Next Step Magazine - Issue 5 by NxtStep

NZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #1 Careers Magazine for school Leavers

read t s u m A ents, d u t S r fo and s t n e r a P rs! Teache

Proudly partnering with www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Issue 5

WHY LIMIT YOUR CAREER CHOICE?

Business Advisor

Risk Analyst

Chief Executive Officer

Board Member

Forensic Accountant

Entrepreneur Business Analyst

Auditor

Stockbroker Sustainability Accountant Financial Planner Chief Financial Officer

Strategist

Tax Specialist

By becoming a CA, you can live life your way. From re-shaping the fortunes of a failing company or changing the world in your own social enterprise. The choice is yours. charteredaccountantsanz.com/students/pathways 2

From the Next Step Team

Welcome to the fifth edition of Next Step magazine, our best edition yet! What an exciting year it has been so far! If ever there was a time for focusing on youth and career opportunities, 2016 is it. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen the successful launch of the Youth Pledge Partner Agreement by Auckland Council, establishment of a new tertiary institution in Canterbury and an ever-growing awareness of youth employment trends across the country. We are very proud to be a part of this forward momentum towards the ultimate goal of reducing youth unemployment rates, but also encouraging youth into valuable and meaningful careers. This issue of Next Step is reflective of this, with editorials covering jobs across a range of industries as well as some insight into what the graduate of 2016 looks like – visit pages 26 – 28 for more on this. Whilst we can only fit so much between these 48 pages, our continued collaboration with digital careers platform, SchoolConnect, means you can carry on researching a wealth of opportunities online. This year we’re also proud to be supported by Careers NZ and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand – two prominent players in the youth employment and careers sector.

Contents Setting Young People on the Path to Success

What is SchoolConnect

Doing the Extras gets you the Job - University of Waikato

Backing Potential - BDO

Heating up Healthcare - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

On the Set Of Your Future - Weltec

Make Some Noise - Mainz

A Star On The World Stage - Orion Health

The Road to the Top - Mainfreight

We are sure that you’ll enjoy the insights that this issue of Next Step brings – should you have any compliments or comments please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Interested in Health and Wellness? - New Zealand College of Chiropractic

Scholar Profile - Russell McVeagh

The Next Step Team Publisher: Green Door Design

How to use SchoolConnect

It’s Number Crunch Time - Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand

Smooth Operator - Vodafone

Design your World with Opus - Opus

The 2016 Graduate - Talent Solutions

Doing Good Better - Love What You Do - Teach First NZ

Start Making an Impact on your Future Today - EY

Studying at Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic could mean international travel - Waiariki

Build Connections in Cyberspace - Careers NZ

Editor: Maddy Gwynne Graphic Designer: Magdalena Stanuch SchoolConnect Contributors: Tim Watts and Robert Milne Copywriters: Miah Dixon, Rhianna Lennox and

Tarannum Shaikh Next Step© 2016. Published by Green Door Design Limited. No part of this publication may be replicated, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, internet, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers. Green Door Design Limited has put measures in place to ensure the exactness of the information in this publication; however, they accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or subsequent consequences. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the editor, publisher, Green Door Design Limited and its related parties.

Interested in being in the next issue of this magazine ? Contact us!

Digitise your Talents in the Online Marketplace - Careers NZ

Send your Career into Audit - Deloitte

Engineer a Brighter Future - Competenz

Victoria Student is Taking her Passion to the World Victoria University of Wellington

A Secondary School Student’s Workplace Survival Guide

What’s the Buzz on Beekeeping? - Comvita

For any editorial, advertising or general queries you may have regarding Next Step Magazine please get in touch.

Study Smarter with a School Leaver Scholarship

Window Shopping for a Career - try it before you buy it!

Maddy Gwynne 09 307 7858 maddyg@greendoordesign.co.nz www.greendoordesign.co.nz

It’s a Plumb Job - Masterlink

Xero in on your Career - Xero

Online Tips and Tricks

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Setting young people on the path to success The core business of secondary school education is to instil in our students a life-long passion for learning, solid values of citizenship, and the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their chosen careers. Assisting young people to decide what those careers can be is also a vital part of what we do. Entering tertiary education or the workforce can be a daunting prospect for teenagers, with a universe of options available to them – many more than when I finished high school all those moons ago!

The process of students defining a pathway beyond graduation begins long before they enter their senior years of schooling and start to accumulate NCEA credits or work towards other qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma we offer here at Saint Kentigern College. From the early years of their education, students are exposed to a wide range of people and experiences that will influence what they choose to do when they leave our care. After their parents and family, the most prominent of these influences are students’ teachers. It is crucial that teachers are passionate about their specialist subjects and can inspire the same enthusiasm in their students. Recently, a former student of Saint Kentigern College, Air Vice Marshall Peter Stockwell spoke at our Old Collegians dinner. Peter spent 41 years in the military, rising to the ranks of Chief of Air Force and Commander of Joint Forces. He revealed his decorated career was inspired by the foundation Headmaster of our College, the Reverend Dr Adam MacFarlan, a distinguished war hero. As well as sharing their passions, teachers need to recognise students’ own dreams and goals and work hard to encourage and develop these. Students are also provided with many opportunities within and outside the classroom that will inform their career choices. Visits to the College by experts from the workforce allow students to discover the types of employment and career opportunities available, as do trips to and placements in work environments to see where their particular pathway may take them. Careers centres have a wealth of information and contacts to help match a pathway to a student’s skills, values, interests and ambitions. Careers advisors are outstanding at facilitating students to answer questions about the future life they want to live and what they want to achieve.

NextStep//ISSUE 5

Meet Steve , Saint Kenti Principal of gern Colleg e Resources such as Next Step magazine and the SchoolConnect website are also valuable in opening young peoples’ eyes to the infinite number of career possibilities obtainable. It is of utmost importance that students finish secondary school with the highest level of qualifications they can achieve, in all of their subjects, in order to compete for places at universities and in the aggressive job market. Career goals and ambitions can change, so young people need to be equipped with the best possible credentials in order to follow and reach whatever aspiration they finally decide upon. They must be constantly challenged to strive for excellence in their work, and apply themselves fully across all facets of school life. Saint Kentigern prides itself on delivering an all-round education, encompassing academic, cultural, sporting and service opportunities, so that our graduates can succeed in whatever fields they choose. By emphasising the need to aim for the highest standards in their school work, a sound education will also give students the qualities they need to be a valuable member of the workforce. When knowledge and skills are complimented by an ingrained work ethic, personal responsibility, respect for others and self-confidence, young people will have all the tools they require to fulfil their career ambitions. I have been involved in education for 42 years, including 26 years as a Headmaster. In that time, the thrill I receive from hearing from former students who have gone on to realise their dreams has never diminished. I encourage all students to make use of every resource available to them to make the best possible career decisions and wish you all the best in the pursuit of your goals. I also thank Maddy, Rob and Tim for the part they play in informing New Zealand’s youth about their potential futures.

Steve Cole

Principal of Saint Kentigern College

Follow SchoolConnect on

What is ? t c e n n o C l Schoo SchoolConnect.co.nz is a popular website created for students, parents and careers counsellors. This website offers you further study options, career entry pathways and employment opportunities to enable you to make the best choice for your future. It’s not the new Wikipedia – it’s more than just a website with a bunch of information. With a range of resources including discussion forums, testimonials and quizzes, there is something for everyone.

Jobs Working during school doesn’t have to stay part-time when you finish. Tertiary study isn’t for everyone and SchoolConnect understands this. Visit the Jobs section – a job board, with vacancies specifically for young people. This ensures that you are aware of employment opportunities that exist for school-leavers.

Study The Study section of SchoolConnect can help you carve out your path in your chosen field. Find out what (or if!) you need to continue studying your favourite subjects after high school. Check out different tertiary institutes and choose the programme that offers you the best options. You can choose an institute by location, institute and course offerings. Scholarship opportunities are also on the website, with hundreds of different types – just pick and choose!

Careers Even if you think you know exactly what you need to do to build your career, sometimes you just miss something. The Careers section of SchoolConnect prepares you for this. It provides valuable information about hundreds of different roles and the qualifications and experience needed to get them. This is also where you can find testimonials of young individuals who are currently working in their chosen field.

Flip through NextStep and see what grabs your attention or take our Careers Quiz on schoolconnect.co.nz. For a step by step guide on how to best use our website turn to page 17.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

MANAGEMENT Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Accounting

BACKING POTENTIAL

MICHAEL NELSON Corporate Finance Graduate BDO Tower, Auckland CBD

Michael gives us a great insight into the life of a Corporate Finance graduate and the awesome team culture that exists at BDO. #jobenvy! WHAT DOES WORKING IN A CORPORATE FINANCE ROLE ACTUALLY INVOLVE? One of the reasons I love working in the Corporate Finance team is the variety of work I’m exposed to on a day-to-day basis. No two days are the same which keeps me on my toes and means I’m always learning and developing new skills. Corporate Finance involves a number of things including providing advice on the buying and selling of businesses, due diligence reviews, business valuations and mergers and acquisitions. This means that I do a lot of company research, report writing, databook compilations and data analysis. WHAT IS THE CULTURE LIKE AT BDO? The best part about working for BDO is definitely the people and culture. Since starting with the firm, I’ve been amazed at how friendly and supportive everyone is and how quickly I’ve been made to feel a part of the team. From day one I’ve been given meaningful work which is really exciting and challenging. On top of this, there is also a very active social element to BDO. Since starting in October, I’ve taken part in numerous social events like bowling, corporate fun runs, BDO’s community day, themed end-of-month drinks, Christmas parties and even a boat party. We also have drinks after work every Friday which is a great chance to mix and mingle with everyone from the various departments throughout the firm. At the most basic level the culture at BDO is simply a reflection of the people and the values of the firm. BDO is full of great people who work hard to build strong relationships and deliver excellence while backing each other and getting the job done.

www.bdo.nz/careers 8

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We sat down with Michael Nelson, a Corporate Finance graduate from BDO’s Auckland CBD office to have a chat about what it’s like working at BDO.

HOW DO YOU FEEL “BACKED BY BDO”? It’s all about the support I receive from my team and the company as a whole. Managers and Partners feel more like coaches than bosses. They help me develop my skills by offering advice, guidance and feedback to make me a better ‘player’ for the team. Positive feedback on aspects where I excel is combined with equally positive input regarding areas I can improve on. My superiors constantly push me and give me challenging work, and no matter how busy they are, they take time to explain things to me to aid in my progression. Knowing I’m worth their time – that makes me feel backed by BDO. WHAT IS ONE KEY TIP YOU WOULD GIVE TO STUDENTS LOOKING AT A CAREER IN ACCOUNTING? Be organised. Make sure you know when graduate applications open and close and try to get your application in as early as possible. Being organised will also ensure you have the time to perfect your cover letter, practice your psychometric testing, and prepare for an interview, all of which will help you in the application process. The other main thing I would recommend is actually going to the university recruitment events. Going to these events is the perfect opportunity to meet the people involved in the recruiting process and stand out from the crowd by showing that you’re a great fit for the company and the specific team you want to join.

Think you’d enjoy working for BDO? They have graduate intakes every year! Check out their website and social media feeds for more info. linkedin.com/company/bdo-new-zealand instagram.com/bdo_newzealand facebook.com/bdonewzealand twitter.com/bdonewzealand

Engineering Maritime

HEATING UP HEALTHCARE Janet Van put her passion for engineering to a positive use when she joined the product development team at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. She’s proof that it’s cool to be smart! Name

Janet Van

Organisation you work for

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Role Product Development Engineer High School Westlake Girls’ High Tertiary Education University of Auckland Degree BE (Hons) Mechatronics Engineering; BCom majoring in Commercial Law & Economics What I do I started three years ago as a student. I now work full-time in the Surgical Humidification team, which involves designing and improving our HumiGard system. The product humidifies and heats dry, cold CO2 that is used in laparoscopic and open surgeries, to prevent the desiccation of tissue due to evaporation. Ultimately, we work to enhance patient care and wellbeing during and after surgeries. Much of what we do is very cutting-edge; so some days I meet with nurses to learn what they want in a product, and then I research, design, and test out various concepts. My job is always different and exciting. It’s nice to be in a role where I’m not stuck behind my desk being a CAD monkey or only coding!

My skills I came in with a very broad, shallow understanding of programmes like CAD, LabVIEW and basic practical skills regarding workshop machinery. Now I have a vast amount of technical knowledge of LabVIEW, as well as technical skills such as being able to use the CNC machine, and to do injection moulding.

My soft skills have also been developed – I have been able to improve my professional communication to be more effective in the workplace. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has an awesome culture where we are encouraged to do home projects using the range of high quality tools and machinery. The laser cutter is definitely my machine of choice – I’ve been able to use it at home to make personalised gifts for my friends or family, like dinosaur skeleton puzzles, leather wallets, and engraved picture frames!

What is something you wish you knew back at school? Be proactive and seek out scholarships – and apply even though you think there is no way you could get it, because applying gives you more of a chance than not trying! Also, know that outside of school, it’s really cool to be smart. Don’t feel like you need to hide your brains, interests or quirks because they make you ‘weird’ at school – stay confident and passionate about what you love doing – whether it’s theatre, fencing, photography, robotics, you name it – because those talents and interests bring about skills and experiences that will make you an employable individual with transferable skills.

Explore your Future t Fisher & Paykel Healthcare we have internship and graduate A opportunities in our Product Development, Process Development and Operations teams throughout every year for Bachelor of Engineering, Science or Technology students. They can go into the following specialisations: Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Software, Mechatronics, Biomedical, Bioengineering & Physics. Check out

www.fphcareers.com

Kiwibots! As part of our commitment to encourage students to get involved in careers in engineering, science and technology, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is a founding sponsor of the NZ Robotics Charitable Trust (Kiwibots). To find out more about being involved in Kiwibots go to www.kiwibots.co.nz

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

s k r o w t a h t Study dy options u st 0 15 r e v o re a There

at WelTec.

ing, n, Creative, Engineer tio uc tr ns Co , ity un m Business, Com . ices and Technology rv Se al ci So y, lit ta Hospi n real advantages. Learn real skills. Gai . Study at WelTec. Study in Wellington

0800 WELTEC weltec.ac.nz

It starts. Right here

nal feature creation of professio e th in d ve ol inv r, Keen to be or and WelTec tuto ing Kiwi film direct nn wi dar Aw his s? m of fil e production olved students in th to Alex Galvin, has inv elTec is committed re the Darkness. W fo Be , m fil g ing kin m or co tw up e and ne industry experienc n s-o nd ha s nt de giving stu eir employability. greatly improves th ich wh , ies nit rtu po op

Film

On The Set Of Your Future

What is WelTec’s vision, and what are the benefits of studying there? WelTec aims to prepare students for the real world – our course encourages industry experience and –networking while studying. When students work on professional feature films, their names are listed in the film’s credits, which is great for their CVs. The connections that students make through industry experience can also mean that they have jobs lined up before they leave uni. They can go on to work with Weta and other NZ companies; and can even work overseas. While at uni, they can learn from prominent industry professionals – for example, one of WelTec’s tutors is Gareth McGhie, who was formerly the head of Weta Workshop for over 10 years.

Can you provide some insights into the opportunities the film industry offers? Working in film suits skill sets from every area of the arts. You can work in areas such as writing, administration, accountancy, directing, hospitality, event management, animation, costuming/wardrobe, hair and makeup, lighting, editing, and sound design. NZ’s film industry is growing, with many big international productions set to come here in the next few years.

Name

Alex Galvin

Organisation you work for WelTec Role Film

Director and a tutor at WelTec

What did you study & where? I attended St. Patrick’s College in Kilbirnie, and then went on to study Linguistics and Music History at Victoria University. I was interested in writing, so after uni I got a job writing policy for the government. Later, I realised that I loved screenwriting, so I went to film school and then I moved into directing. That was 15 years ago.

What do you teach? I’m a film tutor. I’ve directed over 200 corporate videos and two feature films, as well as three short films. I’ve spent lots of time in Asia and LA, collaborating, honing my craft, and making great connections.

Do you have any ideas about how to enter the industry? It’s all about industry connections. Word gets out about who you are and the type of work you do. WelTec is all about creating industry connections while studying.

What can you do at school and outside of school that will assist in your film studies at WelTec? While there are no study pre-requisites, you should become a ‘student of film’ by watching movies in your own time. Observe things like how the shots are combined, which costumes are chosen, and how the scene is set up. Make your own films – experiment with the camera. Film should be a true passion for those who study it.

What are some notable projects that students and graduates have worked on? Students and graduates of WelTec have worked at Weta Workshop and Weta Digital; they’ve worked on big-budget films; and they have been able to work overseas, particularly in China.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

A Faculty of Tai Poutini Polytechnic

MAKE SOME NOISE

APPLY NOW FOR JULY 2016 STUDY PATHWAYS Contemporary Music Audio Engineering Business & Enterprise

0800 265 526

WWW.MAINZ.AC.NZ

Fame can happen, but I’m happy in the meantime to be working and performing in the industry I love. Music is the only thing I ever wanted to do and from the day I signedup for the MAINZ Foundation programme, I was hooked. Now I’ve graduated from the MAINZ Bachelor of Musical Arts programme and there are so many choices out there for me. The great thing about the MAINZ degree is that it pushes you to challenge yourself and test your boundaries. Some areas were more challenging for me than others, but the tutors were fantastic and I learned to become more self-aware and self-directed. The portfolio project we had to produce as part of the degree was a real learning curve. It helped me explore my music and find a sound and aesthetic that work for me. I now feel incredibly prepared for the music industry – whatever that brings. Being on stage and losing myself in the music is what I love and I’m doing that with my band, Frankie Shake Hands, and through my solo act. I’ve also just finished producing the music for a short film, Only Humane, and I’m happy with where I’m at. I love the idea of working in or even owning a record store one day, and performing in my spare time. There’s something about record stores that you’ll never get from streaming music – it’s a place where people can go and be introduced to all kinds of new sounds that they may never have otherwise encountered. I want to be realistic about my future in the industry, but I’m still really excited about what that means. I’d encourage anyone with a love of music to prepare themselves at MAINZ. It gives you a true understanding of the music industry and helps you get ready for the real world. The degree-level courses MAINZ runs now can push you even more; make you delve into your intellectual and philosophical thoughts and enhance your material and writing. More than anything, I loved MAINZ because it was like a family – once you are in, you stay in. It was like a second home to me and I still find myself dropping in now and then even though my study is finished.

SAM WEBB

Bachelor of Musical Arts

Engineering

A Star On The World Stage Healthcare has become technologised. Orion Health is a key player in this industry, making a tangible difference in people’s lives around the world.

Chris Perriam What is your current role and where are you located?

Alix Klingenberg

I’m a Graduate Software Engineer located in Auckland. I started this year, after completing a BSc (Computer Science) and BCom (Finance) at the University of Otago.

Which team do you belong to? What is your current role and where are you located? Junior Software Engineer is my official role, but I’m an Android Developer. I’m located in Auckland.

I’m currently working on the Amadeus product: a platform at the forefront of precision healthcare.

What does your usual day look like?

My team is called Sweet Rectangle because we’re a mobile team.

We have a meeting every morning where everyone reports on their current projects, and we plan the day’s objectives. Afterwards, everyone is focussed on their work.

What does your usual day look like?

Why did you choose to work at Orion Health?

Which team do you belong to?

First, I catch up on emails and messages; and watch tech videos. The rest of my day involves having meetings and discussions, and doing some coding.

Why did you choose to work at Orion Health? I attended a women-in-tech event at Orion Health and decided I wanted to work for a company that makes a positive difference in people’s lives and dedicates resources to addressing inequalities.

What is something cool you’re working on currently? My team is making a fitness app that allows different groups in Orion to compete against each other.

Tell us about your favourite experience so far. It’s amazing to see people in user-testing groups actually using software that I’ve made.

What are you looking forward to most about working in this industry?

I wanted to use technology to creatively solve problems, and to really make a difference. Also, the healthcare industry can take advantage of the latest technological advancements. Take a look at the Precision Medicine Report on the Orion Health website for an introduction to the cuttingedge initiatives we’re working on.

What is something cool you’re currently working on? My team is currently devising a feature to enable new ways for thirdparty developers to interact with Orion Health software.

Tell us about your favourite experience so far. My most fulfilling experience was when I was able to design and implement the solution to a technical glitch myself.

What are you looking forward to most about working in this industry?

Going to Google I/O (a conference for developers) in San Francisco!

Later, I’d like to move into a more business-oriented role. I’m also keen to work overseas and make a difference on the front line.

What makes Orion Health so unique?

Not many software development companies in NZ offer interesting development work for new products that have a worldwide reach.

At Orion Health, everyone’s opinion matters, and the teams’ selforganisation means that everyone is excited about their work and the teams are more cohesive.

Orion Health is focused on the health and wellbeing of our employees. What is your favourite Wellbeing initiative so far? Probably Round the Bays.

Tell us something interesting about you. I’m on the committee for SheSharp – an organisation promoting software engineering and computer science to young women, and providing support to those already studying/working in that field.

Orion Health is focussed on the health and wellbeing of our employees. What is your favourite Wellbeing initiative so far? I enjoy all the healthy fruit that’s available at the office!

Tell us something interesting about you. It’s long been a goal of mine to get my pilot’s license so that I can fly recreationally.

https://orionhealth.com/nz/about-us/grads-and-interns/

Logistics

The Road to the Top From Dock Boy to Storeperson of the Year. Layne Howearth worked hard to climb the ranks of the Mainfreight group. As part of the customer service team, he plays a valuable role in helping Mainfreight to organise the transportation of goods around the world.

Best Youth Academy: M ainfreight Tr Team Mem aining and D bers with st evelopmen udents from t Best Youth Academy.

What sparked your interest in a role at Mainfreight? To be honest I had no clue what I was going to do out of school and I needed a job. Luckily my Mum’s partner, the Operations Manager at Owens Transport (Owens is part of the Mainfreight group), needed a new storeperson at his branch. I had also been told good things about the Mainfreight group.

What was your first day like? I felt a bit lost but it was fine because everyone is quite friendly. All you need to do is ask for help and it’ll be given.

Describe your journey – what roles do you have and where are you now? I first started off as a dock boy organising all the loose items that come into the depot. I then became a checker, where I would make sure each item of freight was sent on the right truck/wagon and sent to the right destination. About a year later I loaded trucks/wagons with a fork hoist, which is definitely an experience. I am now in the customer service team, answering customers’ queries and solving problems that might happen in the process of the freight being transported.

What sort of things have made you stick with Mainfreight to make your career? Mainfreight is a company that promotes from within. For people like me that didn’t have the right motivation in school, but now look to pursue bigger and better things and do well for themselves, this is a very good thing.

Favourite moment?

Layne Howearth Organisation you work for Mainfreight Group Role Customer Service Team Member, Mainfreight Group Age 20 High School Massey High School When did you leave school: 2013 Name

In 2014, with Owens as my first full-time job, I won Storeperson of the Year. I got $500 for winning this, and recognition from the whole team, so I was pretty stoked. Having Storeperson of the Year under my belt helped me get to a customer service position, which is a position I had been fighting for, for a long time.

What are your career goals? At the moment I am unsure about my career goals as I’m only 20 years old and need a little more time to devise my aspirations for the future. Luckily, Mainfreight offer heaps of roles within the group so there will always be something different to consider doing.

What would be your advice be to others wanting to work at Mainfreight? Work hard even when you think no one notices, because they always do and it definitely pays off. I didn’t think anyone noticed my hard work and then I got Storeperson of the Year.

Chiropractic

SCHOL AR PROFILE

LAW

Courtney Grenfell RUSSELL McVE AGH SCHOOL LE AVERS’ SCHOL AR

About Me I attended Chilton Saint James School in Wellington, and then studied at the University of Waikato. In 2015 I graduated with LLB(Hons) /BA with a major in French. I am now a graduate in the General Litigation team in the Auckland office under Malcolm Crotty.

Why did I apply for the Russell McVeagh School Leavers Scholarship? I always had a passion for foreign languages but was also looking for a degree that could enhance my analytical skills and set me up for entering a profession. With the guidance from family, law became the obvious choice. Studying law was both challenging and rewarding. The practical elements of advocacy were particularly enjoyable and provided context to the theory. The biggest challenge was staying on top of new material, and learning how prioritise in order to work smarter not necessarily harder.

How has the scholarship helped me? When I decided to study law, my careers advisor at school suggested that I apply for the Russell McVeagh School Leavers Scholarship. A fellow school friend in the year above me (now a colleague) had also mentioned it to me. I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Scholarship upon leaving school, and at the time I had no idea of the impact this would have on my studies and career. The scholarship provided us with a welcoming, inclusive environment where we had the opportunity to meet like-minded people across the country. As a scholar at Russell McVeagh you feel part of a big team, with constant guidance from the firm through the HR department during your studies and also financial support. As you start to progress through University you are presented with chances to gain an insight into how the commercial legal world works and learn from the best in the profession, which evolves into the Summer Clerk experience. It is a very rare opportunity to begin work life with a group of people who you consider friends; something that has only been possible from applying for the School Leavers Scholarship!

Want an insider’s look at a career with Russell McVeagh? Apply for a Russell McVeagh School Leavers’ Scholarship and take the next step to an amazing career in law. For information about Russell McVeagh’s scholarship programmes and to apply please visit summerclerk.co.nz Applications open 13 June 2016 until 8 July 2016.

NextStep//ISSUE 5

S U M M E R C L E R K . C O . N Z

How to use SchoolConnect Growing up in Taupo, Nick often spends his school holidays in the ski fields of Ruapehu. It’s no wonder he’s an expert at snowsports and, in Year 12, thinks he would like to teach other people how to ski and snowboard. Nick’s dad, George, suggests he looks for some work experience so it’ll be easier to get a job on the snow fields in winter. Nick goes to see his careers counsellor who tells him about SchoolConnect.

A step-by-step guide

Step 1: Jobs Nick goes to one of the only job boards designed for school students – SchoolConnect’s “Jobs” section. There, he finds jobs that he can do part-time whilst at school and applies to as many as possible. Countdown offers Nick a position as a checkout operator with hours that work around his school schedule. He accepts! After a few months, George is happy with his son’s efforts and asks him what he wants to do after school. Nick takes him to SchoolConnect’s “Career” page.

Step 2: Careers

Step 3: Study

Nick shows him the “Snowsport Instructor” page, under “Sport and Recreation” on the left side of the “Careers” page. This gives Nick and George a whole bunch of information about how to get into the snowsport industry.

He clicks on the Adventure Tourism course which takes him to the “Study” section. Then, he goes to “Career Opportunities” and finds there is so much more he can do with this course than just become a Snowsport Instructor. George thinks this is a good path to study towards and asks Nick to click on to “Where to Study”.

Reading the details, Nick remembers that the snowsport industry can be quiet during summer and that he should have a second job or be prepared to travel to where the snow is. Clicking on “Entry Pathways” Nick finds out that there are actual courses to become a qualified Snowsport Instructor. He had no idea! He can either learn Ski/Snowboard Instruction or Adventure Tourism.

Check out schoolconnect.co.nz

This shows them all the institutes and universities that offer courses in adventure tourism and similar subjects. Nick clicks through to a few and finds out how he can apply. He also uses SchoolConnect’s discussion forum to ask a couple more questions and be advised by experts of the industry. Nick and George are happy with what SchoolConnect has offered them – Nick saves the SchoolConnect page so he can check in with the discussion forum after work.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Accounting

Mind-Vending Success Name:

Antonio Caliari Pearce

Role:

Accountant at Vend

It’s Number Crunch Time Don’t put a limit on your career options – explore the possibility of becoming a Chartered Accountant. Ask yourself: What do you most love to do? Who do you want to work for? Where do you want to live? Are you interested in business with a focus on accounting? Then you’re already on your way to work in any industry and live almost anywhere. As a Chartered Accountant (CA), you will steer the direction and ensure the success of businesses, and lead industry thinking to make a positive difference in the world. Chartered Accountants display exceptional thinking and have an excellent grasp of business which means they’re in high demand. They work at some of the highest levels in business in some of the world’s largest organisations. CAs can apply their skills to business challenges in virtually every sphere of business – from audit and tax, to corporate finance, to management and leadership, in a rich variety of enterprises around the globe. Live and work the way you choose, with skills that are sought after by a wide range of employers both here and overseas. The Chartered Accountant postgraduate designation is affiliated with two of the world’s largest accounting alliances: the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) and Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW). Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is a professional body of over 115,000 diverse, talented and financially astute individuals who use their skills to make a difference for businesses and communities all over the world. Around the world there are over 2.5 million qualified accountants, including chartered, certified, management, practicing, professional, and accounting technicians. Each have completed professional accountancy qualifications, and have different sets of knowledge, skills and experience to suit their specific fields. Being a member of CA ANZ sets you up to thrive in business and the world.

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What is your current role? I’m an accountant at Vend in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m one of the accountants who forecasts Vend’s future growth. What I do is I take the company’s three-year strategy and break it down into its components; and then confer with each of the department heads about how their respective departments will fit into the overall picture.

How did you get to where you are today? I studied accounting and management at the University of Auckland before going into a job in HR, but then I realised that accounting is a fantastic base for business. So, I went to Grant Thornton, one of the international accounting firms. I was there for three years, and now I have moved to Vend.

How has being a CA changed your life? For me, having the Chartered Accountant designation means that people will understand that your argument will be strong and well-reasoned due to your training. Some friends of mine actually just started their own marketing agency, and it was really cool that I was one of the first people they came to. We sat down, made a business plan, made a forecast, and I have been there with them tracking their progress the whole way.

What are some of the highlights of your career? One of my career highlights would be being elected to the board of The Discovery Foundation, which is a charity in New Zealand that runs camps for kids aged between 14 and 18. It’s awesome to be involved in the strategic decision-making for a charity and to know that you are helping people less fortunate; and as an accountant it’s almost an obligation because we have the skills to do something that benefits wider society.

Any advice for those considering following the CA path? To someone starting out in a Chartered Accountants Programme, I’d say just do it, it’s awesome – it’s hard work but it’s worth it in the end. The skill set that it gives you is such a fantastic grounding for any area of business you want to go into.

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Name: What is your current role? I work as an audit manager for GlaxoSmithKline in their internal audit department. I’m responsible for audits in the global support functions, predominantly in the finance area.

Chloe Speedie

Accounting

Globetrotting Businesswoman Role:

Independent Business Monitoring Director at GlaxoSmithKline in London

How did you get to where you are today? Well, it started when I was at university and was exploring my career options. I did vacation work at both Deloitte and EY, which gave me my first taste of what it was like to do accounting work in a private practice. From there, I secured a graduate role with Deloitte, where I qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Soon after finishing my qualification, I decided to come to the bright lights of London. I came over on my own – I could have come over on a secondment, but I wanted to try something new. I joined the internal audit department at Bunzl PLC, which is a company focused on distribution outsourcing. From there I joined GlaxoSmithKline, where I now work as an audit manager.

How has being a CA changed your life? I think it’s really the reputation that precedes the qualification over here. It’s looked upon highly by employers, and helps you get that first foot in the door. My first employer actually said that to me when I was at the interview – they said the only reason I was really there was because I had the CA qualification on my resume.

What’s it like living and working in London? I think one of the biggest differences between working in London and working in Australia is that being in England gives you the opportunity to travel extensively with work. In the first job I had over here, I travelled 50 per cent of the time, which was really exciting. I travelled to Europe, South America, and even back to Australia. Then, since joining GSK, I’ve been able to travel to Asia, Central America and more of Europe. I think I’ve had more of these opportunities because I work for a truly global organisation, instead of for an Australian organisation.

Any advice for those considering following the CA path? The advice I would give to someone starting out in the Chartered Accountants Programme would be to study and work hard. If you are interested in moving overseas, one thing that’s exceptionally important when you come over here is the ability to say that you have first-time passes on your resume. If you don’t have first-time passes on your resume, it makes you less competitive with the rest of the market. So the key thing is to work hard and make sure you put in the time and effort to pass each module the first time.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Accounting

Team Captain Of Finance: Name:

Cameron Good

Major Projects Manager at New Zealand Rugby

Role:

What is your current role? As the Major Projects Manager, I’m working on two key projects at the moment: the Rugby World Cup 2015; and one with SANZAR (South African, New Zealand, and Australian Rugby), which is redesigning Super Rugby for 2016 onwards. With the Rugby World Cup, it’s all about making sure the All Blacks have everything they need to be successful in the tournaments, and ensuring that all of our sponsors and endorsers have the opportunity to support the team. With SANZAR, it’s about working through all of the competing interests to find a competition format that works for everyone.

How did you get to where you are today? I spent five years studying accounting and law at Victoria University. After university, I managed to secure a role in KPMG’s graduate programme. I spent four years there working as a tax consultant, which was a solid grounding. They put me through the Chartered Accountants Programme. I then got a three-week secondment to New Zealand Rugby to work on one little project; and some 11 years later, I’m still here.

How has being a CA changed your life? I think the main thing I gained from becoming a Chartered Accountant was the recognition it gave me, particularly early in my career. New Zealand Rugby was looking for people whose analytical and numerical skills could be transferred onto a rugby setting. I had a three-week opportunity to impress the people that worked here. My skill set and my way of thinking as an accountant definitely helped me to get a foot in the door. As my career has progressed, I’ve moved away from doing pure accounting, but those skills are still absolutely relevant every day.

What are some of the highlights of your career? It’s been fantastic to be a part of all of the rugby union’s successes over the last 11 years. For me, the main career highlight was the Rugby World Cup 2011. It was amazing to see how the victory impacted New Zealand, and how the tournament galvanised everyone to get out and support rugby. The best part was probably immediately after the win, when we flew around the country, put on three parades in quick succession, and saw thousands of people turn out.

Where do you see yourself in the future? I’d certainly like to stay within this industry, but I’m keen to go offshore. My goal is to try and take the skills I’ve learnt from New Zealand Rugby and apply them on the global stage.

Any advice for those considering following the CA path? It’s hard work. When you start the Programme you’re making a significant commitment. However, what I learnt through the Programme – and through my work – significantly benefited me. I thought having my accounting degree was enough, but once I went through the Programme I understood that there was a lot more to learn, and that it’s important to get that qualification.

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I’m the Corporate Finance Manager at Jardine Matheson here in Hong Kong. Part of my job is to look after the financial side of the business, while the other part is more commercial – it involves being a business partner to the business head, and helping them to make the best commercial and financial decisions needed to run the business well and reach company targets.

The Man With Two Minds: The Financial And The Commercial:

Accounting

What is your current role?

How did you get to where you are today? After working with Deloitte for four years in Melbourne, as well as completing the Chartered Accountants Programme, I came to Hong Kong. I didn’t have a job lined up – I just showed up and thought I’d try my luck. I got my first role with the Walt Disney Company as a financial analyst. In the three years I spent with them, I learnt a lot about the commercial aspects of finance and how they work with the business side – especially with regards to messaging and how to manage different stakeholders. After that, I worked in more of an entrepreneurial environment with Integrated Hospitality Management. I had to be quick on my feet in applying all the skills I had learned up until then to the role. After a couple of years in the entrepreneurial environment, I landed the Financial Controller role with CSL, and now I’m at Jardine Matheson.

How has being a CA helped/changed your life? I think being a Chartered Accountant definitely helped me to get to where I am today by enabling me to have an open mind; and by equipping me with many tools – on both the soft side and the technical side – to be able to take on all the challenges that I face day to day.

Name: Darren

Chan

Role: Corporate

Finance Manager at Jardine Matheson in Hong Kong

What are some of your career highlights? One of my career highlights has definitely been moving overseas. You don’t really know what to expect until you actually move offshore and experience new places, but I think having that Chartered Accountant background has definitely given me the confidence to be able to take on any challenge.

What is it like living in Hong Kong? Living in Hong Kong, working in Hong Kong – it really is a 24-hour lifestyle. As soon as I arrived here, I was blown away by the pace, speed and urgency of everything. Sometimes you feel like there’s no time to breathe. You really just have to keep pushing yourself and trusting yourself, and being confident in what you’ve learned.

What are your tips for success? I think keeping an open mind is very important. Soak in everything you see and learn, because all the knowledge that you acquire is like an investment – it’ll help you out one day. Also, don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. I think that’s where you’ll really get the most out of yourself and develop.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Accounting

Blazing A Trail In Business What is your current role? My current role is to manage the finance team of CAPI Sparkling and Lucy Folk Jewellery. Additionally, as the COO, I’m exposed to a lot of the businesses’ operations, from their dayto-day running, logistics and marketing; to really driving their strategic directions.

How did you get to where you are today? I started early. When I found out about traineeships at the Big Four accounting firms, I knew I wanted to do that. The thought of going to uni for four years and just studying didn’t appeal to me. Instead, I obtained a traineeship at PwC and worked full-time almost immediately, while studying part-time at uni. I always wanted to be a CFO. When the opportunity came up to move into the industry, I thought that it would give me more of a real commercial outlook and more business exposure than just accounting would.

How has being a CA changed your life?

Name: Emma

Evans

Role: CFO/COO

at CAPI Sparkling and Lucy Folk Jewellery, Australia

I think that when you study to become a CA, they teach you to think outside the box. It’s not just about accounting and finance, it’s about that commercial outlook. I think it takes a certain type of person to want to put yourself through a programme like that and then have the discipline to add value to the business.

What are some of the highlights of your career? My greatest achievement to date would be attaining the role and the title that I have now, at this age. I’m also proud of single-handedly managing the sale of Map Coffee, a process with which I had no prior experience. Finally, in building a finance team from scratch – for Map Coffee and now for CAPI – I had to recruit, train and guide the team members so they could be up and running without me. It was actually quite a big learning curve. I’m really proud of the people that I have in my team.

Any advice for those considering following the CA path? The advice I’d give to anyone starting out in the Chartered Accountants Programme would be to embrace it and dedicate a lot of time to it. It can be quite full-on when you’re working full-time and studying, but there’s a lot of value in the things you learn, and even more in the networks that you create when you’re going through the programme.

Accept no limits for your career potential and sign up to You Unlimited at: www.schoolconnect.co.nz/institutions/chartered-accountants-australia-and-new-zealand

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schoolconnect take the next step

20 - 23 June

Careers week .co.nz

schoolconnect Here is your chance to get up close take the next step to some of the biggest companies and institutes in New Zealand!

A live online forum will be hosted on the SchoolConnect website for you to interact with companies and institutes from the likes of Toyota to Waiariki. Ask questions, get feedback and carve your career path now!

Student & teacher registrations are now open for this exclusive opportunity: www.schoolconnect.co.nz/careersweek

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Commercial

Smooth Operator Banking seemed like the ideal job for Laura Proud, until Vodafone’s Head of Recruitment gave a presentation at her university. Here, she explains how working with Vodafone has allowed her to learn and grow.

How have you found the Vodafone graduate programme, and why did it stand out to you? Vodafone’s Head of Recruitment came to my university to give a talk to the mentees of the university’s women’s mentoring programme. What stood out to me was the flexibility in the programme’s structure to try out a range of roles; and also the great culture that Vodafone seemed to have. I definitely haven’t been disappointed – the opportunities I’ve been given and the people I’ve worked with have been amazing.

Please describe your first two rotations, including what you’ve learnt and enjoyed. My first rotation was in the Customer Operations Commercial Management team, supporting the Commercial Manager in their delivery of process improvement initiatives. I was then seconded to a special project, which was designed to improve customers’ experience when dealing with Vodafone. My second rotation was in the Opex team, which is responsible for managing costs. I helped to analyse our Opex spend so that the team could construct an achievable budget that was based on key drivers specific to the different parts of the business. I learned about how different parts of our business function, about financial modelling; and also how to assess key drivers and how to use that knowledge to get the best outcome for both the business and for our customers. The personal development opportunities I received during this period were incredible!

Name

Laura Proud

Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance and Economics

Tertiary Education

What is your current role, and what does it entail? I’m currently a Pricing Analyst in the Enterprise Commercial team. We look after the pricing for the mass-market propositions for our Enterprise customers; so any price changes, business cases for new products, or post-implementation reviews come through to us. In a normal day, I’ll meet with product managers and segment marketing leads to ascertain what the impacts of a price change or new product would be. Then, I go and model that, to show what will happen to the customer base, project revenue costs, and the product mix. As the grad in the team, I’ve also been given a couple of special projects.

What did you study? I studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance and Economics. I thought I wanted to go into banking but it turns out that the telco (telecommunications) industry is pretty exciting!

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Can you offer any information that may be of interest to a secondary school student, in regards to tertiary study and/or their future career? To anyone unsure of what they want to do for a career, I would say: 1) Keep your options open, and 2) Pursue something you’re genuinely interested in. When I started my BCom (and my current job), I didn’t really know which direction I wanted my career path to take, so I remained open to trying new things. As it turns out, my knack for numbers has led me down the Finance and Commercial Analysis path. Furthermore, it’s important to feel enthusiastic and passionate about what you’re studying – in order to get through 3+ years of student life!

Scheme highlights: Recruits gain valuable experience by spending time working in different departments Peer and mentor support Opportunity to volunteer with the Vodafone NZ Foundation

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Photo: Auckland Transport

Want to design your urban landscape? See your ideas become a reality through a civil engineering cadetship with Opus, an international infrastructure consultancy firm.

Engineering

DESIGN YOUR WORLD WITH OPUS Can you provide us with an overview of the Opus cadetship? I work full-time and study for my diploma part-time. I’ve acquired the necessary technical drawing- and design skills through my cadetship training. As an assistant technician, most of my time each day is spent doing civil structural drawings using AutoCAD, a design and drawing production tool. Otherwise, I’m out of the office surveying land and doing site inspections.

How did you come across the cadetship? I actually heard about Opus’ cadetship through another firm’s cadetship scheme.

How have you found your time at Opus so far and how does it fit in with your overall career goals? Opus has an awesome social atmosphere, and there’s so much variation in the tasks I do. I’d love to be fully qualified and in a leadership position, and Opus is helping me reach these goals. Their leaders are inspiring, and the company has great opportunities for further learning and progression. Also, my diploma will be internationally recognised, and Opus has many international offices, so there are endless opportunities.

What makes Opus a great place to work? I appreciate Opus’ multi-disciplinary approach – I get to use and expand my knowledge of architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural, and other disciplines. It’s important for me to be able to apply what I learn on the course to ‘real’ jobs, and vice versa. Also, my work is very diverse: this morning I was doing drawings for the Auckland Harbour Bridge; and this afternoon I’ll be going out in the dingy at Littleton Port to measure piles.

What makes you passionate about what you do?

Name

Kurt Hewson

Organisation you work for Opus Role Assistant High School

Technician

Cashmere High School

Tertiary Education The

New Zealand Institute of Highway Technology (NZIHT)

Degree Final

year of a three-year Diploma in Civil Engineering

Seeing the drawings come to life is an awesome thing to experience. Most of what I draw does actually get built, so it’s a cool process to be involved with.

Why did you choose engineering? What sparked your interest? My dad works in the industry so I’ve always had an interest in civil engineering. Being from Christchurch, I also knew that there are a lot of job opportunities in this expanding industry.

What advice would you give to budding engineers? I would talk to people in engineering firms and find out about their jobs. I’d also recommend talking to careers advisers, and checking out what’s happening on the job front: read the news, look on social media. As for study, I would take subjects like maths, calculus, English, and all the sciences – they are the most relevant ones for a career in engineering.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

The 2016 Graduate With a constant stream of New Zealand secondary school students going on to university, the graduate job market is as competitive as ever. This survey creates a picture of New Zealand’s successful graduates in 2016, looking at the aspects of a graduate that are valued by employers. The results of the survey of over 500 successful New Zealand graduates working for New Zealand’s top employers show that despite the commonly held misconception, a graduate’s grades are not everything. These survey results dispel many myths surrounding what it means to be a successful graduate. Employers are looking for well rounded, engaged and driven graduates that are representative of New Zealand society and are striving to forge a career in their chosen field.

Activities students participated in while studying

Beyond Study A key and telling piece to the picture of a successful graduate is the activities they have participated in outside of study during their university lives. Employers place a high value on the ability of employees to manage themselves both at work and outside of work. Being able to juggle life and continue to deliver at work is held in high regard all employers. This trait is clearly shown by the extremely high participation rate of successful graduates. Almost nine out of ten of surveyed graduates worked part-time during their studies. In addition, 10% of successful graduates worked full time, still managing to achieve grades at a level to not only pass, but also obtain a graduate job with one of New Zealand’s top employers. Purely looking at those two statistics how would you evaluate someone that has achieved good grades, completed assignments and studied for exams all while working, some full time, to someone who does done nothing but focus on studying to achieve the same or slightly better grades? In addition all survey graduates participated in a wide variety of activities beyond study. Interestingly, all survey respondent ticked at least two of the activities represented in the graph.

Age of respondents Gender

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Ethnicity The ethnic breakdown of employed graduates is moving towards a reflection of New Zealand society, however there is still movement to be made. As the shift continues towards a complete representation of New Zealand society, hiring graduates should be a cornerstone of a diversity strategy for all New Zealand businesses. Not only does it provide a diverse age range of employees in an organisation, it ensures organisations are building a diverse, culturally aware and varied environment representative of New Zealand.

Average Grades during study

Grades Everyone asks students about their grades, from their friends to their grandparents. However, for many graduates, the question on their minds is: “How much influence do my grades have on the success of my application and employment prospects?” The snapshot of these successful graduates shows that grades do matter, but employers do not exclusively hire A-grade students. 48% of the students surveyed, representing graduates at many of New Zealand’s top businesses, had a grade average of B+ (generally a B+ is 75-79%) or lower. A B+ grade average was common across respondents from all degree backgrounds except for engineering, graduates with an engineering degree tended to have a grade average of A-. For graduates with a law or arts degree, no one that was surveyed had a grade average below B-. However, an A+ grade average was rare among graduates from all fields. The number of students successfully securing graduate jobs without having ‘A’ range grades is consistent with the message that employers   are trying to convey to students: what matters is your all-round ability and your participation in extra curricular activities, alongside as your academic achievement.

Postgraduate Study Whether or not completing postgraduate study will benefit a graduate in their job hunt is a commonly asked question with respect to today’s graduate employment market. It is an aspect of the debate around the prioritisation of academic enrichment versus employment outcomes. One third of successful graduates surveyed had completed post-graduate study. The majority (44%) of this survey’s respondents have not and do not intend to complete any form of postgraduate study. One fifth have are still considering further study at some point during their careers. Fundamentally, the common perception that you need to have completed postgraduate study in order to obtain a graduate job is a myth.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Internships/Clerkships A hidden aspect of the graduate employment market is participation in summer internships and clerkships. All of New Zealand’s  large professional services firms, as well as many of our prominent corporate businesses, run internship programmes. Internships involve bringing in students at the end of their penultimate year for a three-month period of work over the summer.  They are a great way for students to gain an understanding of not only  an organisation, but also of the type of work they would be doing in a  graduate role. The two major benefits of undertaking an internship are the chance to go through the recruitment process a year earlier, and the acquisition of valuable work experience. For many interns, proving their worth over summer can result in earning a fast-tracked position in a graduate programme.

Working Overseas

Changing One’s Degree/Major

The dream of working overseas is still alive among New Zealands young workforce. Two thirds are already in a mindset that they are going to be leaving these shores, with a further 30% unsure about if their career will take them overseas. While these numbers remain reasonably consistent, the big change is the overseas destinations of our young workforce.

The majority of graduates from all degree backgrounds surveyed did not change their degree type while studying; and in a similar vein, 64% of students decided to stick with their initial major throughout their time at university.

In the last decade Asia has emerged as a desired destination with places like Singapore and Hong Kong now offering great career opportunities. As New Zealand heads towards an Asian centric economy the benefits obtained from working in these markets will far outweigh the traditional path of previous generations to London.

Job/programme applications made

There are arguments on both sides for a student changing their degree or major. Once a student is exposed to the wide variety of educational opportunities available at university it is only natural to explore. However this has to be weighed against the financial cost with ever year over and above the original timeframe for completing a qualification costing approximately $7,500-$10,000. It is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Summary While only a snapshot of the survey results, this data paints an interesting picture of a group of graduates who have found jobs in their desired fields. Many have good but not outstanding grades, they have engaged in extra curricular activities while studying, in particular holding down a part-time job.

Parents Advice

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Ultimately, these results show that it is well-rounded students, with a relatively clear idea of the direction they would like to head in, that are making their way into New Zealand’s graduate jobs with New Zealand’s top graduate employers.

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Education

Doing good better – Love what you do.

What made you want to change career from a corporate career to work as a Teach First NZ participant? I decided I wanted a change after stumbling across my application letter to university. In this letter, I wrote that I was not sure which job I wanted to have, but that I wanted to get up each morning and know that I was making a positive difference. TFNZ provides an unparalleled pathway to do this.

Monty Jones Tertiary Education: BsC/BComm University of Auckland Previous Role: Logistics Graduate, Mainfreight Current Role: Maths Teacher at Tamaki College, East Auckland Name:

Teach First NZ offers a unique pathway into secondary teaching for talented individuals who aspire to be future leaders in New Zealand. The Teach First NZ programme is two years long, but the experience and skills you gain will last you a lifetime. Teach First NZ participants teach in schools serving low-decile communities while they are training towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. The Teach First NZ scholarship covers all of the training course fees and also provides a full-time salary. Monty Jones is a born and bred Aucklander. Having completed a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce conjoint degree at the University of Auckland, Monty left his corporate job to join the Teach First NZ programme as a maths teacher.

What would you say to those who say teaching is not a rewarding career path? Teaching is the first vocation that I have been proud to tell people about when they ask “So, what do you do?”. This is because teaching in schools supporting low-decile communities is so challenging and fulfilling. I have become immersed in a community that does not have a high median income, but is rich in culture, talent and passion. I am inspired by the youth that I teach, and this experience will always stay with me.

What has been the most rewarding thing about your career change? • Being challenged to make presentations every day to clients who can benefit hugely if your relationship skills are up to it. • Being able to participate in extra-curricular activities – for example, I’ve just arrived back from a day of kayaking, during which I helped a student to overcome their fear of water. • A work-life balance with great holidays. • Having a job that I want to get out of bed for because I know that I’m doing the best I can to improve educational outcomes for our tamariki.

What would you say to those who are thinking about joining the programme? It was hard to leave my old job, but the opportunity to work with TFNZ has been amazing and life-defining.

“There is a Steve Jobs quote that really resonates with me. It says, ‘Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, so the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work; and the only way to do great work is to love what you do’.”

To find out more and to apply go to www.teachfirstnz.org Like us on Facebook to be a part of our community / Follow us on Twitter to stay in the loop

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Hospitality

Studying at Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic could mean international travel Seeing Switzerland and Italy while on a five-week scholarship creating Swiss breads and chocolates may sound like a dream for some, however earlier this year it became a reality for recent graduate Rebekah Watson.

“All those five o’clock starts on market days were definitely worth it. This trip was just amazing and I also got to see Italy, which was really big for me as I had never travelled before.”

Rebekah and her Diploma in Patisserie and Bakery classmates were given the chance to fundraise for work experience in two Swiss bakeries. Following fortnightly bake sales at the Kuirau Park market, the team raised enough money to send one of their classmates.

Next year, culinary students like Rebekah will be enjoying a new $12 million Tourism and Hospitality Centre on Rotorua’s Mokoia Campus. The centre will become the main training hub for the popular culinary arts, tourism, travel, and hospitality programmes, and some of the key features will include a 100-seat demonstration kitchen theatre, and three commercial training kitchens.

“I was shocked to win the scholarship,” she says. “I never expected to get it just because all the girls I went up against were amazing. I was so chuffed. I couldn’t have wanted anything more from my years of studying.

Culinary, hospitality and tourism are just a few of the programmes on offer at Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. Visit our website for details on nearly 250 programmes of study in Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga, Tokoroa and Whakatāne.

Everything is Here

Free Bus Service

From your first day on campus through to your graduation, Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic provides you with the guidance and support you need to ensure your time with us is as enjoyable as it is successful.

Scholarships for School Leavers

Scholarships valued at $2,500 each toward specific programmes of study are available to Year 12 and 13 students. Applications close Friday, 30 September 2016. See our website for terms and conditions.

Our students are eligible for free transport to and from Mokoia Campus on all Rotorua Cityride routes seven days a week by using their computer-chipped student ID card.

Fees Refund Scheme

The Fees Refund Scheme for school leavers rewards you financially when you pass your Level 3, 4, or 5 programme of study. See our website for terms and conditions.

Learner Support

Our learning advisors provide free support to help you study well and achieve your goals. They work alongside tutors to provide the best possible support for your learning. Contact a learning advisor whenever needed throughout the term.

ENROL NOW for Semester 2, 2016

0800 924 274 waiariki.ac.nz

Build connections in cyberspace.

What study or on-the-job training did you do to get into your current role?

Keen on cutting-edge technology and up-skilling on the job? Becoming a developer could be for you. Careers New Zealand spoke to James Macfie from Xero about the coding life.

In short, I build things.

Though I did study IT at uni, the thing about being a developer is technology is always changing; so most of what I do day-to-day is what I’ve either picked up through internal training at work, or have learnt on the job.

What does your working day usually involve? My team and I develop new features on the section of the product we’re responsible for. I work on the UI (user interface) of Xero so I build the part of the app that our users interact with. I also work with our amazing UX (user experience) team to make sure what we are building is best for our users. I’m always learning from other developers and often attend training sessions, or give presentations myself.

What are the main technical and interpersonal skills you need to do your job? Although a big part involves writing code, most important is the ability to learn ‘on the job’. Being a decent human being is also really important. We all work in teams at Xero, so being able to work with others to achieve an outcome is super important.

How has web development evolved over the last five years? We’ve moved from building huge applications to building lots of small, interconnected applications. How people access the web is really different now - most people access it via their phone instead of a PC. This means that what we’re building ‘for’ has become a real focus, not just ‘what’ we’re building.

Name

James Macf ie

Organisation you work for Xero Role Front

End Developer, Team leader High School New Plymouth Boys High Tertiary Education WelTec Degree Diploma of Information Technology

How do you see new technology impacting your work over the next five years? As this industry is constantly in flux, it’s hard to predict change that far ahead. There are some things that are guaranteed though. The devices that we code for will become much more powerful, which will mean we build way cooler software. The languages and tools we use will change, to make it easier to build for these devices.

What further opportunities are there for front-end developers to get into? There are numerous career paths or focuses available. If you really enjoy the technical side, then you could become a senior developer in your team or company, or get more involved in system architecture. If you’d like to focus on people skills, then managing other technical people could be an option. Or maybe your desire is to help define a product’s features. You could move away from development and into product management.

Find out more

• Find out more about web development - http://bit.ly/1Ny6LQ7 • Find out more about software development - http://bit.ly/21Q8V5L • Find us at careers.govt.nz/developer

NextStep//ISSUE 5

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What will the future world of work look like? One thing is guaranteed – technology and digital marketing will keep evolving, creating exciting jobs for those considering working in this growth industry. Those in digital roles help to portray companies as reputable sources of information to us: the Googling public. Careers New Zealand spoke to Ashleigh Duncan from digital agency Uprise.

Digitise your talents in the online marketplace.

What study or on-the-job training did you do to get into your current role? After working for radio stations, I spent a couple of years at TradeMe before joining Uprise. I don’t have any formal qualifications, but I’m Google-qualified.

What does your working day usually involve? I’m the interface between our clients and the Uprise team. I work with clients on digital strategy, building and implementing campaigns, and tracking and reporting. Much of my role is translating both marketingand geek-speak.

What are the main technical and interpersonal skills you need to do your job? You need a firm grasp on numbers, data and analysis techniques. You also need the creativity to determine what will emotionally engage your clients’ customers and motivate them to take action.

What are the three main influences on your job? 1. Change – it’s not necessarily about predicting the future; it’s about being adaptable. 2. Working with Facebook and Google – it’s cool to be a partner with these global behemoths and make them work for Kiwi companies. 3. My team – everyone has different skills, so it’s important to share knowledge to help generate the best results for clients.

How has your type of role evolved over the last five years? Digital marketing has gone from being non-existent or a small part of a marketing strategy; to being fully integrated into the way businesses operate. It’s crazy to think that Airbnb owns no real estate and Uber owns no cars – both just exist online.

How do you see new technology impacting your work over the next five years?

Name

Ashleigh Duncan

Organisation you work for Uprise Role Digital

Account Manager High School St Oran’s College Tertiary Education Massey University Degree Bachelor of Communications (Extramural study in process), Google AdWords certif ied

Technology is getting smarter, greener, and more personalised. Conversations are continuing about the impact on people’s privacy, and the role of digital in creating a global, borderless marketplace. I’m really excited to see how digital technologies can improve health and wellbeing. Did you know there’s an app that can tell you if a mole is potentially cancerous? For a nation with the highest skin cancer rates in the world, that’s a great help.

What further opportunities are there for digital account managers to get into? New opportunities arise all the time in this industry. Companies are building their own digital capabilities in-house and international organisations can look worldwide for talent. This is an industry that can reward you if you’re passionate, ambitious and have a spark. I would love to see more women in the industry.

• Check out our blog on what skills and experience IT employers are looking for http://bit.ly/1SOUtUS • Visit our jobs database to see a full range of IT jobs http://bit.ly/1VyFO7o • Find us at careers.govt.nz/digital

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Accounting

Send your career into audit Name Amy

Maclaine

Have a knack for numbers and a way with people?

Role Audit

Analyst

Use your talents to investigate the financial history of clients from a range of different industries: become an auditor.

High School Carmel

Deloitte office Auckland

College

Institution University

of Auckland

BCom majoring in Accounting and a BMus majoring in Musicology Degree

My current role/study progression: I am currently working as an audit analyst at Deloitte, Auckland.

Day-to-day activities: Every day is so different! Without getting too technical, what we do in audit is basically take a client’s financial statements and test all the evidence behind the numbers to make sure that what they’re reporting to their shareholders is right. As I’m sure you can imagine, this involves a whole range of tasks; but let’s just say a typical day involves some numbercrunching, talking to the client, and working with your team. In Auckland we’re so lucky to have a wide range of jobs – from large corporates to small businesses with one person on the finance team; and industries that we get to work in – I’ve been everywhere from hotels and art galleries, to brick yards and manufacturing plants. You’re constantly learning and acquiring a broad range of knowledge and skills. Generally we’re out on jobs about 80% of the year, and on a different job every 1-3 weeks, so time flies!

Career path to date: I applied for internships at the start of my second-to-last year of uni and was lucky enough to get an offer with Deloitte. I chose audit because I like to keep my career opportunities broad and I knew that audit is a really good stepping stone for many other areas in the business world. I’m now in my third year here and will complete my CA (Chartered Accountancy) study at the end of this year.

twitter.com/DeloitteNZ 34

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Study: I studied a BCom majoring in Accounting and a BMus majoring in Musicology at Auckland Uni, after studying a range of subjects in high school which included calculus, accounting, English, French, and photography in my final year.

Do you have any advice for school students trying to figure out their next step? Don’t worry if you don’t know what you want to do for your career yet! I’ll let you in on a secret: many people way older than you still don’t. I totally recommend keeping your options open as this gives you plenty of leeway if you change your mind about something you’re studying, and a broader set of skills and knowledge that then give you a wide range of career paths to choose from. I can tell you that what you study in uni is often completely different to the equivalent job in the real world, so sometimes it pays to stick with it if you know it’s going to put you on the right track. Plan your study and career path realistically and be prepared to put in some hard yards to reach your goals, but remember to get involved in what interests you!

www.facebook.com/deloittegradsnz

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Get the Whitecliffe Edge FINE ARTS OPEN DAY / MONDAY 1 AUGUST PHOTO MEDIA OPEN DAY / TUESDAY 2 AUGUST FASHION DESIGN OPEN DAY / WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST GRAPHIC DESIGN OPEN DAY / THURSDAY 4 AUGUST ARTS THERAPY ARTS MANAGEMENT COMMENCING THIS JULY 18 week Certificate in Arts and Design & Certificate in Digital Media and Design

KELVIN TSE

Find out more at the ARTS and DESIGN OPEN DAY on Wednesday 22 June

www.whitecliffe.ac.nz

Engineering

Engineer a Brighter Future

Me Daniel et Ingram

Engineering apprenticeship offers the perfect career choice for Whakatane local. For 18-year-old Daniel Ingram, giving up his dream to work for an engineering company was never an option. The former Whakatane High School student is in his first year of a mechanical engineering apprenticeship at O-I Glass New Zealand. He started looking for an apprenticeship last August, sending out his CV to local engineering companies. “Last year I was applying for apprenticeships back in Whakatane, and one of them was with Carter Holt Harvey. This apprenticeship was run through Competenz,” Daniel says. “When I didn’t get the apprenticeship, I checked out the Competenz website and saw a video of O-I Glass. I thought it would be a cool place to work. Although they weren’t advertising any jobs, my mum encouraged me to send through an application form and it worked!” The process of applying for an apprenticeship with Competenz was much less daunting than Daniel expected. “I was contacted by the Competenz team, and was asked to fill out a questionnaire and do some basic tests. My parents brought me to Auckland and I had an interview with the team at O-I Glass,” he says. “In previous job interviews, I was interviewed by six people, which was nerve-wracking! But the team at O-I Glass, and Ged (Gerard Robbins, Competenz’s account manager), made me feel at ease throughout the whole process.” Daniel’s grandfather inspired him to pursue an engineering career. “I was always interested in my grandfather’s work. He’s a hydraulics specialist, which I thought was pretty cool,” he says.

“I did mechanical engineering at high school, as well as a Gateway programme at a local engineering company when I was in Year 12. I really enjoyed the experience. I did a range of basic jobs like welding and drilling holes.” Many of Daniel’s friends went on to university after school, but university never interested him. “I’ve always wanted to do an apprenticeship. I like the idea of getting paid while I learn. There’s no student debt,” he says. “I feel more comfortable learning in a work environment and there’s a higher chance of getting a job when I finish. Companies usually keep on an apprentice once they’ve got their qualification.” The team at O-I Glass have been supportive of Daniel every step of the way. “Every Tuesday, we work on our assignments. The team is always willing to help if I’m struggling.” Daniel’s advice to anyone wanting to do an apprenticeship? “Look everywhere. Hand in your CV at local workshops. Always check Trade Me and your local newspaper for any jobs being advertised. An apprenticeship is definitely worth pursuing.”

For more information on how you can kick-start your career in an apprenticeship in any of the 37 industries we support, visit the Competenz website: www.competenz.org.nz

Ever thought about having a career in trades? Competenz is an Industry Training Organisation (ITO) that helps students get into apprenticeships and on-the-job training. We work with businesses from 37 industries with many job options in engineering, forestry, bakery, butchery, printing, signmaking, manufacturing and more. What is on-the-job training?

Why train on-the-job?

On-the-job-training is exactly what you think it is. You learn skills while working and actually doing the job. First you learn the more basic skills. Then as you progress, you learn more advanced skills to do your job even better or gain more career opportunities. By career opportunities we mean things like: promotions, pay rises, new job opportunities, new learning opportunities… and all these add up having a really great career over your whole lifetime. There are different types of on-the-job training like gateway programmes, apprenticeships and traineeships.

On-the-job training means you: Earn while you learn – no student loan and you’re getting paid from day one. Most of the time you finish your training with a job instead of needing to look for one. You gain practical skills that employers really want (for even more job opportunities). You get a nationally recognised qualification that proves you’ve got what it takes.

There are over 20,000 learners that work in over 3,000 businesses. You can be one of them! Contact us today to find out more on how you can start your career. @competenz

competenzskills

0800 526 1800

competenz.org.nz

Arts

“It’s getting to look at things critically, take everything into account and learn in your own way rather than necessarily having a yes or no answer.”

Victoria student is taking her passion to the world Wellington is regarded as the cultural capital of New Zealand, and Victoria University of Wellington students such as Alex Barrow are uniquely placed to take advantage of everything it has to offer. By choosing to study arts at Victoria, Alex has put herself in the best position possible to reach her goals and go global. Alex has always known she wanted to be a journalist. A lecture by a reporter at a Young Leader’s Day left an impression on a then 14-yearold Alex and started her on a path that has seen her travel the world and explore her dream. Alex is studying Anthropology and Media Studies at Victoria University. While attending a Study at Victoria Open Day she happened on an Anthropology lecture, and felt it would pair well with Media Studies. It is a mix that has worked well. “I came to Victoria Open Day and went to an Anthropology lecture and it just clicked. “I love meeting new people and hearing their stories; being able to study Anthropology and Media Studies has allowed me to do that. I’ve always loved writing and wanted to be a journalist, and these subjects have allowed me to explore what I want to learn in that field.” Getting as much experience as possible has been a priority for Alex. She has made the most of her time as a student by writing for a number of publications, including the student magazine Salient, 38

and music magazine Undertheradar. The opportunity that has reaped the most rewards however, came through Victoria’s Bachelor of Arts Internship programme. “I got placed at Lucire fashion magazine where I was a writer and covered things from beauty reviews to celebrity stories to fashion weeks. Doing the internship has allowed me to get real work experience and realise that this is exactly what I want to be doing.” During her time with the magazine she was also sent on assignment to Malaysia and the Solomon Islands and says it’s these international experiences that could serve her best in the future. “The ultimate dream is to work for National Geographic and to get there I think I need to do a lot of travelling and freelancing and writing for different audiences.” An arts degree at Victoria has allowed Alex the space to develop her thinking and ideas about the world around her. “It’s getting to look at things critically, take everything into account and learn in your own way rather than necessarily having a yes or no answer.” As she comes to the end of her time at Victoria, Alex is reflecting on how her student experience has changed her and her outlook. “Since starting at Victoria, I’ve definitely changed, in the sense that I look at the world around me in a different way, in a more approachable way. I think more critically about the media, and that’s possibly the best way to look at it if I’m wanting to go into journalism.”

Victoria University of Wellington

INFORMATION EVENINGS North Shore – 31 May Northland – 1 June Nelson – 8 June Christchurch – 16 June Hawkes Bay – 21 June New Plymouth – 28 June Tauranga – 29 June Rotorua – 30 June South Auckland – 6 July Hamilton – 7 July Auckland Central – 4 August

victoria.ac.nz/information-evenings 39

at first Finding and starting th me re so job can be scary - here a u! tips and tricks to help yo

The world of work is changing, so what are the best ways to increase your employability following secondary school? Employability is a broad term. Ultimately, it’s about how YOU can add value to a business’ activity.

It comes down to four things:

A Secondary School Student’s

Workplace Survival Guide

1 Personal attributes 2 Skill set 3 Previous experiences 4 Qualification/s A willingness to learn and grow, and the ability to show initiative are vital. Why wait until you’re leaving school to increase your employability? There are lots of things you can do in and out of school that can prepare you for work.

How can students be prepared to enter an

If you’re a student, it’s helpful to:

ever-changing world of work? Pat Cody

• Engage in part-time and voluntary work This builds self-belief and teaches you some of the hidden behavioural expectations present in the workplace, as well as the personal attributes that are valued there. Research suggests that if a young person has had four or more experiences of working with different employers, they are more likely to make a positive transition into work. Most schools even have work-based training programmes such as Gateway for example.

from Careers New Zealand discusses which skills and attributes employers look for, and how to build these at school. The core of employability, Pat explains, is self-belief. Pat’s advice is essential reading for both students and their parents.

• Participate in extracurricular activities Again, this builds self-belief as well as attributes like adaptability, and the ability to work in a team and manage time effectively. Gaining a range of experiences from these activities can also help students to determine which areas they excel in, and which ones they need to work on. These activities can be in areas such as sport, drama, school committees, or project work. Employers also look for some basics regarding self-management: presenting yourself well, being punctual, being drug-free, and having a driver’s licence. They also look to see that you can work well with others. Additionally, they’ll often talk about that magic quality of having the right “attitude”, which means different things to different people. So, it’s important for a young person and their parents to foster their motivation to learn and adapt, communicate, collaborate, show initiative and adjust to workplace cultures.

Meet Pat Cody from Careers New Zealand

NextStep//ISSUE 5

It’s very helpful for a student to acknowledge their experiences – of previous work, sport, or projects; their skills; and their achievements. They need to feel comfortable talking and writing about these experiences and demonstrating them. This allows employers to get a sense of the skills, attributes and experiences that the student can bring to their business.

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Looking into the future world of work, which industries/careers do you see growing significantly, and why? What does this mean for NZ’s youth?

What are the three most important soft (employability-related) skills that a young person should try to develop to prepare them for the workplace?

These are often the most difficult questions, as there are so many variables to take into consideration: technology, the environment, different demographics, and changing global economic conditions. Our population is growing, ageing, and diversifying. This drives a demand for jobs in certain industries, particularly:

‘Soft skills’ are your personal attributes and attitude, which can enhance your employability. These skills complement ‘hard skills’, which are job-specific abilities.

•H ealth and social care At the last Census, one in 10 people were employed within these sectors. • Infrastructure Civil engineers and construction tradespeople are needed to work on roads, bridges and buildings. • Agriculture and horticulture We have an economy that is still heavily based on working the land, so these industries require scientists, technologists and business managers to make the most of our agricultural production. • Information technology (IT) Most businesses and organisations rely on IT to help conduct their work, and they will continue to do so. The implication for our youth is that entry into many of these occupations requires competence in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). For those not that way inclined, MBIE (the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) predicts hospitality and retail will be a longterm growth area for employment until 2024. Overall, occupations that require highly skilled workers are forecast to grow at a faster rate than those employing lowerskilled workers. Industries are still looking for specialist technical and professional skills, but also skills that are transferable across a range of work settings and industries. The theme is flexibility, adaptability and initiative within the workplace. The way in which work is being organised and delivered is also changing. Contractual roles are on the rise, which means that workers will need to be more flexible with their time and with their ability to apply their skills. They will also have to ensure more financial planning due to the temporary and inconsistent nature of contract work.

Your ability to self-market is a soft skill that helps you to get a job in the first place. Self-marketing involves the ability to competently construct a CV and cover letter, as well as being consistently punctual and drug-free. First of all, it’s imperative to have a certain degree of self-belief, because other qualities can arise from this – qualities such as: • Perseverance Because working and looking for work can be challenging; • Adaptability Because the economy, the workforce, and technology will keep changing, and people will have to change with them; • The desire to learn This is closely connected to adaptability, and involves using initiative to create curiosity. I would emphasise that no employability skills exist in isolation – they are all interconnected; so in some ways, it’s flawed to think that you can choose 3-4 to focus on. It’s also important to have transferable skills that can be applied across a range of jobs and industries, and which therefore tend to lead to ongoing employment. Such skills include: • Creativity and innovation The ability to look at a challenge or problem and devise new solutions. This will give rise to further business opportunities. • Critical thinking and problem solving The competitive and ever-changing nature of business requires the ability to carry out analysis of information and consider solutions, especially in IT. • Communication and collaboration Workplaces rely on the ability to do these things for efficiency and effectiveness. One without the other is not helpful and can be limiting. The diversification of the workforce means that you need to be able to connect and communicate with people of all ages, from many different cultural backgrounds – including being able to communicate via the Internet with people who are overseas.

Go to careers.govt.nz for more great advice

Check out schoolconnect.co.nz

Apiculture

What’s the buzz on beekeeping? Last year, Adam Hussey abandoned the fluorescent lights at a Hamilton supermarket for a position as a junior beekeeper at Comvita’s Waikato apiary. When a friend’s parent told him there was a beekeeping job going in Te Awamutu, Adam jumped on the opportunity. “I love beekeeping. I can keep fit and I get to see a lot of New Zealand countryside. I feel quite lucky,” says Adam. Adam works eight to 12 hours a day, five or six days a week. There are quieter times too though, so it balances out. “I mostly work at different hive sites in the Waikato area. Back at site, I store gear, prepare new hives or fix existing ones; and use the honey extraction facility. “My responsibilities change throughout the year. At the start of the season I’ll load the hives with protein supplements. Later on, I’ll put super honey boxes on the hives, or split the hives so they’re all evenly sized. I’m also responsible for inserting queen excluders to stop the queen bees getting up into the honey boxes,” he says. Outside of work, Adam is into motorsport, and is also a keen motorbike rider. An alumnus of Hamilton Boys’ High School, Adam says he was most interested in physics, calculus and food technology at school. Despite gaining his Level 3 Apiculture certificate through Comvita, he insists he’s ‘more of a hands-on learner’. One thing is for sure – Adam’s planning to stay in the beekeeping industry for a long while yet. “I’m really happy with where I am at the moment. The beekeeping industry is growing so rapidly and skilled apiarists are now highly sought after. I’ll wait and see which avenues become available to me as I gain more experience,” says Adam.

Me Adam Het ussey

Building Better Beekeeping In order to Build Better Beekeeping, Comvita offers a fully paid cadet programme so those who are interested in the apiculture industry gain the right knowledge and practical skills to be the best they can be. Out in the field, cadets work in small teams and are buddied up with experienced beekeepers to help them on their way.

Comvita’s Cadet programme offers: • Full time, paid employment • A study programme so cadets achieve a National Certificate in Apiculture – Level 2 • All personal protective equipment and other beekeeping tools.

Comvita is looking for cadets who’are: • hard-working and eager to learn about the industry • Committed to ongoing, personal development • Physically fit • Open to working longer hours during the summer months, including some weekends. Comvita has six beekeeping operations across the North Island, in Kerikeri, Te Awamutu, Whanganui, East Cape, Hawke’s Bay and Carterton, all of which are all looking for cadets to start during the 2016/2017 season. Start dates are flexible, but during December ’16 or May ’17 is preferred. Cadets who start with Comvita during December will spend their first six months as paid general hands. To apply for Comvita’s Cadet programme, email cadets@comvita.com or phone 07 533 1718.

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Study smarter with a

school-leaver scholarship Getting yourself set for study can be a big task. Here are our three of our top picks for scholarships that will start you off on the right foot in tertiary education.

PwC Scholarship Your future is up to you. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen. To be the best you can be, you need the best opportunities. And the opportunities start with us.

So, let’s go! The PwC Scholarship has been created to give you the best start possible. The skills, knowledge and relationships you’ll build with us will benefit you for life.

Choose the opportunity of a lifetime.

With our scholarship programme you’ll be off to a great start: • $7,000 towards your university fees over the course of your degree • a PwC staff member to mentor you during your study • a paid summer internship to develop the foundation skills for your career • access to business networks amongst the best and brightest minds in New Zealand at our social and scholarship events • the opportunity to learn about what we do behind the scenes, so you can choose the career path that best suits you.

We tackle a huge range of business issues and complex commercial challenges to boost the performance of all sorts of organisations. So it’s not surprising that we offer a variety of opportunities.

We know you want to stamp your mark on the world as fast as you can and we’re here to give you the opportunity, support and confidence to do just that. Visit our website choose.pwc.co.nz/school-scholarships.

AMP Scholarship

Keystone Trust

The AMP Scholarship Programme is Coming of Age

At Keystone Trust, we have been giving students a hand-up into property related tertiary studies for the past 21 years.

With 18 years of running AMP Scholarships under its belt, AMP has dedicated more than $2 million towards helping over 160 everyday Kiwis achieve their goals. The scholarship programme has, over the years, invited Kiwi’s of all ages, from all over the country to share their dreams and take the next step towards achieving their goals by applying for a scholarship to ‘do their thing’. The AMP Study Start Scholarship is for a Year 12 or 13 student who is aiming to make a positive difference in New Zealand through their field of study or training. You don’t have to be a straight A student but you do need to be passionate and determined to do your thing. The scholarship is worth up to $10,000. Applications for AMP Scholarships 2016 open on 1 July. To apply visit ampscholarships.co.nz

We believe that irrespective of your background, if you have a desire to follow your dream to become part of the property and construction industry, we will help you get there. Keystone Study Awards are one of the most significant study grants available to property and construction sector students. Receive financial assistance for up to 3 years, take advantage of mentoring and networking opportunities and gain exposure through work experience, site visits and events with the best in New Zealand’s commercial property and construction industries. “With the support of the trust, scholarship partners, sponsors and supporters I now know that my future goals are more than capable of achieving” Olivia Heighton, 2016 Keystone Study Award recipient. Applications are open 1st June – 10th August. Full information on Keystone Study Awards on the Keystone website: www.keystonetrust.org.nz. or email: info@keystonetrust.org.nz

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Window-shopping

for a career – try it before you buy it!

We spoke to three experts and asked them how to prepare for life after school. Secondary school career counsellors Denise Grimmer, Debbie Driver and Sally Graham joined forces and gave us a jetpack full of options.

Explore your Options Denise: Try work experience or a gateway e are course before you leave school. Thes do. to like you what g seein of ways t grea

DEBBIE DRIVER

Debbie: Grab any opportunity that comes on to make you into a well-rounded pers job. first ready for university or your

Sally: Keep options open by continuing with science, English or maths for as long as possible.

Find Out More Sally: Look into your career ideas by talking to your careers advisor and people already in the job. Debbie: Attend university open days including accommodation places to see which will suit you. Look at the courses offered, how close you want to be to home, and how affordable each option is. Talk to first-year students - they’re a fountain of knowledge!

Denise: Try out a different lecture at university or tackle a challenge within your workplace. Think of failures as an opportunity to learn.

Sally: Attain the right skills: job-specific skills are gained through training and/or through further study. “Soft” skills (e.g. communication and teamwork) can be gained through part-time/voluntary work or extracurricular activities such as sports, community groups and hobbies.

Sally Graham

It’s OK to change your mind Denise: Figure out what you love and give it a FAIR go. Ask yourself “Is this for me?” Sally: Career plans do change, and sometimes it’s out of your control. Your skills, learning and experiences can be drawn on, transferred and built upon as the situations change.

Debbie: Visit the SchoolConnect and No Major Drama websites to see the course and career options available that relate to the subjects you may like to pursue.

Land your First Job Denise: Be prepared before going to the interview – research the company and show interest in it. Be on time and dress to impress! Make your CV stand out by proving each skill you write about.

Just do it!

DENISE GRIMMER

Sally adds: “Don’t despair if plans are unclear when you leave school! Take a ‘gap’ experience to further explore. Consider full/part-time work, study, travel, voluntary work and free Youth Guarantee courses.”

Sally: Get to know the job market. Increase job opportunities by training in a field with skill shortages. However, determination can go a long way in fields with limited opportunities!

Check out schoolconnect.co.nz

Debbie: Get assistance to build up your CV so that it highlights your skills and abilities.

NextStep//ISSUE 5

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Plumbing

IT’S A PLUMB JOB Both practical and book-smart? Ryan McQuade takes on physical and mental challenges every day as an apprentice plumber and gas-fitter for E.G. Glennie & Co.

M Ryan Meet cQuad e

What are you training towards? I’m in my second year of a four-year plumbing and gas-fitting apprenticeship through Masterlink at Wellington firm E.G. Glennie & Co.

Why did you choose plumbing? I’ve always enjoyed being practical and hands-on. Plumbing is physically challenging but there’s also a lot to get your head around, which is good.

What kind of work do you do each day? E.G. Glennie & Co is a cool company to work for because they do everything. I could be piping out the water and waste for a bathroom alteration, installing a gas continuous flow hot water system, or doing commercial maintenance work. As an apprentice, I go out on jobs with a registered tradesperson, who supervises my work. I’m not always with the same person. You learn different things from different people.

How did you get into the apprenticeship? After leaving high school in Napier, I did a plumbing and gas-fitting pretrade course at Unitec in Auckland. This wasn’t compulsory, but it gave me a good grounding and made things easier for me when I started work. I moved to Wellington and tried to find an apprenticeship with a plumbing firm. E.G. Glennie’s was the first company I contacted because someone recommended them to me. There was no vacancy at the time, but I called them each month to see if anything had come up. I also signed up with Masterlink, a nationwide scheme that employs apprentices in plumbing, gas-fitting, drain-laying and roofing and places them with firms for their on-the-job training.

What about learning the theory? Every 17 weeks or so, I go to WelTec for a one-week block course to be assessed on my theory studies. Bob McCoy, my Masterlink Regional Manager, also meets with my boss and me every quarter to discuss progress. It’s nice to have this support, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go to Bob if I ever needed anything.

How is your apprenticeship going? I’m enjoying it. I was really surprised and happy to be nominated by my boss recently for a Plumbing World Scholarship. I was one of five Masterlink apprentices to receive the $1,000 scholarship at the 2016 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. I don’t see plumbing as a job, but as a career where you can make good money. There’s plenty of opportunity for growth and someday I’d like to run my own business.

You get paid while you do the apprenticeship and they make it easier for you by sorting all your safety gear, tools and block courses. They also pay your training fees for the whole four years. After six months, EG Glennie’s took me on as a Masterlink apprentice, so I ended up working where I’d hoped to be.

Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Xero in on your career For Kirk, getting to work on one of New Zealand’s most successful digital platforms all started with a desire to learn to code back in high school. What made you choose software development? Wha sparked your interest in this area? I have a fascination with coding and was really keen to learn how software works. Once I started writing code, I found it was really rewarding to see software that I’d written being put into action.

How have you found your time at Xero so far and how does it fit in with your overall career goals? I’ve really enjoyed working at Xero so far. The graduate programme is designed to give us the chance to learn about various areas of software development in the first year. After that, I’ll have a better idea of which one I want to specialise in.

What exciting projects have you worked on since you’ve started? The main project I’ve been working on since starting is XUI, Xero’s CSS framework. Xero’s front end developers use XUI to create the pages you see when you use the software. It defines what everything looks like on a page, from buttons and links, to pop-up windows and everything in between. I’ve also worked on the header which is shared by all of the pages in Xero. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the work I do reflected in the Xero website and know that it’s seen by thousands of people every day.

Name: Kirk

Holloway

Secondary School: Rangitoto University: Massey

College

University

Qualification: Bachelor of Information Science, major in Software Engineering

What makes Xero a great place to work? What I enjoy the most is the chance to work with very talented developers who take the time to share their knowledge. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming at work, and I’m included in all sorts of events. I learn everyday from mentors and team members who are helping me to develop my skills.

What advice could you give for anyone who wants to be a developer?

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SOMETHING THE XERO GRAD PROGRAMME

My best advice would be to code as much as you can. While studying at school or university, do every assignment available and take time to understand how each part works. Have a go using interactive websites that help you learn to code. There are also internships available while you are studying. Start looking for a grad role at the start of your final year in uni; they hire really early and provide a great starting point for your career.

Where do you see yourself heading in the future? At the moment I’m enjoying learning as much as I can. I’m not sure yet what I’d like to specialise in but I know I want to become a technical expert, and I know Xero will help me get there. 46

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Keep Ahead EASY BIB (STUDY TOOL) An app that generates all your citations for you in MLA, APA and Chicago format. Just scan the book code or enter a title. You will find that a lot of your time at uni will be spent on correctly citing sources for assignments. This app will save you time and take the stress out of correct formatting.

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