning to study after a break. And – BTW – career theory says that you are still finding out about yourself right into your mid20s so it’s OK if you don’t get it perfect now.
7
Choosing too many subjects, or too many challenging subjects. Study is good but remember life has many aspects and it’s important to have balance. Check out our Work in Life tool. Note that recent New Zealand research found that for most students it’s fine to have a part-time job – it does not affect schoolwork or their health. Some people start with mowing lawns at the age of 11 and have a retail job by the time they are 15, with a respectable bank balance and a CV under their belt already.
8
Undermining your chances of getting into further study by doing lots of schoolwork and no volunteer work. A surprising number of tertiary courses are interested in your volunteer activities, from zookeeping (where, surprise, it’s useful to have done volunteer work with animals), to medical school, where volunteer work with people is useful. Again, our jobs database can help with this. There’s a section in each job profile, called ‘useful experience’, which will tell you if volunteer work is useful – and you can also check directly with the place that provides the training. If you are still at school and need ideas, find out more about your options. Source: blog.careers.govt.nz
9
EDUCATION
Are you down with
Orientation
uni lingo?
Usually a week where events are held to welcome students who can meet new friends.
Dorm
The freedom of where you live 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 at uni.
Undergraduate You while studying.
Postgraduate
You after finishing your course.
Master
You, once you’ve graduated from your first uni course and completed the next level.
Paper
A unit of study. Alternatively, something that people used to write on before the iPhone.
Library
The place where you hang out, flirt, smash healthy snacks, and sometimes do assignments.
Sleep
As rare as the colossal squid.
Student clubs
Places to meet like-minded souls.
Alumni
People who graduated years ago and loved uni so much they still hang around.
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www.nzsia.org
JETmag
63
LIFE
getting your
licence
Confession: I failed both my learner and restricted licence twice. Let’s just say that while I am actually a phenomenal driver now, nerves must have got the better of me. Either that or the tester was distracted by my hilarious tales of how I once drove a moped scooter up my neighbour’s fence and how I mounted the curb while interpretive dancing, resulting in a tyre puncture the size of my face. Anyway, thanks to VTNZ, here’s everything you need to know about getting your licence.
How you get a car licence There are three stages to getting a car licence. At each stage you earn a new licence with fewer restrictions and more responsibilities: yy Stage 1: Learner licence yy Stage 2: Restricted licence yy Stage 3: Full licence
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: yy You must only drive with a supervisor sitting beside you at all times. Your supervisor must hold a current full New Zealand car licence, which does not have a supervisor condition. They must have held their full New Zealand licence (or an equivalent overseas licence) for at least two years. yy Your car must display learner (L) plates front and rear. yy You may carry passengers but your supervisor has to agree to this. yy You face severe penalties if you drive outside the licence conditions.
To apply for your restricted licence, you must: yy be at least 16½ years old yy have held your learner licence for at least six months yy 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.
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.
Your learner licence will be issued for five years.
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While on a restricted licence: yy You can drive on your own, but not between 10pm and 5am yy Generally, you cannot carry passengers without the supervision of a licensed car driver. Your supervisor must hold a current full New Zealand car licence which does not have a supervisor condition. They must have held their full New Zealand licence (or an equivalent overseas licence) for at least two years. Your restricted licence will be issued for five years.
If you are under 25 years of age, you can apply after you’ve held your restricted licence for: yy at least 18 months; or yy at least 12 months if you have completed an approved advanced driving skill course. If you are 25 years of age or older, you can apply after you have held your restricted licence for: yy at least six months, or yy at least three months if you have completed an approved advanced driving skills course. To progress to a full licence you have to pass a practical test by demonstrating safe driving behaviour across a wide range of traffic situations and road conditions. Don’t be afraid to Tweet (@JETmagazine) or Facebook (JETmagnz) us photos of you and your #licence on the special day! I’d love you to tell me how your tests went, and rub in how mine… didn’t!
This article is sponsored by NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF CHINESE MEDICINE: http://chinesemedicine.ac.nz
Looking to study an
alternative therapy?
People are constantly investigating alternative cosmetics, medicines, and ways of life. MIAH KENNETT looked into Chinese medicine as an alternative therapy, and found that it’s offered as a study option right here in New Zealand. Chinese medicine is proving a hot topic as more and more people are seeking natural methods of healthcare that do not involve synthetic medications of the type that seem to feature heavily on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is famous for assisting with good health and treating the underlying causes of disease in our bodies.
are working in the acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine fields or have carried onto further TCM study. The majority of degree graduates have become ACC-registered practitioners and are working in acupuncture clinics. After reading up on alternative therapies, in particular Chinese medicine, I can’t wait to try all of it.
The New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine (NZCCM) offers a four-year Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) degree, majoring in Chinese medicine; a three-year BHSc, majoring in acupuncture only, is also available. Students train to be ACC-registered acupuncturists and to prescribe Chinese herbal medicine.
Something that particularly caught my attention is cupping. For those who don’t know, it’s where a flammable substance is placed in a cup and ignited. When the fire goes out, the cup is placed upside down on the skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum, which causes the skin to rise and redden. Cupping supporters believe that it removes harmful substances and toxins in the blood to promote healing.
NZCCM also offers the Level 4 Chinese Medicine Health Maintenance New Zealand Certificate as a shorter option (only 20 weeks).
I hear that Sonny Bill Williams is an advocate of cupping. To my mind, that’s a pretty good reason to try it.
The course covers core concepts of TCM and healthcare for specific parts of the body e.g. rehabilitation after injury or disease – perfect for all you athletes out there! Students are taught how to apply the philosophy and theory of Chinese medicine to their own healthcare and to formulate a plan for long-term health and lifestyle benefits. The employment prospects for graduates with a degree or diploma in Chinese medicine are awesome – over 90 per cent of graduates
Overall, it seems that studying TCM provides some valuable options for a fulfilling career path for school leavers – a path I would be keen to investigate further.
How you can contact New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine: Phone: 09 580 2376 Email auck@chinesemedicine.ac.nz Website: www.studylink.govt.nz
JETmag
65
LIFE
So you’re hungry, flatting and short on cash? MIAH KENNETT shows you how to make some of the easiest, cheapest, and most filling meals ever. Breakfast smoothie yy 1 banana yy ½ cup unsweetened yoghurt yy ½ cup rolled oats yy 1 teaspoon honey yy ¼ teaspoon vanilla essence yy 1 cup milk Put in a blender until smooth; pour and enjoy. (You can also add frozen berries to this – yum!)
Corn fritters
Basic vanilla muffins
yy 1 egg yy 1 tablespoon water yy 1 cup plain flour yy 1 teaspoon baking powder yy Salt and pepper yy 1 can creamed corn yy 1–2 tablespoons oil for frying (if you don’t have a non-stick pan.) 1. In a bowl, beat egg with a little water. Sift in flour and baking powder, add salt and pepper (as much as you like) and stir, adding more water if needed. Make sure the mixture is thick and smooth. 2. Add the can of creamed corn, and stir. 3. Heat a frying pan to a medium heat and add spoonfuls of the batter to the pan. Flip the fritters when they start to bubble on the top.
yy 2 cups self-raising flour yy ½ cup sugar yy 1 egg
yy ¾ cup milk yy 1/3 cup vegetable oil yy 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1. Preheat oven to 180°C or 160° fan-forced. Place muffin paper cases into muffin tray. 2. Combine flour and sugar in a bowl. 3. In another bowl, mix egg, milk, vanilla and oil. 4. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Spoon into muffin papers. 5. Bake for 22–25 minutes. Leave to cool, and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling. Makes 12.
Easy pancakes � 1 teaspoon vanilla essence � Pinch of salt � 25g butter
� 1 large egg � 1 cup milk � 1 cup flour
1. Place first 5 ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix till smooth. 2. Melt the butter, pour into the mixture and stir (the butter makes a big difference to the flavour). 3. Pour half a cup of mixture into a hot non-stick pan and cook until air bubbles form on one side. Flip and cook briefly. Repeat. Top with whatever you like.
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Breakfast pita yy 1 large wholemeal pita bread, cut in half yy 1 tablespoon olive oil yy 2 medium potatoes yy 2 eggs, beaten yy Salt and pepper 1. Scrub and dice potatoes, boil 10–12 minutes. 2. Heat oil in a frying pan, add cooked potatoes and fry until lightly browned. 3. Reduce heat, then add eggs. Cook until eggs are firm, then season with salt and pepper. 4. Place pita halves in toaster to crisp up (don’t burn them!) 5. Stuff each half with potato and egg mixture.
LIFE
for an empty stomach
and an empty wallet d rice
Quick frie
yy 3 cups of cooked rice yy 2 rashers bacon (optional) yy 1/3 cup corn kernels, frozen or tinned yy 1/3 cup peas, frozen or tinned yy 1 carrot, finely diced yy 1 tbsp light soy sauce yy 1 egg, lightly beaten
Tuna pasta yy 2 small handfuls of any dry pasta yy 1 tin of any flavour tuna yy 3 spring onions, chopped yy 2 tablespoons double cream yy 1 teaspoon dried chives yy Salt and pepper 1. Boil the pasta for 6–8 minutes. Leave to drain. 2. Place chopped spring onions in a frying with a little oil and cook till soft. Break up tuna and add to pan. 3. Add the cream and the chives. As soon as the cream begins to bubble, add the pasta and stir everything together. Allow the pasta to heat through. This should take around one minute. 4. Season well with salt and pepper.
Tortilla pizzas yy 2 wholemeal tortillas yy ½ cup basil pesto yy 1 tomato, sliced yy ½ cup mozzarella cheese, grated yy ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled 1. Preheat oven to 200°C. 2. Grease tray for tortillas. Spread pesto over surface of each tortilla. 3. Sprinkle on tomatoes and cheeses. Bake for 12–15 minutes until crust is crisp, cheese is melted, and toppings are hot.
1. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add bacon, peas and carrots then stir until lightly cooked. 2. Add the rice and cook for around 5 minutes, stirring only a few times. 3. Add the soy sauce and stir for another 2 minutes. 4. Move ingredients to one side of the pan. Pour the egg in to cook for 30 seconds. With a fork, scramble and combine through the rest of the rice.
Stuffed baked potatoes yy 4 medium potatoes, whole yy Spray of oil yy 4 rashers bacon yy 300g can creamed corn yy 1/3 cup grated Edam cheese yy 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1. Scrub the potatoes, spray with oil, and bake at 200°C for 60 minutes or until soft. 2. While the potatoes are baking, remove the rind from the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and chop into small pieces. Heat the creamed corn. 3. When the potatoes are cooked, cut each one lengthwise from the top and scoop out the potato flesh without breaking the skins. 4. Mash the potato with the creamed corn, chopped bacon, cheese and parsley, then spoon the mixture back into the potato shells. Bake potatoes 180°C for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Enjoy! JETmag
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VOX POPS
“WHO INSPIRES YOU?” Declan Bartlett - 18
Finn Rodgers-Brander - 18
My dad inspires me because he never gives up and sets high expectations that he believes that I can achieve, which makes me push myself further than I would on my own. He’s always there for me and I know I can go to him for good advice.
My mum inspires me as she has supported me the most throughout my life, and has always done everything she could to make me who I wanted to be when I grew up. She always pushed me to do things outside of my comfort zone and encouraged me to make my own decisions.
Zofia Arthur - 18 Maddy Tew - 18
Babysitting for my neighbours, who are adorable, so I really enjoyed the job, which made doing it really easy. This made me realise that any jobs that I get in the future, I need to enjoy so that it doesn’t really feel like I’m working, but just doing something that I actually like doing.
I’m most inspired by Carol Craymer, principal of Queen Margaret College, as she shapes and prepares the young women that come out of her school. She produces model citizens and wellrounded ladies in her school so I admire the work that she does for the school and these girls.
Phillip Leaupepe Nickel - 18 James Moore - 18 I look up to my parents because I want to end up like them in the future – happy, healthy, in a comfortable financial situation and have the flexibility to enjoy what life has to offer, surrounded by family and friends. They have taught me the importance of living life to the fullest and taking the most of every opportunity that is presented to you.
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Will Smith inspires me just because he has made such a good name for himself and his family for doing what he loves. He has also put so much time and effort into his acting career to become as great as he is, so he actually deserves the fame he has gotten instead of just getting it handed to him.
VOX POPS Maddi Robb - 18
My grandma inspires me for being always loyal and the most caring person I know. She’s always there for people that need her even just for the tiny things. I think she has had the biggest influence on my personality as I now always try to be as caring and trustworthy as possible.
Matt Twort - 18 My biggest inspiration is Hauraki radio host Matt Heath. Matt often tells stories of the tough times in his early life, from the splitting of his parents and being sexually abused, to living off porridge for a week. But that didn’t stop Matt from pursuing his dream of becoming a radio host. His perseverance is the main reason he inspires me and will continue to inspire me for years to come.
Sam Pead - 18
I’m inspired by my brother, as he is always determined and resilient with everything he does. Never mind how insignificant something may seem to everyone else, he will always put in 100 per cent effort, which is something that I really look up to.
Hugo Humphries - 18
Grace Robinson - 18
My dad inspires me with his expertise in his medical field and his hard-working nature. I strive to emulate his work ethic so I can one day be as successful and talented at his profession as he is.
My inspiration is Hillary Clinton because she challenged the social norms surrounding the First Lady and has used her power for change.
Phoebe Slessor - 18 Ms Pivac (my year 13 dean) inspires me because she never gives up on anyone or judges them for anything. No matter how big or small a problem that a student came to her with, she would find a way to mend it in the most respectful yet compassionate way possible.
Ella Brown 18 My parents have inspired me the most. My dad inspires me because he never fails to support my sisters and me in everything we do, and has taught us to remember the past but look forward to the future. This has helped me get through so much in my life, and accomplish more than I believed I was capable of.
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EDUCATION
Time management
tips
It’s not likely you’ll be assigned a personal assistant while working or studying, so here are a few tips on how to juggle several things at once.
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1.
All right, the first is important. Don’t take on too much. This way you’ll be able to spend more time on things you care about/that are more important. It’s OK to say no sometimes!
6.
Don’t procrastinate You can’t be bothered doing something? I guarantee completion will be worth it! Promise yourself a reward after a boring or hard task.
2.
Keep a to-do list This is something I’m a fan of. This way you ALWAYS know what you need to do. It’s satisfying to check tasks off as you complete them.
7.
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.
3.
Set personal goals A great way to remind you exactly why you’re doing what you’re doing.
8.
Take breaks A refreshed mind works much better. Leave the room you’re working in and have a short break. This will help you to stay focused when you are ready to work again.
9.
Effectively plan your day ahead Think what you need to get done tomorrow and prepare yourself for the next day.
4. Prioritise Mark things to be done in order of priority. It helps you know where to start. 5.
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!
10. Have a good night’s sleep Running on no sleep makes everything harder – tasks seem more difficult and a LOT more boring.
JETmag
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DON’T MISS NZ’S BIGGEST CAREERS EVENT
Careers expo World of
Work
The Careers Expo is your one-stop-shop for careers advice and information from the widest range of employers, training providers and industry bodies. Come and check out the action in one of these locations: a great k Hub is d ld of Wor what you nee r The Wor and discove t. Come place to job you wan get set for life and to get the game of play the furure! a bright
World of
Work
CHRISTCHURCH. 7-9 May. Horncastle Arena AUCKLAND 28-30 May. ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane HAMILTON 7-8 June. Claudelands Showgrounds WELLINGTON. 28-29 June. TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf
a great k Hub is d ld of Wor what you nee r The Wor and discove t. Come place to job you wan get set for life and to get the game of play the re! furu a bright
CHECK OUT THE WORLD OF WORK AREA AT THE EXPO A whole new interactive hub designed to help young people get ‘work ready’ ! Get involved to give yourself a head start in the game of life!
www.careersexpo.org.nz
SECTOR PROFILE
SERVICES SECTOR Services 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.
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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!
Careers include: yy Accountant yy Barista yy Beauty therapist yy Hairdresser yy Chef yy Customer service representative yy Flight attendant yy Hotel manager yy Marketer yy Personal trainer yy Retail assistant yy Receptionist yy Ski instructor yy Tour guide yy Politician yy Waiter.
SECTOR PROFILE
Cooking up a storm
Top New Zealand chef Andrew Brown has a message for those aiming to follow in his footsteps.
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ew Zealand chef Andrew Brown certainly knows what it’s like to climb from the bottom to the top. After “falling” into the cooking environment as a 17-year-old kitchenhand in a small West Coast restaurant, he has travelled the world and cooked for the likes of Hillary Clinton, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince William and even Metallica. Andrew knew right from the start that the fun and high energy aspects to the job were for him. A 6,000-hour apprenticeship programme over three years at Christchurch’s CPIT gave him the experience he needed to begin his career as a chef. Though Andrew is adamant that “you can’t go far wrong with onsite training, so long as it’s an environment of a certain standard, or a place with a good reputation”. After his seven-year stint as head chef at the George Hotel in Christchurch, Andrew moved his focus to running his own restaurants – Burgers & Beers Inc and the recently opened Dragon’s Den cocktail lounge – along with his business partner Tama Haas. While they are popular spots to eat and drink, Andrew says that
opening new restaurants and bars is always a challenge. “You haven’t forged your own identity or your own brand when you’re starting out.” The hours involved can be a killer too, with Andrew having done some 100-hour weeks. “That’s not the norm, but when you want to succeed you give it as much as you can.” The punishing restaurant routine of early starts and late night finishes is something he wants to break, however. Andrew tries to ensure his staff works a standard 40 hours: “Working too many hours doesn’t give the right working atmosphere.” Commitment is still a big part of the job though, Andrew notes. “The new generation is full of multimedia kids with often short-term, ‘in the now’ attitudes. They don’t always fully commit to things. If you want to be a chef, you have to be able to give it your all and tough it out,” he says. That’s how Andrew achieved his long list of awards, medals and accolades – including Best Young Chef, Best Dessert, Best Restaurant and several of the New Zealand Listener awards – through a huge amount of hard work. On top of everything else, assisting in the selection process of contestants and postproduction work for Masterchef New Zealand meant Andrew was able to appear as a guest judge on several occasions. He believes the show offers a great opportunity for people to get into cooking. “It shows a shift from packet food to actual cooking and that is a big motivation of mine.”
If you aim for “nothing, you will hit nothing. Do
what you love and love what you do.” Andrew loves the idea of getting people back into the traditional way of cooking, rather than buying pre-made or shop-bought meals. “Packets are way too convenient! Cook a little bit! Incorporate something from the garden. I love cooking like that.” Writing unit standards and training young chefs, is one of the ways Andrew sees himself giving back to the community. “Stretch them as far as they can,” he says. “They learn a lot more that way because you can only set your own standards through experiences. They can take everything I know, learn it early, get there faster and do it better than I ever did.” Andrew has a message for young chefs just starting out and those contemplating the same path: “If you aim for nothing, you will hit nothing. Do what you love and love what you do.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Have scissors, will travel
Top hairdresser Ed Rapley says that if you have good time-management skills and can communicate well with people, hairdressing could be the career for you.
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fter styling the hair of some of New Zealand’s top models and working alongside some of our top hairdressers, Ed Rapley now runs his own salon in Merivale, Christchurch. Initially wanting to be a fireman because he “liked the big red trucks”, Ed switched to an interest in hairdressing when he reached the end of Year 11. “My mother was a hairdresser and I wasn’t good at school, so I went and did a hairdressing course,” he says. Finding employment wasn’t difficult; he received three job offers straight after finishing his course. There was no way he was going to be allowed straight in with the scissors though. “I was at the basin, shampooing, rinsing hair, rinsing colour off, rinsing perms – there were a lot of perms!” Working for model agencies and competing in hairdressing competitions occupied his time throughout the following years. “I competed in hairdressing competitions for about six years. I won four national titles in that time. I also went to the Schwarzkopf Hairdresser of the Year competition and made it as a finalist.” Many hairdressers coming into the industry want to do model agency, magazine and photographic work, Ed explains, and in that way “it’s a really great industry with many opportunities.” Of course, travelling is another perk of the job. “You only need a small number of tools,” he says. “You can go anywhere in the world and all you need are scissors, combs, brushes, a few hair pins and some hair spray.” It takes a lot of hard work to get to that point though. “You need to be a tactile person and be good at working with your hands,” says Ed. “Time-management skills and being able to communicate with people are very important.” Ed also recommends taking a hairdressing course “as it makes you valuable to a salon.” As owner of Satchmo Hairdressing for the past 15 years, Ed has settled very comfortably into the hairdressing industry. A typical day for him involves cutting 10 to 12 customers’ hair, while his full-time colourist, Caitlin, colours it. Paperwork and administration tasks do take up time, but Ed insists: “I just love the people. A large percentage of my customers end up becoming really good friends of mine.” 74
The Canterbury earthquake resulted in the demolition and relocation of the salon, but that didn’t dampen Ed’s spirits. “It was a challenge and we lost over 26 per cent of our business but it’s slowly building back up. I think it’s almost better now because I think about the business a lot more – that’s definitely a positive.”
After styling the “New hair of some of Zealand’s
top models and working alongside some of our top hairdressers, Ed Rapley now runs his own salon in Merivale, Christchurch.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Protecting our borders
H
Clients can be unpredictable in any business, but when you’re facing hundreds of international travellers entering the country every day, it’s a given.
aving previously worked in private security, motherof-two Jacqui Taylor is now head of immigration for the border at the Christchurch airport – though she often helps to manage the Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Dunedin borders too. In 2006, while Jacqui was working for Customs, the opportunity arose to move to Immigration as she was working very closely with them at the time. However, the immigration management position didn’t arise until March 2013 when the Auckland manager was going overseas for three months and needed a replacement. Jacqui says she was “really lucky to get that opportunity”, and so in June last year when the same opportunity arose in Christchurch, she was prepared to take it on permanently. As a border officer, the 12-hour shifts – three days on, three days off – made parenting quite difficult. However, now she has taken on a Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm role as manager, Jacqui says it’s a lot easier. Yet what happens in those hours is completely unpredictable. On the border, there is no such thing as a typical day. “You never know what is going to turn up,” said Jacqui. “It could be a dull day, where not much happens, or it could be a day where it’s all go and you have a number of alerts.” For the most part though, interacting with passengers and questioning them to make sure they make all the entry requirements is what the job involves. Despite no tertiary qualifications being required for the role of immigration officer, Jacqui says that there is a lot of ongoing training when you’re in the role.
actually get “toYoudimake a positive fference for New Zealand.”
“The legislation and instructions change a lot and you always have to be up to date with documenting, examinations and security features changing.” Limitations for people entering the country often change with the
various skill shortages that New Zealand has. As well as the constantly evolving job, Jacqui enjoys the variety of people she meets and the knowledge that “you actually get to make a positive difference for New Zealand”. “Ultimately you get to decide, under recommendation, who gets to enter the country and who doesn’t,” she says. The downside though is “you can never please everyone with the decisions you make, so it’s hard sometimes to know what’s right”. Nevertheless, immigration is a great career option, Jacqui insists. “In terms of working for a government department, immigration is right up there. It presents a lot of opportunities, not just in New Zealand but internationally too.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Marketing key to
real estate success From leaving school at 16 with only basic school certificate qualifications and working in a cardboard factory, to becoming one of New Zealand’s most trusted brands, Mike Pero certainly knows the pathway to success.
A
s a teenager, Mike didn’t see himself going to university and instead went into full-time work. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, racing motorcycles took his interest. Competing primarily in Australia and New Zealand, Mike took out several championships and to this day still holds the national land speed record for a 350cc motorcycle. In his mid-20s, however, he changed his focus to a career as a pilot, gaining his commercial pilot’s licence and flying for Mt Cook Airlines. In 1990, when Mike was 30 years old, he suddenly had an idea about helping people
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with their mortgages. In 1991 Mike Pero Mortgages launched, becoming New Zealand’s single largest mortgage broking brand – with one of the most memorable advertising jingles. “Most people know me from that!” he says. Mike has since sold this company and moved his focus into building Mike Pero Real Estate, which commenced trading in 2011 and has become New Zealand’s fastest growing real estate company with a team of agents based all over New Zealand. While Mike is not a licensed salesperson himself, his knowledge of real estate marketing and driving initiatives and systems is extensive. He says the marketing of a house is the single most important thing when it comes to selling. “Anyone can put a For Sale sign up on their gate but there is a strategy. Most people who do it privately or by themselves are selling themselves short.” As a company, Mike Pero Real Estate has a huge focus on marketing, knowing that it can significantly alter the price at which a house can sell. Real estate agents sell around two properties per month and can earn on average around $200,000 a year – though Mike claims that some of the more successful agents are earning up to $1,000,000 per year. Although that may sound appealing, Mike says it’s not an easy industry to be in. “It takes a certain type of person to make it in real estate. When I started the business, many sceptics believed I wasn’t that ‘certain
There can be all “sorts of obstacles and challenges.
Don’t blame the system, don’t blame the school, and don’t blame the enemies, because it’s generally the man or woman in the mirror.” type of person’ and wouldn’t make it far. “I had people telling me ‘it won’t last’, ‘we’ve seen it all before’, and giving me three or six months… but the proof is in the pudding and everything has gone particularly well.” That’s not to say that Mike hasn’t faced a few knocks along the way, but his message stands strong: it takes hard work to get you where you want to go. “There can be all sorts of obstacles and challenges. Don’t blame the system, don’t blame the school, and don’t blame the enemies, because it’s generally the man or woman in the mirror.” For students considering entering the industry, Mike reiterates the importance of setting SMART goals (specified, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely) and working on the essential qualities, such as self-motivation, enthusiasm, self-discipline, presentation, communication skills, empathy, honesty, a sense of humour and a willingness to help people. Studying for a National Certificate in Real Estate and registration with the Real Estate Agents Authority are additional requirements. Mike also recommends getting alongside a highly successful agent for knowledge and advice. He himself has spoken to many students along the way and says he’s been impressed with their drive and enthusiasm. “The single biggest thing I have found with school leavers is their desire to succeed.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Saving lives in the water For 22-year-old lifeguard Naomi Darvill, switching back and forth between hemispheres to follow a constant summer is what she lives for. Many other people live because of what she does too – saving others is all part of her job.
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aomi, who has been involved in surf lifesaving since she was 13, has always loved the energy and vibrancy of the job. Not yet old enough to gain any qualifications when she first joined the surf club, she was put into the Rookie Lifeguard Programme, which was where she discovered her passion. “I had some really great mentors who took lifeguarding very seriously, so it only seemed right for me to follow in their wake,” she says. At 14, Naomi gained her general lifeguard award, which required some really in-depth training, before moving up the ranks, away from the Rookie Programme and into the certified world of lifesaving. Stephanie Wessing, aged 18, took a different route to becoming a lifesaver, starting when she was five and training as a volunteer surf lifeguard before deciding to switch to poolside lifesaving at Pioneer Recreation and Sports Centre in Christchurch. “This can be a great part-time option – I really love the job and we always have a lot of fun,” she says. After spending eight seasons as a voluntary lifeguard, Naomi now has a position as a professional lifeguard, spending a few months in New Zealand for the summer before heading over to the southern shores of England
It was just one “things of the coolest I think I’ve
ever done – like something out of a movie.”
during our winter season. At the Sumner Surf Life Saving Club, Naomi is paid for six weeks, at 40 to 45 hours per week, and also spends around 10 hours a month volunteering. In
comparison, England has a 30-week lifesaving season. Staying on top of her game is vital, with training every Wednesday morning to upgrade her skills and keep up her fitness. Naomi explains: “It’s a very different type of fitness being a lifeguard. You have to do lots of short bursts of really high intensity fitness and it’s quite quick recovery.” Being a strong swimmer and keeping as fit as you can cannot be emphasised enough, says Naomi. “Even if you might be better in another area, fitness test training is such a massive thing for a surf job.” Naomi’s favourite part of being a lifeguard is the first aid. “The really intense training in England kickstarted my love for anything gory,” she says, “and certainly helped when I had to face an intoxicated man whose whole cheek was cut so deeply that you could see his teeth.” However, one of her most exciting memories to date was a high-profile rescue in England. “We arrived to this catamaran that was sinking well offshore and these two guys were clinging to it, both hypothermic,” says Naomi. “It was just one of the coolest things I think I’ve ever done – like something out of a movie. We were speeding across the ocean on a jet ski and racing a lifeboat to save a sinking ship. It was crazy.” To anyone wishing to become involved with surf lifesaving, Naomi, also an instructor at times, advises: “Get a good layer of volunteer hours under your belt before you try and step up to be a professional. You need to have a good level of seriousness when it’s needed and also fun, because you work as a team.”
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VOX POPS
“How did you choose what you were going to do
AFTER SCHOOL?” Abbie Dyer - 17
Rachel Dawson - 23
“I had no idea what I wanted to do and university is expensive so I thought it would be better to take some time off and save up some money from working and then go when I know exactly what I want to do.”
Bella Mathews - 18
“I knew that I wanted to move away from home and go to university but I didn’t have a clear-cut feeling of what I wanted to do, so I entered psychology at university because I thought it seemed interesting”.
Taylor Edwards - 19
“I wasn’t entirely sure of what I wanted to do at university but the career adviser at school organised universities to come in and talk to us each week which helped me decide my course and inspired me to definitely go to uni.”
“I had no idea what I wanted to do and I had always wanted to travel the world so I planned out a gap year with Latitude and lived in London for a year which gave me time to decide that I wanted to take up a trade.”
Daytona Hicks - 21 “I dropped out of school before I had even achieved Level 1 because I didn’t enjoy it so I entered some beauty and retail courses at the polytech because I thought I would like it and it would open up some opportunities for better jobs. Now I study online courses and would like to go to university if not achieve more qualifications to build my career.”
Grace Potter - 18 “Originally I entered to do a communications degree because I enjoy the sociable aspect to work as well as the creative side but then I decided to apply for design as it’s my passion and I felt as if I would regret it if I didn’t try it.”
Khan Bell - 21 Natalie Allen - 18 “I knew since I was 10 years old that I wanted to try and become a neurosurgeon so I applied to Auckland University and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
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“I dropped out of school as soon as I could because I didn’t feel like I was learning anything anyway. I wanted to be a flight attendant since I was little so I decided to go to a travel school to try and pursue that.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Thought about a career in the New Zealand Defence Force?
T
he New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is made up of the Navy, Army, and Air Force. NZDF’s primary purpose is to defend New Zealand in times of war, but the Defence Force conducts a range of other activities, such as aiding disaster relief. With over 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 NZDF as an officer straightaway. Officers are the ones who can take control of a situation, command people and resources, and make decisions under pressure.
Skills for life 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 (ITO) or polytech study.
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
Get paid to train The upside to training with NZDF is that you get paid while you learn. New recruits start on a salary of about $31,000 during their initial 12–16 weeks of training. Food and accommodation is included during training. After graduation, the salary jumps to upwards of $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.
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SECTOR PROFILE
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SECTOR This is a large sector that includes industries such as aged care, the defence forces, security, police, and local community organisations, which are all essential for community wellbeing and safety.
As the need for better housing and care for New Zealand’s ageing population increases, there is also a growing demand for more police, corrections, and security officers. Demand for more immigration, customs, and quarantine officers is also growing as the population becomes more internationally mobile and the country’s exports and imports, both legal and illegal, continue to increase. Social and community services are the lifeblood and heart of our society, and careers in these industries can be richly rewarding.
Careers include: yy Doctor yy Nurse yy Midwife yy Teacher yy Community worker yy Counsellor yy Ambulance officer yy Animal control officer
yy Border protection officer yy Police officer yy Corrections officer yy Parking warden yy Social worker yy Soldier yy Taxi driver.
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
SECTOR PROFILE
Shaping young minds Within a nine-year period, three of the Strachan women graduated from Unitec with the same degree – a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Becca Strachan insists that early childhood teaching runs in their blood, with her mother, sister and herself all in love with their profession.
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ecca knew from the age of seven that she wanted to become a kindergarten teacher. “I think it was because Mum worked as an early childhood teacher when I was young and took me into work sometimes, and I saw how happy it made her.” As with most teaching qualifications, a quota of practical hours must be completed over the course of the three-year degree at Unitec. Becca subsequently worked for six years at a preschool, focusing mainly on under-2s, before moving into more of a managerial role. This meant more paperwork and less time with the kids, however, so after a while Becca moved overseas and spent a year teaching English to children in South America and Africa, before returning to New Zealand to teach at a kindergarten for children from one to five. “I love the fact that we work with children rather than telling them what to do – you can start teaching them a love of learning. I love just being right there at that ground level and teaching them the skills that they’ll need throughout their education.” Becca knows that being a friend to the children is central to her teaching role, as is having a good sense of fun. “When you’re doing the Pukeko Stomp in front of 40 adults who have come to watch their children, you can’t take yourself too seriously.” Patience, understanding and, most importantly, being open to change are also crucial requirements, Becca has learned. “You constantly change, the more you teach. I’m a completely different teacher now from what I was 10 years ago – just as the kids grow and learn, you do too!” Teaching children who are at such a young age presents many challenges, some of which can be a little tricky. “Being an early childhood teacher especially, you work with not just the child but with their whole whānau,” says Becca. “So that can be tricky because sometimes whānau want things for their children that you know they›re not quite ready for yet, and finding a compromise is difficult, but part of the job.» Becca believes that being an early
childhood teacher is the most rewarding job there is. “Every day I go home with a sense of accomplishment, like this job is so rewarding! Even a small victory is huge with this age group. At three and four they’re just doing things for the love of it, not because they have to, and you›re there to help them develop that love, passion and interests. “Every day I go home feeling like at least I did something today. Especially on the social side, when they learn how to go and find a new friend – that is a massive victory. When they learn to start writing their name, that›s a huge victory. When they can come in and not cry for their mum and dad for the first time, that›s a huge victory. Or when you can make someone feel better who has fallen over and hurt themselves, that›s a victory in my book.” As if being a kindergarten teacher isn’t already rewarding enough, becoming a mother will only add to her daily victories. With a baby on the way, Becca will be starting a family of her own and says with certainty that after her year of maternity leave she will be raring to get back to work at Lynfield Kindergarten and
I love just being “riground ght there at that level and
teaching them the skills that they’ll need throughout their education.” will by then have a new student to introduce to her class. For all aspiring early childhood teachers, Becca has a few words of wisdom: “I would recommend that you do anything where you can have practical experience. Sometimes you can do a whole degree and then get a job but decide that you actually don›t like it. But just get in there and do it. Give it a go first, because it can be challenging but also very rewarding.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
A shoulder to lean on Offering counsel to those in need is something Richard Carr has always had a passion for.
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ollege chaplain Richard has worked as a careers counsellor, an employee assistance counsellor and a guidance counsellor at a number of schools in New Zealand, with particular expertise in helping students with Asperger’s syndrome. Now, in his college chaplaincy role, Richard continues to provide counselling to students. With a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Education from the University of Canterbury, as well as qualifications from the New Zealand Counselling Skills Institute in Christchurch, Richard has gained not only a wealth of knowledge but also experience throughout his varied career. “It’s quite hard to make a living from simply counselling, and because I
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We are there to “them support and help … to make
sense of what is happening and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.” enjoy variety I have always been a counsellor conjointly with either teaching or preaching, which I find helps me to work most effectively.” Richard handles a huge variety of situations, ranging from family matters, the deaths of loved ones, and depression to just wanting to talk to someone. Over the course of his
experience he has learnt that there are many different ways of approaching issues. With counselling, an open mind is a musthave, as Richard often finds himself looking at the same situation from several different perspectives in order to offer the best support that he can. “At the end of the day, it’s always the client that is at heart, so we have to learn to open our eyes to how the client sees things, as well as offering an objective opinion from a different point of view.” The desire to help people through difficult times in their lives has always been present for Richard. In earlier years, working at a drug and alcohol-related disabilities centre, Richard gained a lot of life experience through the stories of his clients. “I love to meet people and hear about their stories. Everyone has a story and often, just listening, you can gain so much from it, as well as giving them [clients] an outlet for what they may be feeling but are afraid to express to friends or family. “Counselling is something you have to have a passion for, and a passion for people. A lot of it is problem solving. It’s enabling the client to take control of their own lives.” Richard believes that the best part of being a counsellor is changing how people look at themselves. Instead of focusing on negatives, he helps them to focus on positives and teaches people to thrive, not just survive. “We are there to support and help them … to make sense of what is happening and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.” Becoming a counsellor is no job for the meek, however, as some stories can be confronting and heart-wrenching. Being able to walk in another person’s shoes but also being able to snap back to your own reality is something that Richard says is crucial to the job. “Empathy is big. Being able to relate to people obviously, but also detachment is important. We have to be able to walk with someone on their journey and support them without being dragged down by it. Having faith in something, I have found really helps me do this.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Working in the
line of fire Joining the fire service wasn’t something that Andrew Walker had ever really considered, but after hearing a radio ad for recruits that sparked his interest one night after work, he applied the next day and hasn’t looked back since.
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fter nearly 19 years in the New Zealand Fire Service, senior station officer Andrew Walker has no intention of leaving any time soon. “It’s a job for life,” he insists. Originally from the Bay of Plenty, Andrew left school at 16 and went into forestry before later joining the army. “I’ve always quite liked uniform jobs, with the team work and camaraderie, which is why I enjoyed forestry and the army so much. I’m not really a 9 to 5 office-type person.” Whilst in the army, Andrew graduated from Massey University with a management degree, which helped him to open an office supply business before he joined the fire service. Almost 19 years later, he is in charge of Brown Watch Wellington, the regional headquarters of the New Zealand Fire Service. Like all firefighters, Andrew went through the application process and completed a combination of assignments, exams, theory and practical training at the National Training Centre in Rotorua in order to become qualified. “It’s obviously important to be fit and strong, relative to your bodyweight, if you’re going to apply,” he says. “There’s a saying that we like to use: ‘Proper preparation prevents poor
performance’, so it’s important to get all the training processes done properly before going into the service. “This might take a while, depending on the individual, but if you have reasonable academics, reasonable fitness, good determination and good health and you keep plugging away, you’ll make it.” Andrew loves the fact that in the fire service every day is different, which provides the variety and flexibility that ensures there’s never a dull moment. “You get to make a difference in people’s lives and that’s an unbelievably good feeling. Just about everybody likes firefighters and when you’re driving down the street, people stop and wave to us and that’s pretty cool.” Andrew has a very close relationship with his crew. “They are like family to me. You spend 40 hours a week working together – if we go for a drive, all of us go; if we train, all of us train. The ability to get on and mix with other people is really important.” There are other characteristics that set firefighters apart from many other professions. It’s crucial to be calm under pressure and be willing and able to follow instructions without asking questions: something that is really valued in the service. “[The job] can be very claustrophobic and noisy; in most house fires if you’ve got your hand in front of your face you won’t be able to see it, so you’ve got to be comfortable with heights, confined spaces, heat, and water. “We’re all different people and so it’s important to really know your crew and know their strengths so you can make the best of their abilities. Everybody I know in the fire service thinks it’s the best job in the world and I agree one hundred per cent. We’re basically one big family – one that I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of.”
I know in the fire service “thinksEverybody it’s the best job in the world and I agree one hundred per cent.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
A books
A passion for
fter 30-odd years working as a librarian, 18 of which she has worked as the library manager at Scots College in Wellington, Sue Esterman is still just as passionate about the job as when she
first started. At university Sue studied languages. Despite the stereotype that librarians are introverted bookworms who love to read and study, Sue admits that she was not a very good student and much preferred, in fact, to sit in cafes and chat to people. What many people don’t realise, she insists, is that being a librarian requires considerable social skills as you are dealing with people all day long. Although good people skills are important, being a systematic person helps to get through the open polytech library training courses and assists with the daily responsibilities of the job. Sue has always specialised in children’s books and so naturally her favourite part of the job comes from the kids’ reactions. “I love finding awesome new books and then finding that a kid thinks it’s just as awesome as I do. That is the best feeling in the world and you don’t get it very often, but every now and then someone comes back and says that book was wicked or freaking awesome or whatever and it is so lovely to hear.” Sue’s library assistant, Vanessa Carr, brings a fresh perspective to the career of a librarian today. Vanessa helps out with the day-today running of the library, including cataloguing, processing new materials, shelving, reference enquiries and everyday tasks that come up. “I’ve always loved reading, which is really obvious, and when I lived in Australia I worked in a public library for about five years and I loved it so much that when I moved to New Zealand I thought I really wanted to work in a library again.” Vanessa attended Flinders University in South Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in film and English. “I didn’t really go through the conventional route of becoming a librarian through doing any courses or anything like that as it wasn’t originally what I wanted to do but it kind of developed and I ended up loving it.” “I love the environment we work in as librarians, I just feel like it’s always positive. There are always interesting people around and you’re in position where you can really help people and students to learn and just find what they’re looking for.” Both Sue and Vanessa agree that if you’re contemplating becoming a librarian, being a calm and patient person would really work in your favour. Having a positive attitude makes all the difference, not only in the library but in life in general – and a passion for reading wouldn’t go amiss either.
I love the “weenvironment work in as
libra rians, I just feel like it’s always positive.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Keeping our
streets safe
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For more than 20 years, Gaylene Rogers has proudly donned the blue uniform of the New Zealand Police Force and there is not much that she hasn’t done during those two decades.
aylene loves the fact that being a police officer allows her to work in so many different areas of the force – boredom is never a problem as every day is different. “I have worked on the front line – responding to emergency calls for service; I’ve worked in road policing – attending crashes and preventing road trauma, and I’ve worked in communities to prevent crime and rebuild the sense of community. “I have also been a youth education officer and have gone into schools to work with youth; I have been a prosecutor in the courts and I am now on a national technology project rolling out new desktops,” she says. Right from an early age, Auckland-born Gaylene wanted to become a policewoman. “When I was in primary school a local police officer came and spoke to the assembly on their role in society and I thought it sounded really cool. From that point onwards I knew that I was going to become a police officer myself.” After completing school, Gaylene spent around 10 years in the work force before eventually joining the police. “I visited recruiting on my 18th birthday to start the joining process but back then it was extremely hard for females to join the force (not like it is now) so it was a difficult process, but one that I’m very glad I stuck to.” While the theory side of Police College was demanding, Gaylene found the fitness aspect particularly challenging, but perseverance and focus got her over the line in the end. “On the testing day you sit all the written requirements first; once these are completed you then sit the physical side, which comprised a run, press-ups, a jump test and a grip test. “As I was completing the run and I was nearing the end, I was passing people who had stopped and given up and were sitting on the side of the road. That made me all the more determined to keep going.”
Every police officer should have certain fundamental characteristics to help them succeed in their career, Gaylene believes. Being outgoing is a useful trait to have, she says, as well as being tolerant. “You can at times see and deal with people who are at their worst. So having common sense and good interpersonal skills, plus being a team player, are all traits that will serve you well in the force.” One fact that is sure to catch the attention of many aspiring police officers, is that the New Zealand Police offer one of the highest starting salaries of any profession, with Police College graduates earning a starting salary of more than $52,000. On top of her already impressive resumé, Gaylene is working towards a degree in management through Otago Polytech, having already completed some papers at Auckland and Massey Universities. In the meantime, Gaylene does not see herself leaving the force any time soon. “I love my job so am quite content to just keep on doing what I am doing at least for the next 10 years and by then I could be close to retiring. “Helping people and working with communities to develop a cohesive problemsolving partnership is really rewarding and is something that I am very proud to have made a career out of.”
Helping people and working with “communi ties … is something that I am very proud to have made a career out of.”
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This article is sponsored by SAE: http://auckland.sae.edu
Getting the best out of
SAE creative media institute A week in the life of an SAE student Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Today the class is in the studios with our lecturer running a practical session before we get let loose in the studio on our own. I love our classroom lectures, but for me the hands-on tutorials are definitely a highlight of this course.
Mixed my first live band today! Our class was in charge of running sound at SAE’s In The Mix social event at the live music venue down the road, there were some awesome bands playing and I was on the mixing desk for one of them. Pretty nerve-wracking stuff being in charge of their sound, but a great buzz afterwards.
Recently we’ve been learning about audio for film and TV, and today our lecturer is teaching us about the process of creating sound effects as a foley artist. I’ve been looking forward to this module as I’m keen to collaborate with some of the film students on campus to start building a soundtrack portfolio. I love that we get to mix it up with students from other disciplines and see how they work too!
Tuesday Overnight studio sessions are a great time to get work done. Tonight a classmate and I are recording drums for an up-and-coming indie band I met at a show last week... we might be a bit jaded in the morning but we’ve got the recording studio to ourselves all night, can’t wait!
THURSDAY My study group are working in the common room before class - we’ve got an exam in a month and we want to make sure we’re on top of it! Today we’re brushing up on the history of recorded music. Hard work, but great to be studying a topic I’m really interested in.
Saturday Today I’m in the studios tracking vocals for my recording project. The studios open on Saturdays too, great for students like me who are also working part time as it means we can work on our projects whenever it suits. The studio supervisor had some great tips for getting a good vocal sound, very inspiring having experienced pros on hand to help us out!
How you can contact SAE Auckland: Phone: 09 373 4712 Fax: 09 373 4713 Email: auckland@sae.edu Website: auckland.sae.edu 86
This article is sponsored by CTC Aviation: www.ctcwings.com/nz
Make your career fly with CTC Aviation is a global leader in airline pilot training and is recognised across the industry for training the highest quality pilots, having state-of-the-art facilities with highly qualified instructors, and for sustaining strong partnerships with some of the world’s leading airlines.
CTC Aviation
Each year CTC Aviation in New Zealand trains approximately 350 cadets from 16 nations for our partner airlines around the world. Our current fleet of 38 aircraft includes 16 glass cockpit Cessna 172s equipped with a state-of-the-art Traffic Advisory System (TAS), 14 DA20 Katana single engine aircraft, and 8 twin engine DA42 aircraft. CTC Aviation moved to its Hamilton base in 2004 and officially opened its purpose-built training facility in 2005. This training facility houses lecture rooms, briefing rooms, a crew room, planning and operation facilities, a dedicated Ground School facility and two fixed-base DA42 simulators. We also have a purpose-built accommodation facility a short drive from the training centre that can house up to 200 students in single and twin studio units. This accommodation facility ‘Clearways’ is equipped with communal lounges, kitchens, laundries, sport facilities and outdoor entertainment areas and is a great home away from home for our trainees from all around the world. CTC Aviation’s range of innovative and exciting programmes includes the Diploma in Aviation Flight Instructor Programme. This course is eligible for student loan funding and has a sponsored Flight Instructor course along
with the opportunity to obtain a highly sort after job as a Flight Instructor with CTC Aviation on graduation. Another exciting opportunity is our Qatar Airways MPL programme which is 18 months long and sees you graduate as a pilot Qatar Airways based in Doha flying A320s. Qatar Airways has one of the most modern aircraft fleet across a worldwide network. Successful applicants will be made a conditional offer of employment from Qatar Airways and will complete their training at CTC Aviation’s state-of-the-art crew training centres in the UK and NZ. Our next Open Day is planned for the 5th of September 2015; details for this event will be uploaded onto our website in the next few weeks. Check out our website for more information on our programmes and to book your spot for one of our Open Days.
How you can contact CTC Aviation: Phone: 07 843 3304 Website: www.ctcwings.com/nz
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LIFE
The parents’ guide
to the empty nest
How to say goodbye
If your child leaves home to study, this can be bloody hard – even harder than when you first dropped them off at school when they were wee ones. Making a plan for the initial goodbye gives a framework and can be comforting. It’s worth sorting out the practical aspects in advance. Are you going to drop them off in their new home, or are they getting there by themselves? How will you travel, where will you park, what public transport will you use? Once you’re there, how long are you going to stay? Resolving these issues well ahead of time means that on the day itself all the technical issues are sorted, and you ’only’ have the emotional aspect to cope with. Good luck, bring a hanky, and remember, if you have a solid relationship with your child, they will probably visit frequently. Moving out is a huge emotional adventure for them, so they’ll need your comfort and support. Communication is key. You need to give your child space to become independent and enjoy their new life, but staying in touch and finding out how they are is healthy.
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Parents, this page is specifically for you. So your child has reached the end of school and you’re preparing them – and yourself – for the next step. Are you really ready for them to move out? Are they?
The empty nest is a trying time, and the emotions can catch you by surprise. The first signs of unexpected emotions may come as early as when your child receives confirmation of their university place, says Celia Dodd, author of The Empty Nest: How to Survive and Stay Close to Your Adult Child. “Or it may come as their room is tidied up, ready for their imminent departure. For others, it comes at the moment they say goodbye at the halls of residence. And for some, it’s later still – perhaps when they see a mum with her child in the supermarket or they walk past a primary school. “Of course, you’re proud of your child’s achievements and share their excitement, but deep down, it is easy to feel distressed that they’re off. Mums may be going through the menopause, which makes them feel over-emotional anyway, or if they haven’t worked and have invested everything in bringing up their children, they may feel, ‘What now?’ “Dads, meanwhile, often feel they can’t admit to their sadness down the pub or with their friends and so lack the support that mums often get,” says Celia. While emotional guidance is beyond the scope of JETmag, there are practical suggestions we can make.
Teach your kids survival skills � How to budget – study allowance and part-time work will only get your child so far. Teach your child to live within their means. It might shock them, but it’s an important life lesson. � How to cook cheap and healthy meals – this is a given (otherwise, it’s ramen noodles and Burger King). Bite. co.nz has some great easy recipes. � Tenancy rules – knowledge of their rights and responsibilities will make living away from home less stressful. � How to navigate the city – teach them the bus or train system and the best cycle lanes (if they exist) to their institution or workplace. � How to unclog a sink – useful if your child is, how shall we say … a bit gross. � How to sew – important if your child is a bit rough and tumble.
� How to do laundry – bringing bundles of clothes home is only cute the first few times. Teach them the strange metaphysics of the washing machine and iron. � Documentation and paperwork – your child will need to fill in plenty of forms (for uni, for work, for Studylink, etc.). If they’re not sure, you can help them, but it’s best you teach them where they can get ready access to documents such as their IRD number, their birth certificate, passport, etc. � How to have adult relationships – your child probably has good friends, but as you know, friendships change when you leave school and new, more mature connections are made at uni or in the workplace. Your now-adult child will also become sexually active (if they weren’t already). Have ‘that’ talk with them before they leave school. It’s one of your final acts as a parent before your child becomes an independent adult.
EDUCATION
Missed out? It’s not the end of the world
It’s natural to freak out if you missed out on the courses you wanted. While it is a kick in the guts, your chance at your dream career is far from over. Didn’t get the NCEA You didn’t get credits? picked? yy Check your exam papers. Did you miss by just a few credits? Have your NCEA results reviewed with NZQA. yy No excuse, you just mucked up? It may not be too late to make up your NCEA credits NZQA may accept NCEA results up to 28 February. Contact your school as possible to see if you can do more work and earn some credits. yy You could also earn credits through Te Kura – the Correspondence School of New Zealand. You will have to delay your uni study until you get the credits. yy If this doesn’t work, consider doing a university preparation course or a national certificate in your chosen field. This may give you the credits you need to enter the course you want next time.
Getting into tertiary study is like being picked for teams sports in the gym. People get picked last and some miss out. Talk to the course provider – is there a waiting list? In the meantime, look for another course provider. If you can, try another institution. You could always try to transfer into your chosen course provider later on.
Time for a rethink Maybe it was too much to ask to get into first year med with only ‘Achieved’ grades. That’s not the end of your health career, though! Explore a bit and find some jobs that you can get into – and are enjoyable. Look at some of the inspiring people profiled in this mag, complete the quiz on page 8, or check out the Careers New Zealand jobs database: www.careers.govt.nz/jobs If all else fails, why not take a gap year and work or travel. You’ll get money towards future study and find out what kind of work you enjoy. There is nothing like having to clean up pub toilets to make you appreciate the joys of study. There’s no shame in changing your career or course plans. You’re still a teenager – it’s ok not to have all the answers straight away. We change our career paths many times in our lives. Why not start now? Source: Careers New Zealand.
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SECTOR PROFILE
MANUFACTURING AND TECHNOLOGY SECTOR This 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.
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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.
Careers include: yy Baker yy Biotechnologist yy Butcher yy Panelbeater yy Electrician yy Food technologist yy Medical technologist yy Tyre technician yy Production planner yy Chemical production operator yy Recycler/dismantler yy Cabinetmaker yy Fabrication engineer yy Water/waste water treatment operator yy Dairy technician yy Jeweller yy Clothing marker/cutter
SECTOR PROFILE
Bored?
Try your hand at coding Budding entrepreneur and self-taught web designer Joseph Daymond could well become New Zealand’s very own Mark Zuckerberg.
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t only 19, Joe, who is currently studying commerce and media studies at Auckland University, has already launched his own online magazine website, Templark, specialising in online pop culture, news and media. Despite the widely held opinion that web design is only for computer whizz kids, Joe insists that’s not the case at all. “The thing that people don’t realise is that web design and setting up a website is actually really easy,” he says. “A lot of people see the coding and the numbers and everything and it all looks daunting, but even if you just spend 20 minutes watching YouTube clips, you’ll get the gist of it, and if you’re motivated enough it all just builds on from there.” In his final year of school, Joe found that he had quite a bit of spare time on his hands and so what started out as just a boredom buster, learning to code websites, turned out to be a possible career option. “You don’t have to be a genius or an overly creative person to design websites, you just have to be motivated and open to trying new things that haven’t necessarily been done before,” he says. After about six months of teaching himself to code from YouTube videos and practising creating websites, Joe initiated the launch of Templark. The online magazine aimed at young males but open to all was an idea that Joe had always hoped would come to fruition one day. Originally planning on launching the Templark project as a printed
magazine, he found that with his newly developed web design skills, his idea of a print magazine for young men could actually be a website instead. “I was always someone who was interested in a lot of different things, whether it be music, fashion or films, but I’d never found somewhere that had all those things in one place. So I thought surely if I’m thinking like this, there must be other people out there thinking the same thing. And that’s really how the idea was born – I just wanted a place where people could browse a wide range of different interests in one location.” In this technological age, Joe believes that web designers will be the most sought after professionals in the next five to 10 years, so after completing his Bachelor of Commerce Joe plans on studying computer science in the hope of further advancing his web designing career. “At school I had no idea that I would have even been interested in web designing and coding, but after giving it a go I realised that I actually had a passion for it,” he says. “And that’s what it’s really about, just finding something you’re passionate about and that you enjoy, then looking for a way to make that
t have “toanYoubeoverladon’genius or y creative
person to design websites, you just have to be motivated and open to trying new things that haven’t necessarily been done before.” into a career – you know, something you can do every day – and that’s the beauty of web designing for me.”
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SECTOR PROFILE
Born to bake Despite the early morning starts, baker Diljeet Singh loves his work and believes that training for a career in cookery and bakery set him on the right path – a path he has never regretted.
When I see the “finished product I always feel really accomplished and quite proud of my work, so that is always an awesome feeling.”
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fter spending two years studying hotel management in Switzerland, Diljeet returned to India before opting for a change of pace by moving to New Zealand in 2007. Here Diljeet furthered his study by pursuing a Level 5 diploma in cookery and bakery at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT). Moving to New Zealand was a bit of a challenge initially for Diljeet but after eight years he considers himself a Kiwi through and through. “I decided to move to New Zealand because at the time a lot of my friends were coming here to study and I heard that it was a really nice country and easy to live in. People here were welcoming and easy to talk to.” After completing the one-year course, Diljeet found work as a chef at a Lone Star restaurant in Taranaki. “Being a chef is a little different from being a baker; it’s a lot more pressure, especially when it’s a full house. You have to be really efficient and quick, which are good skills, but sometimes [the pressure] didn’t let me enjoy the job and I always felt like someone was breathing down my neck to get the meals out.” When he moved to Auckland, Diljeet became a baker, first working in a cafe before working in the bakery at Countdown. “With being a baker there is still a lot of pressure, because there are certain deadlines that you have to have the products ready by. It’s different though because it is mass 92
production and so you are working on making a lot of one thing, rather than making a lot of different things at once, which is what I had to do as a chef.” As a baker, Diljeet has noticed that the industry is really culturally diverse. He enjoys learning not only about baking but also about people from different backgrounds. “Also, like any job, when I see the finished product I always feel really accomplished and quite proud of my work, so that is always an awesome feeling.” Diljeet has become used to rising at 2.30am and the change in sleeping patterns. Usually finishing work at 11.30am, he sleeps in two shifts so he can find time to spend with his family and also get enough rest before the next shift. Diljeet’s family often reap the tasty rewards of his labours. “I really enjoy making bread because I can always vary it to make it taste a little different, and my family think it’s really yummy as well, so it’s always good to be able to use my work skills in my daily life.”
For those considering becoming a baker or a chef, a love of cooking is obviously a given, but also Diljeet insists that good time-management skills, organisation and creativity are traits all good bakers should have. “It’s a lot of hands-on work and getting your fingers into dough and things like that. At the same time being able to multitask is key because you’re cooking, creating, planning and cleaning all at the same time, so it’s busy, but never boring.”
SECTOR PROFILE
Sewn with soul Maddie Morrison taught herself how to sew at a young age and her passion for style and clothing has been growing ever since.
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is key to success, “soPersistence hopefully it will all pay off in the near future.”
lthough she doesn’t consider herself a fashionista just yet, Maddie has big plans for her future in the clothing industry. She has always had a talent for making things and was always considered the creative one in her group. “I dug up a handbag recently that I had made completely out of my dad’s old ties, and even though it’s really embarrassing to see now, Mum kept it all these years and thinks it’s awesome.” While at school Maddie really enjoyed materials technology and photography, but found it frustrating that there were so many creative restrictions. As a result, Maddie attended weekly classes at Inverlochy Art School after school, which allowed her to take charge of her own work and unleash her creative side. “Basically all it was, was a group of sewing machines and you could just go in and make whatever you wanted. There were some really experienced tutors there who helped you if you asked, but mostly it was self-taught and really allowed me to just practise the practical side of things without having to delve too much into the importance of certain fabrics and so on.” Although creativity is obviously an important trait to have as a designer, Maddie quickly realised that the fashion world was very competitive, and it does, in fact, pay to understand the various qualities of certain fabrics. She then completed a Bachelor of Creative Technologies at WelTec and turned her focus to starting up her own business. “I often found myself drawing a lot, and so the guy I was dating at the time thought that we would be cool if I printed some of the designs on some shirts. Eventually we decided to start up our own clothing brand, which is called United Souls or US.” After initially just printing designs on T-shirts, Maddie decided to make use of her sewing ability and began altering
the shirts and singlets so that each had its own unique edge. Starting a fashion label takes more than creativity alone, however – it takes money, and lots of it. Maddie subsequently began work at a retail outlet with a good reputation for the brands they supply and the quality of clothing they stock. “The store that I work for is really supportive of aspiring designers and so a couple of us who work there have pitched our ideas to the
owners and they have agreed to stock a few of our designs, which I hope will get [our name] out there.” Despite the gradual progress, Maddie hopes that one day United Souls can be held in the same regard as brands such as Huffer or I Love Ugly, but until then she continues to create for the love of the art and, of course, for occasional costume parties. “Creativity is always great to have but I’ve definitely learnt that, especially with going out on your own, it’s a big risk and the fashion industry is really quite hard to break into. I’ve been given good feedback though from other fashion designers who I hold in high regard, and persistence is key to success, so hopefully it will all pay off in the near future.”
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App-solutely
fascinating App developer/entrepreneur Sebastian HallamClarke already has four registered apps available for free download and has big plans for his future in software development.
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eb was introduced to the wonderful world of coding by his primary school computer teacher through an MIT computer language programme for kids, called Scratch. He created some simple games and his passion for app development was born. “I really enjoyed how I’d be able to spend 15 minutes working and putting things together to then create a game that I could share with my family and friends.
I love the “ feeling of solving the problem and the solution makes peoples’ lives easier.”
“After a while I moved onto more complicated things and looked at making apps that would simplify tasks on my computer. For example, I made an app that with the click of one button could close all the programmes open on your computer, which wasn’t much use but it was all good practice.” Seb’s Mac-based apps can all be accessed online and downloaded for free at his website (www.zibity.com) where users also have the option of giving a donation if they enjoy the app. Today his apps are used in 170 countries around the world, with one of his most successful apps being MacDrop Any. The 17-year-old whizz kid insists that MacDrop Any is a simple idea that anyone could have come up with. “Essentially MacDrop Any is an add-on for a number of cloud storage services that lets 94
you synchronise any folder from your computer with any device you want. So I could access any single folder on my computer from any device from anywhere in the world, for free.” MacDrop Any has been downloaded over 350,000 times. Seb enjoys the problem-solving aspect of app development, and says that learning to fail is just as important as learning to succeed. “I love the feeling of solving the problem and the solution makes peoples’ lives easier.” Despite the fact that Seb’s earnings come from donations at the moment, the benefits of app development mean that once the app is created, Seb can leave it alone and it will continue to earn money through donations. “You can put in a lot of work and create an app and then when you’re busy, like I was with school and stuff, I was still earning a few dollars a day from donations, so it felt good to have my hard work earning on its own.” Seb attributes his success as an app developer to being analytical and patient, but also loving a challenge. “There’s also an element of wanting to teach yourself things and being comfortable not always knowing the answer but knowing that you can find out the answer yourself.” With an already impressive CV listing his achievements to date, including being academic Dux of his school and his experience with app development companies, Seb is now planning to study computer science and economics in the US, having been accepted at Princeton. Post-degree, Seb intends to continue app development, with an eye on all the
lucrative opportunities available for developers these days. “You don’t really need anything special to get started. If you have access to a computer you can start learning this, no matter whether you have a teacher or not. It’s just a matter of going onto Google and typing ‘teach me how to code’ and there are dozens of free resources. It’s an industry that is massively growing, the salaries are fantastic so you can be pretty sure that if you go into computer programming you will get a job at the end of your degree – oh, and it’s really fun!”
SECTOR PROFILE
Sparky in training
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James Goldswain loves the variety of his job as an apprentice electrician – whether it is working under a house and coping with confined spaces, dirt and mice one day, or working on a ladder high up on a pole the next day, it’s always different.
t was James’s dad who originally sparked his interest. Being an electrician himself, James’s dad had brought him up to be handson and so it was always likely that he’d follow in his father’s footsteps. James left school halfway through his final year after deciding to become an electrician, and with help from the school careers advisor, he signed up to a training programme provided by The Electrical Training Company (ETCO). After completing an electrical training camp in Auckland, James returned to Wellington to await an apprenticeship placement with an electrical company. “ETCO basically takes you through a twoweek bootcamp and goes through all the basics, from wiring and sockets through to theory work and safety training. It sets you up with an edge when they finally place you with a company, and the only requirement that’s needed to enter is NCEA Level 2 science, maths and English.” Along with the variety, James also enjoys the thrill of the job. “[It is] obviously quite dangerous, as you can get a 240 volt electrical shock from most household sockets, and you’re dealing with live electricity and stuff so there’s a little bit of an adrenaline rush there, which is pretty exciting. At the same time these days there is a big focus on safety, that’s the main thing, you’d rather get a job done slower and safer than getting a job done faster and putting yourself at risk. So a lot of what I learnt and am still learning is around keeping myself and others safe, but safety mostly comes down to common sense.” James has been an apprentice electrician for nearly six months now, and with three years left on his apprenticeship he feels that he definitely made the right decision to leave school and pursue the career that he did. Few jobs will pay you to study, but the electrical apprenticeship scheme does just that. As well as gaining firsthand experience on the job, James also attends night classes once a week.
One of the “about good things being
an electrician is that you can do it anywhere, and there’s always a demand.”
“Being paid to study and learn is definitely a big bonus, but an apprenticeship is a lot different from studying at uni or at school,” says James. “Coming straight out of school and working 7.30am to 5pm, five days a week, took a bit of getting used to, and with night classes on Wednesday it was a bit of a longer day – but despite the long hours the last thing on my mind is being bored.” James believes that being paired with an experienced electrician and learning on the job suits him much more than being in
a classroom environment. Not afraid to get his hands dirty, James loves the tradesman’s lifestyle, and thinks that as long as you’re keen to try something new, relatively fit and have some good interpersonal skills, then being an electrician could be a good career choice. James has his sights set on travelling to the UK and elsewhere once he has finished his apprenticeship. “One of the good things about being an electrician is that you can do it anywhere, and there’s always a demand for electricians, especially as appliances become more complicated. And so being able to travel with my trade is something I look forward to, for sure.”
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