your guide to study and career options
loans, hostels, courses ... enrolling for uni was getting a bit much for gina ... i don’t know.. what to do next year! someone tell me what to do!
her facebook plea is heard, but is she getting the right advice? you know there’s better places for help than facebook!
it looks like gina’s not the only one struggling ... what are you lot talking about? are you stuck about what you’re doing after school too?!
but i don’t know what to do! so many choices ... how will i know i’ve made the right one?
heaps of options to try ... as long as you know where to look. it’s the end of the year. time to go their separate ways ...
that’s it then, we’re out of here!
but we’re going to see each other still, right?
yeah, next month and you’ll be super fit from basic training. for sure ... and i expect to see you guys at graduation!
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INTRODUCTION: From the Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand NEW PRESSURES: Tips for maintaining good mental health BUILDER: From barista to award-winning self-employed builder SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER: Inspired student becomes inspirational teacher FARMING: A city kid’s dream of becoming a farmer comes true INTERVIEW ADVICE: How to secure the job you want with confidence BUSINESS: A decision to switch from triathlons to fund management pays dividends FASHION: A love of clothes leads to a varied career in fashion CV ADVICE: Creating a winning CV and covering letter VITICULTURE: Winemaking degree offers global opportunities FINANCIAL ADVICE: Great tips to help you be financially savvy FOOD SCIENCE: Ever wondered how chocolate is made? PLUMBING: Masterlink apprentice’s future looks bright RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES: Get the inside scoop about living on campus ENGINEERING: Family an inspiration for engineer hoping for a future in renewable energy STRETCHSENSE: Academic success leads to an award-winning business STQRY: A teen entrepreneur’s storytelling app takes on the world LAW: Graduate scores a job with Chief Justice NURSING: Great camaraderie on the ward PARAMEDICINE: A rewarding job where no two days are ever the same CULINARY ARTS: Chef inspired by Food Truck’s Michael van de Elzen DIGITAL MEDIA: Living the dream drawing for video games HAIRDRESSING: Styling with the seasons SPORTS CAREER: Study and sport, we meet a Vodafone Eco-Warrior COMPUTERS: Teen mum inspires other young Pasifika people SCIENCE: Science degree the perfect choice for this adventurer FITTER MACHINIST: A childhood dream comes true VISUAL ARTS & DESIGN: Creativity reigns supreme PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING: Tone Kolose inspired to teach by his own school teachers RETAIL: Musician meets and greets stars at the Rockshop graphic design: Scope of work available is huge for graduates electrician: A fascination with how things work led to apprenticeship career clinic: Advice for parents on supporting their teens land your dream job: Thousands of graduates required in booming primary industries cuisine: ServiceIQ’s 2013 Apprentice Chef of the Year BOATBUILDING: Building a career in the marine industry PHYSICS: Dispelling the stereotypes of a career in physics SPONSORSHIP: Thinking outside the box when job hunting pays off RURAL: Getting ahead with Beef + Lamb MUSIC: Singer inspired to a life of opera at age 16 motor TRADE: Life in the fast lane of performance cars key dates: All the critical information you need about applying for courses
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LEAVING SCHOOL | 27 JULY 2014
introduction by Rt Hon John Key – Prime Minister
Attitude is everything
4
Leaving school is a defining moment in your life. For most, it is bitter-sweet. The excitement of earning your way in the world is tempered by sadness at leaving behind friends and trepidation of an unknown future. ARTS
L ARCT TSION ISRUOAD INT INVATR SIGNION ND DEU
In my final year at Burnside High School I was looking forward to studying at Canterbury University. Looking back, getting a good education was one of the most important factors that allowed me to achieve my dreams. As Prime Minister, I travel all over New Zealand, and it would be rare for me not to visit a school, and speak to students every week. And, no matter what the school, how old the students are, or where in New Zealand it is, the one message I consistently deliver is that, in life, it is attitude that is more important than ability.
Attitude is about knowing where you are going and the determination to get you there. It is about dreaming big and working hard. Along the way, you will find people who will be determined to slow you down, dent those dreams and distract you from your goal. And sometimes life just throws curve balls. It’s your attitude that will see you through. Success is not an accident. By whatever method you define success, the world’s most successful people have always had a deep belief that they could succeed and worked hard to make that happen. They may have come from backgrounds just like yours, had an education just like yours, and had their share of obstacles on the way.
As you head out into the world, whether you are going on to university or polytechnic, into an apprenticeship, or into employment, it is your attitude that will define who you are and how people view you.
The only difference between those who succeeded and those who did not is how they viewed their future.
This is not to say that ability is not important as well, but it is attitude that will carry the day while you get that ability up to speed.
Make sure you get yourself a good one.
Mostly, it was all about attitude.
Attitude is about having belief in yourself and respect for others. Your lecturers at university and your future employers will certainly value the qualifications you gain on the way, but they will rate you just as much on your attitude to yourself and others.
THE RT HONOURABLE JOHN KEY, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND
STUDYING AT VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON WILL HELP YOU TO QUESTION, TO CHALLENGE AND TO KNOW YOUR MIND, WHEREVER YOUR STUDIES TAKE YOU. A Victoria University degree is world class. Our reputation attracts the very best staff and students from around the globe, and Victoria is ranked as the leading university in New Zealand for research quality. Not only do our students learn from some of the best and the brightest, they get to study in the ‘coolest little capital in the world’.
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29 AUGUST Study at Victoria Open Day Explore study options, attend expos, get course planning advice and see our campuses.
1 OCTOBER Accommodation applications due In 2015, Victoria will have even more spaces available for firstyear students.
15 SEPTEMBER Scholarship applications close This year there are 400 Excellence Scholarships and 70 Achiever Scholarships to be awarded.
1 OCTOBER Online enrolments open Apply early as space in some programmes is limited.
victoria.ac.nz 0800 VICTORIA (842 867)
HOW FAR CAN YOU GO?
Tamara Johnson’s cooking skills took her to Orlando, Florida, after becoming the ServiceIQ Apprentice Chef of the Year in 2013. Adam Jackson loves music, and earns a living at The Rockshop by sharing his musical knowledge and working with instruments, new gear and fellow musos. ServiceIQ’s work skills qualifications are nationallyrecognised and can open up a great career in the service industry. It’s an industry that offers a huge
range of opportunities in New Zealand and overseas. From introduction programmes, to courses for managers and business owners, ServiceIQ’s training will help you bring your best to your service career. Learn by doing with training that’s practical and relevant. You earn while you learn, so you build relevant experience without dragging around a student loan. For more information about great careers in the service industry, and to find out more about ServiceIQ’s training programmes, contact us now.
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Leaving home creates new pressures
MAINTAINING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IS CRUCIAL FOR ALL STUDENTS by Dr KIM Maiai, Director of Student Health University of Otago
SOUND ADVICE
FOR THE WAY AHEAD
Think and feel for yourself. It can be very easy to be swayed by friends and peers to do things that you wouldn’t normally consider to be a good idea. Cultivate and listen to your ‘inner voice’, and if it feels like a bad idea, maybe it is. This applies to all areas of life, but is core to good decision making around drug and sexual experimentation. A. lcohol and drugs. For students who have an ongoing mental health issue, the use of alcohol and other drugs is not the answer. Avoidance of these is almost certainly the best course. Drinking to numb yourself or escape from difficult thoughts and feelings has a low success rate, both academically and socially. PHOTO CREDIT: University of Canterbury Staff Photographer.
Leaving home, starting university in a new town, setting up a flat, making new friends, managing your budget, trying to fit in, maintaining a good grade point average, going to parties… For many young people, this is just what they have been waiting for; for others the thought alone is petrifying; and for most, the reality is probably a bit of both. The novelty of living away from home creates new pressure for students. This pressure is usually transformative with students rising to the various life challenges, learning something about themselves and the wider world, and having the time of their life. This is the script, and it is great when all goes to plan.
perhaps there is even family – or selfimposed – expectations that the student should be able to fend for themselves completely. The Like Minds campaign, and now the National Depression Initiative championed by Sir John Kirwan has brought depression out of the shadows and into the conversation in homes, schools and workplaces.
Do the basics well. Sleep well and for long enough (eight hours plus); be aware of what you are putting into your body and its effect on how you feel; this applies to food, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; enjoy the company of your friends but not to the exclusion of all else; remember that you have a course of study to successfully complete, undue delays will incur stress, cost and inconvenience. A problem shared is a problem halved. If you suspect that you, or someone you know, is struggling with poor mental health, ask for help early from someone you trust. All universities offer accessible and confidential counselling and health services whose staff is very familiar with issues that commonly arise for students. Other trusted sources may include residential college staff, academic staff and friends, and let’s not forget, parents are only a phone call away. Youthline is a useful resource, it is both online and phone-based: www.youthline.co.nz or phone 0800 376 633 or free text to 234.
If we accept mental health as a bandwidth that we all occupy (from the very bad to the very good), it follows that our own position on the range will vary according to what is going on in our lives. Students are no different. Key success factors for students in the maintenance of good mental health are well covered at www.depression.org .Expression of thoughts of harm are a sign of poor menThis new environment can unmask long- and I encourage all young people and tal health and should prompt the student or friends and whanau to standing difficulties, or highlight areas their families to have a browse. seek urgent professional assistance from local health services or requiring personal development for the In general terms, the adjacent 5-step telephone helpline. student. Whanau, family or old friends advice to students and their whanau goes Check out www.lifeline.org.nz or phone 0800 543 354. are not as readily available as before, and a long way. Student life is often classed as the best time of all times; where it falls short of the mark a “back-to-basics” approach is almost always helpful coupled with the curiosity and bravery to ask for help from trusted sources. D r Kim Maiai is a GP and is the director of a dedicated student health service to students of the Dunedin campus at the University of Otago. His team comprises a large group of GPs, a psychiatrist, nurses, a health educator and counsellors, all working together for better overall student health. www.leavingschool.co.nz
7
THE ROAD TO YOUR DREAMS is not always A fast, direct route
From barista to builder by SARA CARBERY
8
BUILDING TRADE
4 RHYS DOESBURG: “It’s never too late to start.”
Rhys, right, is pictured with apprentice Benjamin Madden.
While he didn’t struggle with schoolwork, Rhys Doesburg admits he wasn’t a model student. “I was a bit disruptive and a bit cheeky, which is often the case with people who are very good with practical things. I was probably a bit bored.” Wanting to earn some cash, and perhaps looking for some stimulation, Rhys got a job washing dishes, before quickly moving through the ranks working variously as fill-in chef, barista and barman in his hometown of Dunedin. He left school at the end of Year 11 to work full-time in the hospitality industry. These days, 28-year-old Rhys is an awardwinning builder and the owner and manager of Wellington-based Doesburg Construction. So, how did he get from barista to builder? When he was 19 and “sick of the split shifts and late nights” of the hospitality industry, Rhys started looking around for something else he could do. He’d always been good with his hands so he seized the opportunity of building fences and decks, having seen the job advertised. After a couple of years labouring, Rhys decided he liked building and was good at it, but he
wanted a qualification. “I needed to be qualified for my pay rate to reflect my skill set.” Having applied for an apprenticeship three times and pretty much giving up, Rhys upped sticks and moved to Tauranga for a “working holiday”. Eight months later he got a phone call out of the blue to say he had an apprenticeship in the Wairarapa if he wanted it. The stars had aligned, and at 21, Rhys started his BCITO apprenticeship, completing it just two-and-a-half years later “because of [his] not-too-bad skill set”. He not only qualified, he won a raft of awards including the Registered Master Builders’ Apprentice of the Year (Wellington region); placing second at Nationals; Charles Rooking Carter High Achiever Award; NZIBO Best Trade Student; and the Wairarapa Workforce Development Trust Apprentice of the Year. “The awards gave me the confidence to think, ‘I can do this.’” After a year working for someone else, Rhys went out on his own. A shop-fit of a high-profile hair salon in downtown Wellington led to a number of other jobs, including his current project – a major refit of the Empire Cinema in Island Bay. Rhys admits that being self-employed suits his personality. “If you’re my personality type, self-
driven with a vision for yourself, it’s hard to have people put boundaries on you. “I’m working harder now than ever in my life, but it’s very autonomous. I decide how many hours I work and what sort of jobs I take on.” His first message to school leavers is: you don’t have to go straight into an apprenticeship. “You can do a pre-trade course or be a labourer to see if you like it. “If you’re not sure what to do but you know you can push a wheelbarrow and dig a hole, have a crack at it. Initially, it will be hard work as people measure you up, but it will get easier and easier, and at least you’re earning and busy and getting to know yourself.” His second message is: it’s never too late to start. He has an apprentice working for him who is 31, a psychology graduate and a self-taught tattooist. “We met through friends when I needed a hand for a week and he stayed on. After six months, he decided to do an apprenticeship and he’s doing really well.” find out more about building O Toapprenticeships check out www.bcito.org.nz
10
by ROBYN YOUSEF
VISUAL ARTS
The passion Maila Alatasi has for her job as an English teacher and Dean at Massey High School overflows in her conversation. She has been at the same school for eight years and loves her job and her school. Maila, 29, was born in Auckland. She is one of four children to Samoan parents, who moved here in the 1980s and instilled the value of education in their children. “They knew the importance of a good education and the opportunities it could offer,” Maila explains. She went to Avondale College and had always considered working with young people. “I had an enjoyable experience at school, largely due to the fantastic opportunities I was offered, but also the great teachers that helped me realise my potential. Their mentoring and encouragement gave me confidence and I wanted to share, encourage and hopefully inspire other young people, too.”
After four years at the University of Auckland, Maila graduated with a conjoint degree – Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education. She was in the last cohort to go through this programme before its merger with Auckland College of Education in Epsom. She knew immediately from her first year of study that she’d made the right career move. “Right from the very start, I was not only learning about theory and pedagogy, but seeing that in action through observations in schools across Auckland. “I picked up strategies and appreciated the effort teachers put into lesson planning and task design to be effective teachers. The results were obvious: engaged students enjoying learning and I remember thinking I want to be a part of that.” Working in a large, multicultural decile five school with a combined teaching and support staff of about 150, gave Maila opportunities to further her career in other roles. This included TIC of Junior English to Acting Head of
4 MAILA ALATASI: Learning is a pathway to open doors. English and Faculty Leader of Language and Languages; she is now Dean of Anawhata School at Massey High School. While she revels in teaching English, Maila also enjoys her position as Dean – especially the pastoral side of mentoring. “Academic counselling is a programme that started at Massey High and many schools across NZ have now adopted. We mentor students through their goal setting, subject selection and track their results so that they are on target to achieving. The interactions with students are really positive and it is great to see them excited and focused on their goals and future.” In the classroom, Maila is inspired by children who ask questions, who are really enthusiastic and engaged in discussions. “They are the students who can make connections between a text that we are analysing and their own backgrounds and the relevance to the world they live in. They love learning
and see it as a pathway to open doors.” While Massey High School has similar problems to other large secondary schools, Maila says that she is also inspired by students who are taking more responsibility within her school and actively participating in student-driven initiatives to address some of these problems. Maila feels privileged to be working as a teacher and dean. She definitely recommends the teaching profession to young school leavers as a great career choice. “With teaching, you are constantly learning and finding ways to improve your craft. It’s exhausting but a very, very rewarding job.”
O To find out more about teaching check out www.TeachNZ.govt.nz
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LAND OF MILK AND HONEY
Agriculture industry filled with opportunities by SARA CARBERY Cole Groves was a city kid who dreamed of being a dairy farmer. During the school holidays he’d journey south from his home in Auckland to the Waikato where his stepaunt was a sharemilker. “As a seven-yearold, I think being covered in mud, being on the back of a motorbike and getting up early was extremely fun and completely different to town life,” he remembers. When his aunt switched to growing kiwifruit, Cole wasn’t deterred; on weekends he headed north to help out on a friend’s uncle’s farm near Maungaturoto. One summer holidays was spent working on a farm near Whangarei, milking 300 cows. After finishing school at King’s College, and still undeterred by the 4 am starts and hard work that are part-and-parcel of life on a dairy farm, Cole went to Lincoln University, graduating with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours, six years ago. Now, Cole is aged 27, married to Virginia and the couple have a four-month-old daughter, Ebony. He is sharemilking 900 cows on his parentsin-law’s farm at Pleasant Point, north of Timaru. “We own the cows, they own the land,” he explains.
Through his role as Chairman of Young Farmers, Cole is aware there’s a shortage of young people working in the rural sector. He’s part of a mentoring scheme called In2 the Field that encourages high school students to visit farms or rural support services to gain experience and careers advice. “We need more young people in agriculture so we’re more than willing to help.” As New Zealand’s biggest income earner, career prospects in the agricultural sector “are huge”, says Cole. And it’s not just on-the-farm jobs – the support sector of agriculture is crying out for skilled people as well. “You could be a rural bank manager, an agricultural scientist, a rep for a fertiliser or seed company, a farm advisor, a rural accountant, a Dairy NZ Consultancy Officer, work for Fonterra – any number of things.” He points out that university isn’t the only route into the sector – on-farm training via a rural apprenticeship is an option many take. Besides the potential to make a good living, there are many things Cole loves about being a dairy farmer. “Being my own boss and working outside every day; the fact that every day is different and
I don’t have to commute to work; and working with animals is pretty good, especially when you own them.”
FARMING
Cole studied a variety of subjects at school, including geography and maths, which have stood him in good stead. “It’s not just about putting cups on cows, it’s all the business side as well, such as measuring animal intakes and relating that to milk production. And one of the larger aspects to my role now is managing staff and getting the best out of them, so that they grow personally and within our business, too.” With a growing number of corporate farms in New Zealand, Cole admits there aren’t as many sharemilking opportunities as there used to be, but the flipside is that there are more large-scale management jobs for people who have the skills and experience. Cole has dreams of owning his own farm one day, once the loan for his herd is paid off. Although land is expensive, ownership is still achievable, he says, particularly if you go down the path of an equity partnership, buying land as part of a group.
4 C OLE GROVES:
Already has his own herd, now well down the road to owning his own farm.
To find out more about careers in the rural sector, Ocheck out www.getahead.co.nz
13
MAKE YOUR INTERVIEW THE WINNING ONE
Be well prepared and secure the job by ROBYN YOUSEF
14
When executives go to a job interview they generally have their “elevator pitch” ready; that is, a potted history of their working life. School leavers should also have a similar pitch prepared using shining examples of successful part-time jobs, and awards at school or on the sporting field.
VISNUTAERL VAIRETWS ADVICE
Bobbi Ryan is a partner in a boutique search and selection business in Auckland. She has interviewed thousands of job candidates over her 17 years in recruitment. Here, she shares advice on how school leavers should handle interviews. Preparation: Know where you are going and how you will get there (where to park the car, or bus timetables) Make sure you are on time, but no more than 10 minutes early Know the names of the people you are meeting
•
• •
4 PREPARATION:
Being well prepared is the key to a successful interview.
• Dress appropriately. Unless it’s a job in • Use your research on people in the comthe fashion industry, err on the conservative side Make sure you smell nice – don’t forget deodorant, but don’t overdo fragrance Google the company, and research what they do Google the names of the people you are meeting Research the industry they are in and read relevant recent news items If the company has locations you can visit – visit them. If you are interviewing for a role with a company with products in supermarkets – check their products out Think about the job. What are the important skills the interviewer will ask you about? Practise, practise, practise your pitch.
• • • • • • •
During the interview: Give your pitch, highlighting any school, sporting or leadership achievements. Make it punchy
•
pany, for example, “I see on your LinkedIn profile you have been with the company for 10 years” Ask intelligent questions that show you have done some research and you are interested in what the business does: “You guys were busier than the other nearby restaurants on the day I visited; why do you think that is?” Behavioural questions: Bobbi also suggests being prepared to answer behavioural questions. “These often start with, ‘Tell me about a time when…’ or, ‘Give me an example of…’ They are used to elicit examples from your past experience demonstrating the skills/competencies required in the role you are interviewing for.” Before the interview, Bobbi suggests you think about what skills are important for the role, and think of examples of when you have displayed these skills. She suggests answering behavioural questions in three parts: 1) Situation – give an overview of the situation; 2) Action – what you did about it; 3) Result – what was the result? Bobbi says the most important part of your answer is the action you took, and how you did it. The situation and the result are important, but the “how” is where the gold is. And if the interviewer does not ask you behavioural questions, Bobbi recommends you use the preparation you have done to demonstrate the skills you have that are relevant for the job by weaving the examples into your answers. “Employers are looking for people with initiative. Examples of you standing out in a parttime job – even cutting the time down and making your paper run more economical – are all worthwhile,” she explains. “The difference between good and great is in the people who look for ways to improve work methods. Those are the people employers want.”
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One up on Wall Street
Making it as a FUND MANAGER by ROBERT TIGHE
BUSINE NESSSS
4 WILLIAM CURTAYNE:
“It’s all about controlling risk by investing in a wide range of well managed, growth companies.” As a teenager, William Curtayne dreamed of following in Hamish Carter’s footsteps and winning Olympic gold in the triathlon. He lived for the sport and much of his time at Auckland’s St Kentigern College was spent representing the school in running, swimming and cycling. One of the highlights of William’s sporting career was finishing eighth at the Junior World Championships in Switzerland in 2006. “I’ve always been competitive,” says William. “I’ve got a twin brother so we’ve always pushed each other.” When William left school he knew he wanted to study business, but he had no idea what area to specialise in. He kept his options open and undertook a Bachelor of Commerce at Auckland University, majoring in finance and economics. A sporting injury in 2008 made him think seriously about his career for the first time. “I injured my knee and took the year off triathlon. I worked hard at university that year and read a lot about investing. I read about Warren Buffett and a book by Peter Lynch called One Up on Wall Street got me really interested in funds management.” In his early 20s, William made the difficult decision
to walk away from triathlon and focus on a career in fund management. “I could have carried on in the sport for another 10 years and maybe have a chance of going to the Olympics, but I realised I probably wouldn’t have a chance of winning a medal,” he says. “I decided to quit the sport and went looking for a job instead.” It’s a decision that has paid dividends in a big way. In 2010, William was recruited on a graduate programme by Milford Asset Management, a boutique investment firm based in Auckland. Four years later, he is Portfolio Manager for the Milford Dynamic Fund working out of an office in downtown Sydney. The 27-year-old manages clients’ money by investing in listed securities in Australian and New Zealand companies. His role demands a good head for figures (luckily, mathematics was one of his strongest subjects at school) but he also gets to play private detective. “You can take the lazy option and decide what stocks to buy based on other people’s research,” says William. “I like to get out there and talk to the CEOs of the companies we want to invest in. I’ll also talk to their competitors and other people in the industry. That’s where you can discover important insights that influence your
decision making, plus you get to talk to some very interesting people who manage multimillion dollar businesses.” William is responsible for investing NZ$270 million worth of funds, although he stresses that he runs all his decisions past an investment committee of senior partners at Milford. A typical working day involves catching up on the overnight financial news and different companies and industries. Quite often that means a visit to the company in person. He’s been to bowling alleys in Texas, power stations in New Zealand and forestry plantations, mining operations and massive manufacturing plants across Australasia. What about the risks of another global financial crisis? Does that keep him awake at night? “It’s all about controlling risk by investing in good companies and diversifying a little. If you’re waking up worried about another global financial crisis, then you probably should be looking for another career.” William’s advice for others looking to break into fund management is simple. “Self learning is vital. What you learn in university is never enough. You should read not just books on investing, but anything that interests you. That’s really important.”
17
Juvena Worsfold – flexibility in fashion 18
New Zealand Institute of Fashion grad WORKING independently
ION FASHION
by ROBYN YOUSEF
For Juvena Worsfold, the technical and practical skills gained by completing all three courses on offer at Auckland’s New Zealand Institute of Fashion (NZFT) have given her flexibility and variety in her working life. At 22, she is working in several areas of the fashion industry – including work as a freelance stylist, a fashion writer and a contractor for two local apparel companies. She attended the institute for two years, carrying out all three courses – Garment Technology, Pattern Making and Design. Juvena qualified as a machinist (ATITO qualification as part of Garment Technology), and gained a Certificate in GarmentTechnology and Patternmaking, and a Diploma in Design. Born in Singapore, Juvena attended Westlake Girls’ High School in Auckland. She has always loved fashion and has fond memories of flicking
through stacks of international magazines like Vogue and Tatler when she was only seven. “My parents owned a business in the fashion district of Orchard Road, Singapore and my mum would buy me stacks of these magazines.” Her work in the fashion arena actually started during her first year at NZFT when Juvena interned at Auckland-based fashion label, Lonely Hearts. “I loved it so much I carried on up towards the end of graduating. Through them I met a stylist that needed an assistant and she was my first employer.” At the age of 17, she made her mark on the industry by winning the Kleenex Cottonelle Couture Collection. She presented a chic little-whitedress – inspired by Elton John’s Your Song.
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Juvena is now a self-employed contractor, working as a support contractor for companies that need extra hands on a variety of tasks. “There is a flexibility in my hours weekly which allows me to balance freelance styling projects for magazines and commercial avenues.” Her working week is packed with variety. “I work with a merchandise company and as a support contractor I help anyone on the team of merchandisers with administation, specification work, quality control, processing of stock deliveries etc. Another employer is a local label and I help the designer with her production, visiting our makers, cutters, graders and fabric suppliers as well as workroom tasks.” Her freelance styling work varies depending on clients’ requirements, but she regularly contributes to M2 Woman magazine. “That involves looking after two sections of the magazine – researching trends, sourcing items to feature and writing. I also contribute to Undone Journal and B Mag.” Juvena credits her studies for giving her the practical skills and the right attitude for starting out in the local fashion industry with such success and flair. “The focus on areas like production and sampling help you to be prepared for entry-level roles because realistically this is where the majority of jobs for graduates will be – not as the designer.” And, she definitely recommends that other young creatives wanting to carve out a career in fashion launch their careers with studies at NZFT. “I think if you are creative but want practical skills to back it up, it will put you in a good shape to starting somewhere in the industry.” Juvena also believes that while it is is good to know what you would like to do in the industry before studying, “I’ve found it beneficial to keep an open mind, as there are so many possibilities and your circumstances may change. I can’t recommend interning enough – there is so much to learn in a real workplace setting.” To find out more about studying fashion, visit www.nzfashiontech.ac.nz/schools
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Preparing an attention-grabbing CV YOUR CV IS THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL YOU have WHEN JOB HUNTING
20
AL ARETS VISGUU ID
CV GU
It takes more than a firm handshake and polished appearance to create a great first impression. A well-crafted CV works as your calling card with prospective employers. Your CV needs to be prepared with great care, be tailored to the job advertised and pack such a punch that the selection person or panel will be compelled to read about your skills, select you for an interview, and then ultimately choose you for the job. This is no small feat! In this digital age, your social media profiles are significant and will be searched for by prospec-
by ROBYN YOUSEF tive employers; so, before you send your CV off, remember to check your online presence. A good rule of thumb is to ensure you don’t have anything online that would offend your grandparents, or that you wouldn’t want to appear in the national press. Attention grabber Many job advertisements now attract hundreds of applications. Your CV has to stand out from the crowd, and make a major impact. It’s highly likely your CV will have only 15–20 seconds to grab an employer’s attention. If it makes a strong first impression, they will read your CV more closely. Avoid long sentences – bullet points
and key phrases keep the word count down and your CV looking tidy. Highlight your relevant attributes and skills for the position at the beginning. Vital key words Make sure you use key words from the job’s description in your CV. This is very important because it demonstrates that you are on the same wavelength or ‘speaking the same language’ as your potential employer. It’s also vital in this age of ‘keyword-scanning software’ to make use of these key words to make your document stand out. You should
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review and edit the key words in your CV for each opportunity – make absolutely sure (without obvious overkill) that you are incorporating those key words skilfully. Ask a savvy friend for their professional opinion. Remember your CV has to stand out, but it also has to be crisp and professional. You have to highlight your personality and give yourself every possible advantage in the job market. Don’t forget it has to encapsulate what you can do for the employer and those key words could just be the key to your success. Concise covering letter Employers will be turned off by long, rambling covering letters. They should be kept simple, concise and clear. Ensure that you highlight skills related to the job position you are pursuing. For example, if you love working with children and have had holiday work as a babysitter, this should be outlined in an application for a nanny’s position. Make sure that your spelling, grammar and style is immaculate. Don’t just rely on your computer’s spelling and grammar check; it is best to have an experienced friend or mentor check the letter through.
If you are applying by email, don’t overlook your covering letter. Send the email from your professional, not personal, email address; that is, an email address that includes your name. If needed, create one. Also, remember to always include your phone number in your application. When emailing a CV, make sure it is in a very simple file format, such as a Word document. If in doubt, email your CV and cover letter as a PDF. Language, please! Forget slang and texting lingo, use straightforward, professional language in your cover letter and CV. Avoid clichés, jargon and abbreviations that might be unfamiliar to an employer. Short and sharp is good; one page for a cover letter and about two pages for a CV work well. Formatting your CV This can be time-based (chronological), based on functional skills, or a combination of both. Select the format that best focuses on your abilities and suitability for the job advertised. For example, if you have just finished secondary school or a university degree, a functional skills format works well – highlighting voluntary, community and/or part-time work you have completed during studies. Use bullet points and meaningful headings, but avoid images, tables or fancy formatting. Check, check and check it again.
essential
details for your CV . Your name, full address,
phone number, email address and Linkedln profile . Personal statement . Skills and abilities . Work history . Qualifications . Interests . Referees For extra information check out Careers New Zealand Tips and templates: www.careers.govt.nz/cv Career planning: www.careers.govt.nz/checker Talk to career experts for free: www.careers.govt.nz/chat
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4 SAM WAGHORN:
“The degree gives you the ability to see the world and gain knowledge and experience at the same time.”
22
ARTS E UAUL LT VVAITINSDIC DESIGUNR
by ROBYN YOUSEF Sam Waghorn plans on travelling the world to research the many different styles of wines and methods of winemaking, while experiencing the differences between New World and Old World vintages. Last year, Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University. Now, he is working as the South Island Sales Manager for an Auckland-based wine company, and has many exciting plans for the future. The 22-year-old’s ultimate aim is to own his vineyard with bottle store/café and deli, but international travel is also very much on the agenda. “A goal of mine is to travel and work with my qualifications. Experiencing vintages in France and California is something I have wanted to do since starting at Lincoln. “The degree gives you the ability to see the world and gain knowledge and experience at the same time. I believe that seeing the world and looking into the many different styles of wines and methods of winemaking is vitally important for any Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology graduate.” out more about winemaking courses O Towithfindviticulture and oenology options at
Lincoln University, visit www.lincoln.ac.nz
Growing up, Sam lived in some beautiful places in the South Island, including Te Anau, Ashburton, Waipara; his parents are now based in Amberley. He attended Ashburton Borough and Amberley Primary School before heading off to Christchurch Boys’ High School – the fourth generation in his family to have done so. Currently, he is based out of Christchurch and acts as housemaster at Adams House, the boarding establishment for Christchurch Boys’, in addition to his sales manager position. Sam initially studied toward a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, but changed paths in 2011. “The degree took me three years. In May, I graduated with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, minoring in Marketing. I was lucky enough to gain a Lincoln University Future Leaders Scholarship; this was a hugely enriching programme, which allowed me to develop skills outside the classroom.” His interest in viticulture and winemaking first emerged when Sam’s family moved to North Canterbury. “My parents have always encouraged my two brothers and I to be financially selfsufficient. Every school holidays I was out in the vineyard or winery. Pruning, planting, trellis maintenance, spraying and cleaning in the winery.”
All these jobs gave Sam real insight to the wine industry and he liked what he saw. He also has relatives in the industry – Simon and Jane Waghorn, founders and directors of Astrolabe Wines, based out of Blenheim. “We had a great range of international and local students in our class with around 25 graduating from the Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology course at Lincoln this May. The small number of graduates each year means the likelihood of finding employment is higher than for some other jobs. The course of study is very specialised and the ability to have a particular focus is enhanced by Lincoln offering the perfect platform to work from,” Sam says. Sam works as the South Island Sales Manager for PJC Wines, a contract wine sales company based out of Auckland, selling well-known wines including Astrolabe Wines, Chard Farm Wines and Michelle Richardson Wines. This is his first step into the marketing and sales side of the wine industry and he is thoroughly enjoying it. “If you are passionate about wine, viticulture or sales and marketing, the Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology is the perfect course for you. Lincoln provided me with the knowledge and experience to learn and thrive on the national and international wine stage.”
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THOSE TWO WORDS – STUDENTS AND MONEY
Tools for tackling student finance by DIANA CLEMENT
AReTS Lc ISUaAn FfVin
Students and money are two words that you don’t often hear together. That’s unless you’re really smart. At uni the temptation to spend is going to be all around you. There are cafés on campus, nights out with your mates, clothes, new technology, textbooks, and then just the day to day expenses of living and travelling.
It might feel like you’ve won Lotto when you first get your student loan. But that money will run out mighty quickly. What’s more, money you borrow must be paid back eventually and the bigger your loan the greater the pain. Do yourself a favour and learn more about money before you Pass Go and get into really bad debt. We’re in the 21st century and like everything in life there are tools – new and old, to ensure you survive your student years with the least financial pain possible. Here is our pick of those tools:
Spending trackers: One of the simplest ways to be in control of your money is to know what you spend. We’re all guilty of grabbing a Coca-Cola or coffee without thinking about the cost. Tracking your spending down to the last 10c for a week (or a month if you can) is a real eye opener. Use apps such as Spending Tracker for Apple or Simple Spending Tracker for Android to analyse the results.
Budgets: The big bad budget is a great tool. Think of it as a spending plan. Students who budget typically have at least 10% more disposable income than those who don’t. That’s because they don’t fritter money away. Budgeting is easy. Just look at your income, break it down into areas such as rent, power, food, and entertainment, and assign a certain amount of money to each. Great budgeting tools for your smartphone include PocketMoney, AndroMoney, Easy-Money, and Toshl.
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If you use a PC you might want to use Heaps.co.nz. It’s provided by Kiwibank, but can be used by customers of any bank. Frugality: Becoming a tightwad is a great tool for keeping your finances under control. Some people even turn the art of saving money into a contact sport. They look for increasingly sneaky ways to live on the smell of an oily rag. That might mean nipping to the toilet when it’s your turn to buy the rounds – but we don’t recommend that! Financially savvy students will do things such as finding free fruit from public trees in their neighbourhood, or only ever using Wi-Fi rather than mobile data. Check out websites such as The Dollar Stretcher at Stretcher.com for thousands of tips. Electronic shopping lists: This may not sound like a personal finance tool, but supermarkets spend millions of dollars looking for ways to part you from your money. They do things like pump baking smells down the aisles to make you feel hungry and put chocolate at the checkout. That makes supermarkets very dangerous places for your personal finances. You can play supermarkets at their own game by sticking to a
shopping list. Check out the Out of Milk and Our Groceries apps. Countdown also has its own app. Some of these apps can actually remember the order in which you find goods on your shopping trips. That makes it easier to get everything as you pass down an aisle and not make return trips where you might be tempted to buy something you don’t need. You can also record the usual price you pay for an item. So if you see it cheaper at The Warehouse or even a local market you can stock up. Work: Universities believe it is good for students to work part time. The more work you do the more money you have. It’s not going to kill you to work 10-15 hours a week. No student studies for 24 hours of the day. Even working at McDonalds will give you both money, and something to put on your CV. Employers value the time management and customer service skills gleaned from part time work. If you can’t find a paid job, offer services such as babysitting or window washing in your neighbourhood. Look for scholarships: You don’t need to be a genius to get scholar-
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ships. There are all sorts available – sometimes simply because you come from a certain town or suburb, or you are just in financial need. Ask at student services or search the BreakOut database for free at most universities and polytechnics, public libraries, or the Citizens Advice Bureaux. Use cash: It’s psychologically easier to spend money with a plastic card. Handing over real cash is more difficult. If you do get a credit card, leave it at home and only use it for true emergencies – which shouldn’t happen every week. Plan your days and weeks: Look at your budget. Can you afford to eat lunch out? If it’s once a week, then plan which days you’ll bring your lunch on. Plan to have nights at home with your mates. You can have lots of fun at home with friends and the drinks are cheaper. Hang out, play Xbox or Playstation, and watch a movie together. You’ll save bucketloads of cash compared to going to the pub. Additional helpful financial tools Ocan be found on www.sorted.org.nz
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Ever wondered how chocolate is made? 26
ALOADRTS VISUFO H D C N TAE NDOESLIOGGNY
by ROBYN YOUSEF
It’s very easy to understand why 23-year-old Marianne Poh, who graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Food Technology (Hons) in 2012, is enjoying her working life in Melbourne, Australia. She’s part of the graduate programme at Mondelēz International, one of the world’s largest snack-making organisations and owner of brands like Cadbury, Oreo, Kraft Peanut Butter, Vegemite, The Natural Confectionery Co., Pascall and many more.
4 M ARIANNE POH:
Work experience is invaluable.
Marianne was hired last year as the Research, Development and Quality (RDQ) Graduate of 2013. The graduate programme involves sixmonth rotations in three different roles within the company, as well as undergoing other development training and projects. Marianne’s work experience so far would have the snackoholics (and particularly, chocoholics) amongst us spinning with envy. She has completed about three weeks of field sales, six months as a Scientist in the chocolate team and seven months as an Innovation Project Officer in the RDQ Food Innovation Centre team. She is now Assistant Brand Manager for Favourites and Gifting in her current rotation. “My first team were essentially Product Developers for the Cadbury part of our business. For more information on the OBachelor of Food Technology degree
at Massey visit www.massey.ac.nz
I worked generally on different projects to deliver new products (e.g. new flavours to existing lines like Mint Flake, or completely new products like Cadbury Marvellous Creations), or to improve current products – one of the projects I executed was changing Cadbury Dairy Milk Snack and Cadbury Dairy Milk Turkish Delight to contain only nonartificial colours.” Marianne’s second role as Innovation Project Officer involved a lot of early development work for the company across several candy brands – including The Natural Confectionery Co., Pascall and Sour Patch Kids. “This included organising consumer research groups to test prototypes and certain behaviours, moderating research sessions, building these research findings with other research, such as articles and databases, then translating all this data in to real insights to
build platforms on what should/should not be launched and deciding what the next steps are.” She was fortunate to secure her current role within marketing (this is unusual for a research and development graduate) as Marianne really wanted to get an insight of how “the other side” worked. She is currently the Assistant Brand Manager for Favourites and Gifting. “I have responsibility for brands such as Favourites, Mini Blocks, and Toblerone and work closely with cross-functional teams to create products and build brands.” Marianne grew up in Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore. She went to Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar School. In 2009, she started her four-year Bachelor of Food Technology (Hons) degree at Massey University’s Albany Campus. She was always intrigued by the idea of combining food and science. “This was because science (specifically chemistry) was a subject that I enjoyed and excelled in at school and food has been a passion for as long as I can remember.” The reality of a career in the food technology industry has exceeded her expectations. She would recommend this degree to school leavers interested in this area. “It is acknowledged by my Australian employers that Massey’s degree provides an extremely high standard of technical teachings – particularly in packaging. The work experience part is also invaluable.” And, with her company’s global chocolate team based in Bourneville, UK, and their headquarters in Chicago, USA, it seems Marianne has a bright future which will feature lots of international travel and, definitely, chocolate.
by SARA CARBERY
4 BEN SMITH:
PLUMBING
Recommends work experience before making that career choice.
Ben Smith is a good example of ‘it’s okay to change your mind’. After a year studying computer science – “I did not enjoy it at all” – Ben enrolled in a Masterlink plumbing and gas-fitting apprenticeship and began work with Mr Plumber in Auckland. As one of his best mates had left school at the end of Year 12 to begin his apprenticeship, Ben went into it with his eyes open. “It was an interesting choice for me if I look back at it because I was never too interested in fixing or building things when I was a teenager.” After a year studying, though, he definitely knew he didn’t want a desk job. “Although on days when the weather is terrible, being in an office doesn't seem like such a bad thing!” As well as “not being confined to an office staring at a computer screen all day”, what Ben enjoys most about his chosen profession is
“working with my hands and creating something that you can stand back and be proud of.” Now 24, Ben has completed all his registration exams and has only 150 more hours to complete before graduating as a Registered Plumber and Gasfitter. Working with Mr Plumber, a general maintenance company, his days are varied. “Generally, I'm doing something different every day. The work ranges within plumbing, gas fitting, drainage and roofing.” Ben took English, statistics, biology, media studies and physical education in his final year at St Kentigern College in Auckland, excelling in English and PE. While “plumbing entrance isn't really dictated by what subjects you took or what your marks were,” Ben says reading and writing are essential and a good knowledge of basic maths is recommended. “Problem solving is also an excellent skill to have.”
27
His advice to would-be plumbers is: “Do some work experience with plumbers before committing to a four-year apprenticeship, as there is quite a large initial investment in tools and personal protective equipment to be made. “If you think plumbing is for you, contact Masterlink to enquire about placement with a company so you can begin your journey in the real world.” A Masterlink apprenticeship is a combination of practical and theoretical work which includes 8,000 hours on the job. “It’s around four years if you work 40-hour weeks,” says Ben. He says the future for plumbers in New Zealand looks bright. “The way the economy is currently looking, prospects appear to be very good.” As for his future, Ben would love to own a successful business one day, “maybe even in partnership with my mate”. is the apprentice placement organisation O Masterlink run by the Master Plumbers Association. To find out more, go to www.masterlink.co.nz
Residential colleges – the inside story
REMOVING THE STRESS AND HASSLE by DAVID McDONALD
28
VRIESSUIADLEANRTTIASL COLLEGES
4 ANDREA MEYERS:
Loving life at Cumberland College.
For many school leavers considering tertiary study the big question is whether to stay at home or take the plunge and experience a new city. If you decide to leave town to study, you’ll need to think about where you’re going to live. For many leaving home for the first time, moving into a residential college (or Hall of Residence, as they’re often called) is a great option. Student accommodation removes the hassle; you don’t have to worry about finding a flat and organising flatmates, you have all your meals provided for you and it gives you a chance to meet people and potential flatmates for the following year. Also, it provides a solid stepping stone between home and flatting.
We caught up with first-year Otago University student Andrea Meyers to get the inside scoop on what life in a residential college is really like. Andrea, 19, is studying for a Bachelor of Physical Education, and aims to become a PE teacher. After attending Otumoetai College in Tauranga, Andrea decided she wanted to experience life in another city, and Dunedin seemed the obvious choice. “I felt like Otago Uni had the best physical education degree and I wanted to try and get into the best course. “I am quite independent and I liked the idea of Dunedin – it has always appealed me to me since I was young.”
Andrea is a resident of Cumberland College which is right in the centre of town. It is just a quick walk from both the university campus and the city centre. Living at the college is affordable, says Andrea, and because everything is provided, it’s easy to budget.
to get along with, approachable and are there to support you. At the start they did a lot of activities to help us get to know each other.”
“I paid half of the sum at the start of the year, which was roughly around $6,500, and from there I pay $170 per week and that gives me everything (internet, power, water and three meals a day). We do not have to worry about paying for anything other than personal items.”
“I love it! There is a really awesome student vibe down here that I haven’t really experienced in another city before; it is just really geared towards students. It is definitely a good time, you just stick out through the hard times and it is so worth it.”
Andrea truly loves the living environment and has embraced the challenge of living away from home. “It gives you a reality check on who you are and it certainly helps to give you independence. You have such a good time, meet heaps of awesome people and it is all so worth it.” But, living away from home can be a daunting experience and homesickness isn’t uncommon. Andrea admits it was tough at first but the staff of Cumberland College did a lot to integrate the newcomers and make them feel at home. “I really found that as soon as I got here everyone was so friendly and welcoming and it just felt like a warm, homely environment. The Residential Assistants (RAs) are extremely easy
Andrea says she loves the city of Dunedin and would recommend studying at the University of Otago to anyone.
Andrea intends to go flatting in 2015, having found her feet and met many friends this year, but she is glad she chose the residential college option for her first year.
29
If you are interested in studying in another city, visit the university websites to find out more about student accommodation or consult your school careers advisor. Andrea recommends getting your application in early so you don’t miss out. www.otago.ac.nz for information O Visit about halls of residence, applying to study and important application closing dates.
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4 ALLIE FOOTE:
She loves the “practicality and complexity” of engineering.
30
ENGINEERING
WelTec engineering student eyes up renewable energy by SARA CARBERY The path to engineering has been a family affair for Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) Bachelor of Engineering student Allie Foote. Working on cars with her granddad when she was younger was her introduction to the world of mechanics, but it was her mother, Rosie, who was Allie’s career role model. Rosie is a qualified electrical appliance repairer, and is now a Business Development Manager at Fujitsu. “I get all my work ethic from her; she has always been hard-working and driven,” says Allie. “Mum also helped me with a lot of maths when I was younger, which is why it’s one of my favourite subjects.” Excelling in maths and physics at Samuel Marsden Collegiate College in Whitby, Allie knew she wanted a career that applied these subjects but was unsure which path to take at the end of Year 13. Returning home after a gap year that she took “to travel and think about what I wanted to do,” Allie was discussing career options with her father. “He gave me the idea of engineering based on my interest in physics and maths. I researched it and thought it sounded really interesting.” further information on studying O atForWelTec visit www.weltec.ac.nz
Having made up her mind what to study, the next question was where. Allie considered many courses, but decided on WelTec’s Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree as it combines practical learning with theoretical learning, and it meant she could stay living – more cheaply – at home. Even though her school subjects didn’t tick all the entry requirement boxes, she was granted admission to the degree. “WelTec is very reasonable and will give you a chance. I didn’t have all my maths credits from school because I did statistics and not calculus; however they saw my previous year’s results and let me enrol.” Frank Cook, Allie’s maths teacher, says she worked extremely hard to catch up in calculus, and managed to do well as a result. Allie says she loves the “practicality and complexity” of engineering and being around like-minded people who think logically and enjoy problem-solving. She also appreciates the practical applications of engineering theory – “how the theory can be applied to the real world”. Now 21 and in her second year of engineering, Allie has decided to specialise in mechanical engineering – “the design of machines and the analysis of materials”. “It involves strengths of materials, thermodynamics, design and a lot of maths and report writing.
“There is also a lot of ethics involved because the machines that the engineers build must be safe for people to use.” This year’s recipient of the Beca scholarship to study engineering at WelTec, Allie has come to “really value the contributions from the engineers in our society”and likes the fact that engineers are in demand in New Zealand and all over the world. “It would be ideal to travel as an engineer.” Another passion of Allie’s is the environment and in 10 years’ time she would like to be developing renewable energy plants overseas. Her advice to high school students is to study hard. “Find a way of learning that works for you and apply that to wherever you study. Learn how to take good notes and use highlighters. Also learn how to use a diary, for handing in assignments and tests.” She also advises finding out about what career options are available. “While I was at school the only careers I really knew were the really obvious ones. I would keep my options open and choose subjects wisely.” Allie also recommends taking time to decide what you want to do and taking a gap year if you need it. “Don’t rush into studying if you’re going to regret it. Studying isn’t cheap and you wouldn’t want to waste your time or money doing something that doesn’t matter to you.”
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Shooting for the Stars
32
TAKING GREAT IDEAS TO THE CONSUMER
VISUAL ARTSRS INNO INANNDODVEASTO IGN
by SARA CARBERY
4 BENJAMIN O’BRIEN:
“It’s not a matter of sitting down and listing the options – you need to try stuff.”
You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not rocket science”. Well, in Benjamin O’Brien’s case it actually was! It was a book on rocket science that propelled him down the path to engineering, a field he has since excelled in. Reading the book when he was 15, Benjamin made the connection between science and engineering, two subjects he loved. “I realised that scientists discover the laws of nature and engineers do something with that knowledge. “Engineers take what is known and make some really cool things with it.” Now 29, and with an impressive string of prizes to his name, and the title Doctor in front of it, Benjamin is co-founder, CEO and director of StretchSense, a company that makes stretchable sensors, which measure human body motion. In operation for less than two years, StretchSense is already a commercial success. It employs 10 people, and their sensors are used all around the world by people working in healthcare, rehabilitation, sports training, animation and gaming.
4 BENJAMIN O’BRIEN:
It all started with a book on rocket science.
“The biggest buzz I get is seeing people use our sensors to do something I’d never thought they could do.” Running a start-up business combines two of Benjamin’s passions: carrying out scientific research, and using it to make a difference in the world. “A lot of academics invent great things but relatively few actually quit their job and have a go at commercialising them. “I want to create high-tech jobs that deliver back to the economy.” Before co-founding StretchSense, Benjamin worked as an award-winning academic. He received his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Auckland, winning the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis. He subsequently received a two-year Rutherford Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship to work in the Biomimetics Laboratory of the University’s Bioengineering Institute, which is where StretchSense was launched. Last year, Benjamin added the 2013 Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize to his accolades, and StretchSense took out two top prizes at the New Zealand Innovator Awards. Even with these honours, he says, “I’ve had to get used to perpetual failure. What people don’t realise is I’ve applied for three- to four-times as many prizes as I’ve won!” His advice to would-be entrepreneurs is that “you have to work hard and take the hits. It’s not pre-ordained, everybody makes their own luck. You’ll succeed at some things and fail at others; the important thing is to keep trying.
“Life is uncertain. That’s the fun thing!” Benjamin still has a toe in academia and continues to work at the Biomimetics Laboratory as Honorary Research Fellow, something he believes is vitally important. “We need to take the knowledge we have and genuinely get it out into the real world.” Passion is a word that crops up a lot in conversation with Benjamin, but how do you find yours? “Your passion isn’t something you decide, it’s something you explore,” he advises. “You can’t know what you’re passionate about until you give it a go. “It’s not a matter of sitting down and listing the options – you need to try stuff. Don’t try to preplan too much, just get out there and do it. “The only wrong decision is no decision.” Benjamin has always aimed for the stars – at one stage he wanted to be an astronaut. These days he talks about starting an asteroidmining company. “To me, this is a metaphor for the fact we want to do something crazy, on a huge scale, with massive impact. We want to be a big deal, to really become something special, to be a massive company globally.” And, who knows, one day he might just mine asteroids. After all, his journey began with a book on rocket science. find out more, check out O Towww.stretchsense.com and www.biomimeticslab.com
O For advice on turning ideas into reality,
Mobile app STQRY a global success
Entrepreneur inspired to winning idea BY a trip to the zoo INNO INNOVATORS
by SARA CARBERY
Did you know that a pelican can scoop up to 13 litres of water using its beak like a built-in fishing net? A small fact, yes, but one that led to big things for a young Wellington entrepreneur. Reading about pelicans at Wellington Zoo – and wanting to know more – sparked an idea that would balloon into a phenomenal success story for Ezel Kokcu and her friend-turned-business partner, Chris Smith. Within six weeks of late-night brainstorming with tech-savvy friends, Ezel (then 19) and Chris secured a four-year contract with Wellington Zoo for STQRY (pronounced story), a mobile app that helps organisations engage with their visitors by telling their stories. A great example of the right people having the right idea at the right time, STQRY has been a hit with museums, galleries and zoos, both locally and overseas. Two years down the track, STQRY has never been turned down by an organisation it has pitched to. Ezel and Chris have over 250 clients, including Auckland Museum, Wellington Zoo, the Seattle Art Museum and the Walt Disney Museum in San Francisco, and oversee a staff of 19. Not bad for someone who had no idea what she wanted to do when she left school. “All I knew was I wanted to be big, a game changer,” remembers Ezel, now 21. “That has been my goal ever since I was 15, but I didn’t know how to get there.” Reflecting that lack of direction, Ezel’s subjects were “all over the place” at school – chemistry, sewing and graphics sat alongside English, classical studies and maths. Although she and her parents (who both have university degrees) expected she’d go to university at some stage, Ezel opted for a gap year at the end of Year 13. The day after her final exam at Nelson College for Girls, she headed to Wellington where she worked in retail for several months before spending three months teaching English to children in Turkey. “That was an amazing experience,” she says. “It allowed me to grow so much.” Arriving back in Wellington, and still unsure of which path to take, Ezel enrolled in Computer Science at Victoria University, co-founding STQRY while she was there. For a few months, she juggled books and business until deciding to dedicate herself 100 per cent to STQRY, a decision she’s never regretted. “I want to be a serial entrepreneur – it’s so much fun! I wake up every morning at 5 am and am up and ready to go.”
check out callaghaninnovation.govt.nz
Ezel has lots of great advice for budding entrepreneurs. “Do a five-year plan and really think about what you want. If you want to be up on billboards and on the covers of magazines, think of an idea that will get you there. Think as big and as grand as you want. “If you’re wanting to start a business and grow something, just start! Have confidence in your idea, understand your surroundings and do your research. It never hurts to send an email to someone and meet them for a coffee. “Don’t think it’s easy though. You might need an amazing business partner, the right support systems and the right team around you to get an idea off the ground. But, if you’re doing something you’re passionate about, all the hardships, all the speed bumps and roadblocks won’t matter.” And, even if your idea doesn’t succeed, Ezel believes you have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. “If STQRY disappeared tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve learnt so much, and gained so much knowledge and experience. “The hardest thing to do is start.” To find out more about Ezel and her STQRY, go to www.stqry.com
O
EZEL KOKCU… have confidence in your idea
EZEL KOKCU: “Have confidence in your idea
”.
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Career in law offers endless opportunities
REWARDING AND STIMULATING UOAULBGALRO TCADETEESGIEGOTNRRSYY LEGAL CAREERS LLCIVANAIANSEDW DTE
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by ROBYN YOUSEF Henry Benson-Pope decided to study law at the University of Otago as he liked the flexible degree structure on offer and knew it would open up a host of different options for him. And only a few months after graduation, the 23-year-old is already working as a judge’s clerk to Chief Justice Sian Elias. He grew up in Dunedin and attended Bayfield High School. Henry loved history at school, felt legal work applied many of the same skills and that arts and law were a good combination. “The University of Otago has a really flexible degree structure which allowed me to do a BA in politics at the same time and also to spend six months overseas on exchange in Germany. I did a double degree over five years and wrote my dissertation for law honours in the final year.” Henry is impressed with the range of options and opportunities available at Otago Law School. “In the first semester of my fourth year I was on exchange studying at the University of Tuebingen in Germany. In terms of options I did lots of different papers from company law and criminal justice to emerging technologies. There was a wide range of options.” At the end of his fourth year, Henry worked as a summer clerk at the corporate law firm, Russell McVeagh. He remembers this as a “great experience”. While he still has no firm ambitions on where his work in the legal field will eventually take him, he is interested in a number of areas. And Henry is currently enjoying his two-year posting as one of the two Clerks to the Chief Justice. “There are some amazing people at work – both judges and judges’ clerks. It is a really interesting and unique chance to see how our court system works and to assist some really experienced, highly intelligent judges.” Henry sees it as a unique opportunity at a young age to be involved in the inside workings of the courts. “I am really fortunate as I get to watch hearings, which are fascinating as you see some of the best lawyers in the country matching wits with the judges.” His legal skills even spill over to his leisure time. After winning the New Zealand Universities’ Prize for Legal Negotiation with another young lawyer, Tom Jemson, the pair recently travelled to South Korea for the World University Legal Negotiation Championships. Studying law has definitely opened up a wide range of interesting opportunities for Henry and many of his friends. “I know people working in consulting, corporate law or finance firms and criminal defence and prosecutions. In addition, there are lots of people working throughout the public sector in both legal and non-legal positions. “Also, it is a very collegial profession; you make lots of friends and meet some really interesting people. I think Otago Law School does an amazing job in fostering this.” Henry believes that because many legal issues are complicated and require a detailed understanding of the facts involved, law students need to be able to quickly understand areas and topics they may never have considered before. “This can be challenging at times, but a career in law is also extremely interesting To find out more about law opportunities at the and rewarding.” University of Otago, go to www.otago.ac.nz/law
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4 H ENRY BENSON-POPE:
Already working for the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court.
Nursing – an inspiring vocation
Career as nurse totally worthwhile by ROBYN YOUSEF
Sanchia Watts is so happy as a nurse, she really wants to inspire school leavers to consider this career option. “I just love this work and find it very rewarding,” the 26-year-old says. She graduated from Whitireia Community Polytechnic in Porirua, Wellington, last June and is now working at Auckland Hospital. Already she has plans to do voluntary work abroad and has her sights set on Africa – possibly, war-torn Sudan. “That’s one of the big advantages about nursing – you can work all over the world,” she explains. Sanchia grew up in Dunedin, attending Sawyers Bay Primary, Dunedin North Intermediate and Otago Girls’ High School. During her school years, she enjoyed a real cross-section of subjects including the sciences (particularly biology and chemistry) and also the arts. She started a university course in social psychology, but decided a year in she wanted to do something more “hands on”. Nursing seemed the perfect option, as was Whitireia Polytechnic for her three-year course. Her mother had just passed away and she needed the support given
to her by her Wellington family and also by being in a “small tertiary atmosphere.” “I graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Māori degree, choosing this because I am part-Māori. I also want to work with indigenous people overseas and thought I should familiarise myself with my own culture first,” Sanchia explains. Currently working on a respiratory ward, Sanchia gets great satisfaction out of helping her patients, and especially, seeing them progress and recover. “It is exhausting work, but just so worthwhile”. She also enjoys the team work and camaraderie with other staff members on her ward – they always find time for laughter, as well. Sanchia wholeheartedly recommends nursing as a wonderful career option for school leavers. She advises secondary school students planning a nursing career to concentrate on their science subjects – particularly biology and chemistry – in preparation for nursing studies. further information on studying O For nursing at Whitireia Polytechnic, visit www.whitireia.ac.nz
NURSING
4 S ANCHIA WATTS:
Gets great satisfaction out of helping her patients, and especially, seeing them progress and recover.
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PARAMEDICINE
A career spent saving lives and making a difference 36
by SARA CARBERY
ARTICSINE VIRSUAAMLED INE PA
PA
A volunteer lifeguard from the age of 14, Kurt Golding has always had “a natural inkling” to help others. “I knew early on I wanted to be there to help people when they needed it.” He turned this notion into a career when he was in his mid-twenties. Always interested in science, Kurt completed a Bachelor of Science when he left school, before embarking on a 30-month OE. After returning to New Zealand, and while working as a sales rep for a fertiliser company, Kurt started volunteering with St John in Tauranga. “That’s when I realised paramedicine was what I really wanted to do.” With this in mind, Kurt applied for a Bachelor of Health Science in Paramedicine at AUT University. His classmates were a mix of students fresh out of school and those already working in the emergency medical services. Kurt completed the three-year degree in 18-months; this was made possible by cross-crediting his previous
4 K URT GOLDING:
At work – “No day is ever the same.”
For more information about studying at O AUT University go to www.aut.ac.nz
science degree and the qualifications he’d already acquired from St John. Students with ambulance, nursing or military medicine qualifications are eligible for credits of prior learning and part-time study. Learning from skilled paramedics, he continued to gain experience during the course placements which he could do at home in Tauranga. Before Kurt had even finished his degree, he had secured a full-time position with St John in Tauranga. “They obviously thought my volunteer work was alright and decided to keep me on! When you’re volunteering, it’s like a job interview the whole time you’re there,” he says. Working a four days-on, four days-off roster, Kurt, now 28, is part of a team charged with dealing with 111 calls that come through to the Auckland call centre. He says he never knows what to expect when he clocks in for a 12-hour shift. “No day is ever the same. “It’s not always the ‘lights and sirens’; we’re not constantly saving lives,” Kurt advises. “That’s only a small proportion of our work. A big part
of our job is just being there to help people, whether their emergency is life-threatening or not. “You have to go into paramedicine with an ‘I want to help people’ attitude. You need to be a caring, professional person with a lot of empathy. Sure, there is some excitement and pressure, requiring you to think quickly on your feet, but that’s just a small part of it.” What Kurt loves most about his job is the varied work, the different challenges faced every day, and caring for those who need it. “In my previous job I felt as though I wasn’t making a difference. I go home after work now knowing that I have helped someone, positively impacting their lives in some sort of way.” Kurt says AUT’s paramedicine degree is a great qualification to travel with as it is well-regarded overseas. “You don’t have to limit yourself to ambulance work in New Zealand; the degree allows you to work for a variety of emergency medical service providers throughout the world, including work on oil rigs and mines.” Kurt is working towards becoming an Intensive Care Paramedic and would like to do more postgraduate study with AUT in the future. “I’m particularly interested in doing pre-hospital scientific-based research relevant to the ambulance services within New Zealand.” His advice to anyone interested in paramedicine is to go along to your local ambulance station and do a few observer shifts with them. “After two to four shifts you’ll probably know if it’s something you want to do.” As far as subjects and skills go, taking science subjects at school is helpful, particularly biology and chemistry, and an aptitude for English and clear communication skills is also a plus, says Kurt, as is some experience in first aid. “Paramedicine really suits people who want to help others. I’ve always had a natural inkling to help people but that realisation – and wanting to make a career of it – didn’t come until I had matured a little!”
by NICOLA MUTCH When food enthusiast Callum McCosh left secondary school in Auckland, he “was ready for an adventure” – and all roads pointed to Dunedin.
CULINARY ARTS
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Callum chose Food Truck chef Michael van de Elzen, and created a healthy, delicious take on fish and chips, involving smoked salmon on top of a home-made chip with citrus mayonnaise. “Most cookery qualifications focus on the tech- His next task was to produce a dish involving only niques you need to work in a commercial kitchen,” food he had foraged himself. This took him to the beaches north of Dunedin, where he collected explains Callum. cockles, steamed them in a kelp bag, and served “But what appealed to me about the BCA was the them tossed through with onion weed, wood sorrel, much broader approach – we’re learning about areas gorse flowers and horopito for a peppery bite – from business skills to food photography.” “it was delicious!” It’s also believed to be the only culinary degree This creativity does not come at the expense of to use ‘design thinking’ at its core. That means the excellent technical skills – “we just learn them in a emphasis is on creativity, problem-solving and more interesting way”. pushing the limits. Already, Callum is working part-time as a chef in Callum’s first assignment, for example, was to re- a busy city restaurant, gaining valuable experience search a chef and create a meal inspired by their in a fast-paced industry while he studies. philosophy of cooking. The best thing about it, says Callum, “is I feel like I’m not limited to a single path. I’m being exposed to a range of perspectives and I’m constantly being sur Sound like you? Find out more at www.op.ac.nz/bca prised and challenged. I’m loving it!” Not only was it the chance to meet new people and discover more of the country, it was also home to one of the most unique cuisine programmes in the world – Otago Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Culinary Arts.
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4 CALLUM McCOSH:
Learning things in a more interesting way.
4 BRANDON DUNN:
Already well on the way to living his dream.
PHOTO by Chris Macdonald
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DIGITAL MEDIA
DIGITAL MEDIA STUDENT SCOOPS MAJOR AWARD
by ROBYN YOUSEF Brandon Dunn is well on the way to living his dream career producing art for video games. The 20-year-old, who completed a Bachelor of Digital Media at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), was recently awarded a six-month internship at Gamesloft in Auckland through the prestigious worldwide competition, Next-Gen Gaming Games.
but I loved that feeling of discovering a new medium.”
dedicated to those studying for careers in NextGen Games and VFX/Animation Industries.
He is currently based in Invercargill, but has lived in many places around New Zealand with his parents. He grew up in Whangarei, went from intermediate to high school in Tikipunga, then on to Otaki College, and lastly, Aparima College in Southland.
“I was really surprised to win the award and had to read the title multiple times to actually take it in. Without my tutor’s encouragement I wouldn’t have entered my work. She’s also helped share my work across social media sites to get more exposure.”
He sees the internship (one of only 15 awarded internationally) as an exciting opportunity and a step forward in his goal. “I would love to be able to draw and produce concept art for this particular industry. Ultimately, I’d love to get up every morning, go to work and really enjoy what I’m doing. I love art, and being able to turn this into a living would really be living the dream.”
In 2011, Brandon started the two-year Diploma in Animation course and then decided to study another year and work towards a Bachelor in Digital Media. He is now in his fourth year of study undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Film.
He has enjoyed his study experience at SIT, saying the staff are fantastic to work with, and that many students share the same interests.
Since Brandon started school, he’s been obsessed with computers and during his last year at high school he concentrated on digital art. “I remember the exciting feeling I had when I scanned a drawing I did on paper and started drawing over it on a computer. It looked terrible For more information about the O Southern Institute of Technology’s digital media courses, go to www.sit.ac.nz/
“I feel this was an opportunity to craft and refine my portfolio and also strengthen my skills as a storyteller.” Brandon credits his parents for pushing him down the right study path. “They helped give me direction. I’ve always been a visual person and they knew I loved to draw so they showed me the animation course at SIT. During my first year of study I really found my passion for digital and concept art.” He is grateful to Rachel Mann, Animation Tutor at SIT, who encouraged him to enter the awards. The awards are the largest
Brandon believes students learn a lot from other students in the SIT environment, along with learning to balance their workload and successfully manage their time. His main aim is to work in the entertainment industry, in areas such as video games, films, comics and promotional art, but because of the range of skills learned in his studies he knows he doesn’t have to limit himself to one of these paths. “It would be awesome to do more than one. The wonderful thing about these mediums is that you don’t have to do them as a career; you can always have them as hobbies.”
by ROBYN YOUSEF Laani McFarland has been in the hairdressing industry for “close to 17 fantastic years” and has worked in both New Zealand and France. While she considers herself a very experienced hairstylist, she is still learning and always striving to remain a top-level professional. The 38-year-old completed the one-year training programme for the Diploma of Hairdressing Certificate at the Cut Above Academy in 1997, and now operates the Rodney Wayne salon in Glenfield, Auckland. She is the owner and senior stylist, and works with a team of nine. “The aspect I like most about my job is being able to guide a team of talented stylists and forming close relationships with my staff and clients. I enjoy making people feel good about themselves, sending them out the door looking fabulous and a little more educated in how to look after their hair.” She was raised on Auckland’s North Shore and as a little girl spent hours braiding and styling her Barbie doll’s hair. Laani went to Turakina Māori Girls’ College (in the lower North Island) for the first three years of high school and moved to Northcote College for the remainder.
The Rodney Wayne salon in Glenfield, which she has owned for the past year, won several awards in last year’s Rodney Wayne Salon Awards. The salon took out Floor Manager of the Year, Front Desk Manager of the Year, as well as Highly Commended Technician and a nomination for Colour Technician. The team was also highly commended in the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Awards. Laani loves both cutting and colouring hair. And she rings in subtle changes in her own hairstyle on a regular basis. “I always change with the seasons, within reason. My changes are quite subtle minimalising damage as much as possible.” She sees the major new trend coming through in local hair salons as “big blow-out hair” with more blow dry bars opening and a move towards elegant styling coming through. She believes that Kiwi women are very practical about their hair. “I think New Zealand women are very active women; they will go from their working/corporate environment to the netball court or the gym and their families so they are very practical about their hair. As long as their colour and cut is
perfect when they leave their hair salon – that is what matters most to New Zealand women.” Laani’s advice to young school leavers looking at making hairdressing their profession is, firstly, to go out and get some work experience. “Make sure your hair is washed, and you have makeup on. You don’t have to be dressed to the latest trends but make sure your clothes and shoes are clean and tidy and dress in black if you don’t have much else. Be ready to work hard and I mean HARD! Long hours on your feet and being told what to do can be very off-putting for some of our young school leavers.” Secondly, she advises hairdressing prospects to “be ready and willing to learn on the job”. “It takes a special someone to stick at hairdressing and really give their all to the salon, team and clients. You should walk away at the end of the day feeling proud. I suggest if you decide to take a course, get signed up and go for it. You can learn a lot in short time and get units passed faster (in some cases), gain salon experience and access to a wider network of fellow hairdressers.”
HAIRDRESSING
4 LAANI McFARLAND:
After 17 fantastic years says it takes a special someone to stick at hairdressing.
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David Bhana: Eco-Warrior
PROFESSIONAL PLAYER PURSUES POST-GRAD STUDY AND A spot IN kiwis by DAVID McDONALD
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At 21, David Bhana has already realised his dream of playing rugby leagueprofessionally, and achieving a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland.
SPORTS CAREER
The former head boy of Birkenhead College has a lot of insight into his dual life as an academic and up-and-coming rugby league star to offer. David was first immersed in the Vodafone Warriors environment through the club’s junior development programme in 2008. He moved on to – and captained – the Warriors’ Under-20 National Youth Competition side (Junior Warriors) in 2013. His leadership and work ethic impressed the coaches and, in 2014, he was rewarded with a fulltime contract. “My aspirations in league are obviously to cement a spot in the NRL [National Rugby League] and then hopefully one day play at international level for the Kiwis, but definitely in the next two years I will be focused on securing a place in the NRL side,” he says. However, David feels very strongly about having a back-up career option, just in
4 D AVID BHANA:
Achieving great success on both the academic and sports fields.
case he gets injured or his sporting career doesn’t work out. “It has always been drilled into me by my family and those around me that footy does not last forever, and you don’t always get a second chance. I knew I needed a career or qualification to fall back on to keep my options open after league.” In 2011, while playing for the Vodafone Junior Warriors, David began a Bachelor of Science at the University of Auckland, majoring in Geography. Within his major he specialised in environmental science and says there are a number of options he can now pursue. “I think environmental science is becoming such an expanding field with all the concerns about climate change and it really interests me. “I’m not entirely sure what I want to do at this stage, but I am doing some post-graduate study this year to keep my options open. I could see myself working in resource management or something to do with eco-systems.” Studying fulltime over the past three years and playing for the Junior Warriors has been a massive undertaking; David had to manage
exams, lectures and assignments alongside team trainings, fitness, going to the gym and a large number of matches in Australia each weekend. He says it was a huge challenge, but he knew he just had to get the job done. “I looked at it as something that just had to be done, so you’ve just got to find the time to do it. It didn’t matter if I was spending late nights studying or putting in extra hours at training – it had to be done so I just did it; there was no choice.” David feels he wouldn’t have been able to cope without support from the NRL, the University of Auckland, the Warriors and his family. “The club were very understanding of what I was trying to do with my study and the University was very understanding of my league commitments. They both gave me a bit of leeway whether it be the club letting me miss a training to study or Uni shifting my exams around if I was in Australia playing. “The NRL’s ‘no work, no study equals no play’ initiative, which stops clubs from holding trainings between 8am and 5pm on weekdays to allow players to work or study, has been a huge help to me also with staying on top of everything.” David has some advice to young people aspiring to pursue a professional sports career. “You have to work hard; it’s an old saying, but you don’t get anywhere without it. It is something I live by because I haven’t been the most talented player and so I have had to put in the hard yards and do the basics well. “I also would really encourage students to strongly consider a qualification because sport does not last forever – it is a small fraction of your life and you have to have something to fall back on. Take the opportunity while you can.” David is certainly making the most of all the opportunities that have come his way and clearly has a promising future both on and off the field. on studying Oat Fortheinformation University of Auckland,
visit www.auckland.ac.nz and for up-to-date news on the Vodafone Warriors, check out www.warriors.co.nz
Teen mum’s studies life-changing
iNSPIRING YOUNG PASIFIKA PEOPLE by ROBYN YOUSEF
COMPUTERS
4 D EEDEE RETI: Working to inspire other young Pasifika people. DeeDee Reti didn’t start out as a scholar. She was the “class clown” who left school at 16 and had two babies in her teens. A few years on, she is full of enthusiasm for her computer studies and wants to inspire other young Pasifika people on their pathways to study and career success. DeeDee is of Māori/Cook Island descent and was born in Auckland. All her schooling was in the suburb of Kelston; she now lives in Henderson and is in her second year of studies at New Zealand School of Education (NZSE). While she is bubbly with an easy sense of humour, DeeDee has already known great loss with the passing of her young child. A recommendation from a relative prompted her to visit the New Lynn campus of NZSE, and DeeDee believes this was life-changing.
computers. I’d tried getting jobs but didn’t have enough qualifications. This school has been excellent. I feel very blessed to be around people who are so encouraging and so easy to talk to.” Established 10 years ago, NZSE is one of the largest Independent Tertiary Providers specialising in ICT, Design, Business, ECE and Foundation Studies. NZSE has three campuses in Auckland; New Lynn, Manukau and the CBD. NZSE has been approved for the full field of ICT programmes up to level 7 by NZQA in New Zealand. NZSE courses are designed for individuals seeking industry-relevant, leading edge skills that can help you into the workplace faster or prepare for further studies. For example, students can seamlessly pathway into Bachelor Degrees in ICT with NZ universities after completing the Diploma in Information Technology – Level 6.
“I started a whole new life last1year1/07/14 when I en-5:12DeeDee is now on track for that Bachelor’s PM rolled at the school to expand my knowledge of Degree of Computer and Information Sciences.
MagazineImage_Bleeds.pdf
“I am now doing Level 6 IT studies and my focus is that degree. When I first started at NZSE I wanted to know more about computers, so I could get a well-paid job. But, then the passion for computers and learning really kicked in,”she smiles. She appreciates the small classes, along with the friendly atmosphere and diverse cultural mix of the campus where social events are held on a regular basis. “Students here can complete a level 5 computer servicing course in only 36 weeks, which can put them firmly on the road for a good career,” DeeDee explains. Life could have been very different for DeeDee Reti. She can be confident now that her six-year-old son, Antonio, will grow up secure in a family unit with exciting career prospects. She’s already started reaching out to the Pasifika community about the importance of education and career aspirations. The “class clown” has done well.
I want to get qualified, get certified, get real job opportunities. Make it happen with NZSE School of ICT. - FREE COURSE: National Certificate in Computing | Level 3 - Open Entry - Certification in Computer Servicing Level 5 - Open Entry For next steps, Visit www.nzse.ac.nz or phone 0800 99 88 11
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The world’s your oyster ADVENTURE AROUND THE WORLD WITH SCIENCE by SARA CARBERY
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UAL ARTS SVACINSIEN IE D DNECSIEGN
4 R ACHEL BATCHELOR:
“Understanding and communicating science is a big part of my job.”
A keen hiker, 25-year-old Rachel Batchelor managed to combine adventure with study during her five years at university. For a start, she chose to do a Bachelor of Science (BSc), majoring in Geography, at the University of Otago, a subject that – happily – has a ton of field trips. “You get to go to some really cool places and do some really cool things like climbing around moraines in the Mount Cook region or checking out dune systems in the Catlins.” Then, for her Masters in Geography, Rachel went to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand for two months to study the environmental impact assessments of dams along the Mekong River. “It was a trip of a lifetime. I got to do a lot of sightseeing alongside my research, as well as meeting really interesting people working to protect vulnerable communities and fragile environments.” Field study is a big part of the Geography Masters programme at Otago University and Rachel’s o find out more about studying O Tscience at the University of Otago,
go to www.otago.ac.nz/sciences/
research was funded in part by a geography department scholarship. One of her classmates spent time in Papua New Guinea for her thesis, two others went to Africa and another to India, several to Antarctica, and others to “cool places throughout NZ, like Stewart Island and Milford Sound”.
phy was perfect. “We got to study all sorts of stuff – geology, ecology, marine science, climatology and glaciology which all include aspects of chemistry, biology and physics – most of which has turned out to be useful. For example, we did a bit of soil science which has turned out to be helpful in my current job.”
Although she’s got a science degree, Rachel doesn’t think of herself as a “scientist scientist”. A white lab coat and test tubes were never for her. “I think science is cool, but I’ve always been interested in how it relates to real life.”
Rachel isn’t sure where her career will take her, but she does know she’d like a varied career path. “I’d like to get some experience working in a consultancy, carrying out environmental impact assessments, public policy, planning, science communication and I’m not averse to doing some teaching. There are lots of things I’d like to try.”
These days Rachel is working for the Ministry for the Environment dealing with contaminated soil issues. “I’m the person who goes between the techy people, government departments and the people who own potentially contaminated properties as a kind of translator. Understanding and communicating science is a big part of my job.” In her last year at Queen’s High School in Dunedin, Rachel took “a mixed bag” of subjects – English, statistics, chemistry, German and history – “Not very sciencey topics!” she admits. “I liked a big range of things and found it hard to pin myself down to one area.” For someone like her – “more of a generalist than a specialist” – a flexible degree like geogra-
She says a varied and evolving career path is common these days and something that can be a comfort to school leavers unsure of what they want to do. “When you’re at school you feel like you have to pick one thing, but it’s a dynamic world with lots of new jobs being created all the time in new areas, especially the environmental science sector. It’s pretty cool! “Remember that what you choose to do when you leave school isn’t the last thing you’ll ever do. Once you’re at uni or out working, your eyes will be opened to so many opportunities you didn’t know existed.”
ENGINEERING APPRENTICES IN HUGE DEMAND
A fitting career for engineering enthusiast by ROBYN YOUSEF
Ashton Fleming loves machinery and by the end of this year the 22-year-old will be a qualified fitter machinist. Her skills also prove very handy in her hobby of racing stockcars when repair work is needed on the cars. “Engineering is something I have always been interested in, as I spent a lot of time with my father growing up and enjoyed helping him make things. There is no job I would rather be doing. I love it. I use machinery to create all sorts of things and parts of machines,” she explains. The men Ashton works with at Hayes International in Rotorua are used to working alongside women as another machinist, Millie Hutcheson, is also well-established there. During her studies, Ashton stood out as the only female on her course, but it was a very positive time for her. “The guys were all very supportive.” Ashton was born and grew up in Rotorua where she attended Westbrook Primary School, Rotorua Intermediate and Western Heights High School. She started her engineering studies with a year-long pre-trade course at Wairiki Institute of Technology as soon as she finished high
school. And from there, she went on to start her apprenticeship through ATNZ/Competenz at Hayes. She looks forward to completing her qualifications at the end of 2014. “I would recommend the course to school leavers. I would not be where I am today without it,” Ashton says. Her plan is to work her way up in an engineering business when she finishes her apprenticeship. At this stage, she doesn’t have any plans for overseas travel, but will have it as an option. “There are endless opportunities out there. My ultimate aim is just to get qualified and build a career in the industry I enjoy.” Ashton is really passionate about the industry. Her advice to school leavers who are interested in engineering is don’t be afraid to give it a go. “Work hard and do your best. Do whatever you can to get into the industry you want, even if it means sweeping floors. Once you have a foot in the door you can start working your way up. And, also I would say do what you love and love what you do.” Rachel Hopkins, General Manager for Marketing and Communications at Competenz, says that
4 A SHTON FLEMING:
A childhood dream has become a career.
ATNZ is New Zealand’s largest employer of mechanical engineering apprentices. There are apprenticeship opportunities for bright, motivated and practical people, of all ages, all around New Zealand. Register your interest online at www.atnz.org.nz or contact Competenz on 0800 526 1800.
currently more than 90 per cent of mechanical engineering apprentices are male. “But, the bigger problem is that we don’t have enough apprentices to match to opportunities. There is huge market demand for engineering apprentices. “We would like to see more young women signing up for apprenticeships and schools doing more to encourage females into trades engineering. When they do sign up, we know that they do well.” Rachel says Ashton is a valued member of the team at Hayes International, earning money and enjoying her work while learning new skills and building her career. “Her passion for her trade is a great example to other young women interested in engineering. “If young women are interested in engineering, programmes like Gateway and Trades Academies in schools gives them the chance to get a taste of the industry, with pathways on to pretrade courses and jobs involving apprenticeships.” For more information on apprenticeships like Ashton’s visit www.competenz.org.nz
ENGINEERING
43
4 ALYSSA WATSON:
Her job gives her the opportunity to “be mostly creative all day” .
44
VISUAL ARTS AND DESIGN
by SARA CARBERY In 10 years’ time, Alyssa Watson hopes to be working as a freelance designer or painter in a studio overlooking the Marlborough Sounds. She’s well on her way to achieving this dream, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Media (Visual Arts and Design) from Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) two years ago. “Being creative has always been a part of me. My family like to think they are a bit alternative and creative, so I guess that rubbed off on me, too.” Excelling in creative subjects at Queen Charlotte College in Picton, an arty degree of some kind was always on the cards for Alyssa. “I knew I wanted to do something creative; I just wasn’t exactly sure what it was,” she says. In Year 13, Alyssa took English, painting, design, classics and biology. “I needed to take English for my course, and had to show a portfolio of artwork to get in. “I excelled in painting and design and gained a painting scholarship as well, which helped with getting in.” Once accepted to NMIT, Alyssa spent three years studying at the Nelson campus, “the perfect place” for her. “It had a really relaxed feel and a brand new arts building. The tutors were amazing and were easy to approach.
“Also, NMIT have a ‘half a degree for free’ scholarship for local school leavers, which made everything a lot easier.” She went into her degree with an open mind as to what career path she would take, but decided to specialise in Visual Arts and Design halfway through her study. “I am a naturally creative person, so where layout and colours are concerned, I have a natural feel for what works. “I felt Visual Arts and Design would let me be creative, but also have the potential to find a job as well. If you go down the path of design, you definitely have more options as our society is becoming more reliant on computers and the internet.” Having spent six months travelling, and another 12 months working as a painter/decorator with her dad fixing up the bumps and cracks of the Christchurch earthquake, 23-year-old Alyssa is now working as Production Co-ordinator for Academy Diaries in Christchurch, creating school diaries. “I am sent a school’s chosen artwork and I make these into covers for the diaries and put together their prelim pages, too,” she explains. “I have also been doing some graphic design for our magazines here at Academy Publishing, making adverts for a range of companies.” A lot of her day is spent in InDesign and Photoshop, but there is also a hands-on element, as
she makes calls to schools and companies to check they have received their proofs, and to sort other queries. “I get to be – mostly – creative all day,” Alyssa says. She has come to realise there are many different outlets for design work. “I would never have thought that I could be doing this job creating school diaries. So, good advice would be to think outside the square when looking for design work.” Her other advice to high school students is to “take your time choosing what you want to study; never feel pressured into doing something you don’t enjoy. “I just followed my heart, as cheesy as it sounds. Money, at the end of the day, doesn’t mean a lot if your happiness is being jeopardised by a job you don’t enjoy.” With this philosophy, the chances are high that Alyssa will one day be standing, paintbrush in hand, in a studio overlooking the Marlborough Sounds. To find out more about NMIT O visit www.nmit.ac.nz
Push your abilities sky-high Become a SuperHuman Teaching reaches far beyond the classroom. It moulds the minds of tomorrow’s leaders, and prepares them for a world of constant change. Got what it takes to teach? Visit TeachNZ.govt.nz
by ROBYN YOUSEF
46
S ETR ALRO AULIBG IASDU CCOH TLCIVAENA GONRYY SGIG DTEEN AE NEDT
4 TONE KOLOSE:
“Teaching is a job that is immensely satisfying.
Tone Kolose had always wanted to work with young people, but it was the influence of seven teachers he describes as “great role models” who inspired him to become a teacher. Now, at 42, he is Principal of Manurewa South School in Auckland. Tone was born in Auckland and has German/ Samoan heritage. He was raised in a family of eight children, he has one sister and six brothers. He is married to a teacher he met while training, they have five children, the eldest is 14 and the youngest is five. “I first started to think about teaching as a career at high school, Mangere College. Teaching wasn’t my first option as I wanted to be a policeman to work with ‘at risk’ youth or in the education section,” he explains. But, those seven teachers he remembers from his own school days so well – Mr Brian Annan, Mr David Hodge, Mrs Corrine Hansell, Mr Ian Faulkner, Ms Megan McSweeny, Mrs Brenda Earthy and Dr Trevor Thwaites – inspired him to turn to teaching. He did his training at the University of Auckland (operating as Auckland College of Education when he trained) and his first two years of
teaching (1993–1994) at Mountain View Primary School in Mangere. In 1995, Tone was appointed Assistant Principal at Takanini School, and became Deputy Principal in 1998. Two years later, he was made Acting Principal at Wymondley Road School in Otara and was promoted to Principal, the following year. He worked there until 2011 when he was appointed Principal at his current school. Manurewa South is a decile one school of 300 students with the roll comprising 70% Maori, 15% Pasifika, 10% Asian and 5% European children. Tone heads a staff of 25. Being at the front of a class teaching remains the favourite part of Tone’s role. “I enjoy getting into classrooms and teaching. Watching students grow and progress, engaging parents in their child’s learning – seeing the light switch go on for them. “All children inspire me, they learn at different rates (some faster than others) but when they make a connection to learning it’s so cool seeing their reaction – that ‘I get it’ moment.” Tone believes the school plays an important role in the local community. “The school is the ‘heart’ of the community. It is my role to engage parents in their child’s learning. But, parents are
the most important teachers for their children and our role is to support them and their child’s learning. “This is important because parents are influential in their child’s learning. In order for this to happen we have to provide parents with strategies and ways to support that learning at home – it’s a partnership.” And like most decile one schools, Manurewa South has to confront a host of problems. These include issues such as child poverty, attendance and truancy. “We can’t change what happens outside of school but we certainly do our best and make changes while we have them in school.” As a passionate educator, Tone says the main factor for success in our education system is making sure we have the very best teachers in front of our children. “Teaching is a wonderfully rewarding career and I urge young people out there to look at this career option. It is a job which is immensely satisfying.” more about teaching O Tocheckfindoutoutwww.TeachNZ.govt.nz
4 ADAM JACKSON:
Working the dream…
RETAIL IS DETAIL
CATEGRET ORAYIL
Passionate musician rubs heads with rockstars by ROBYN YOUSEF As a young boy, Adam Jackson was totally bewitched by the music, theatricality and costumes of David Bowie, particularly Ziggy Stardust. He wanted to be a rock star. While he hasn’t reached the heady heights of stardom, he has followed his passion for music and is Branch Manager at the Rockshop in Auckland’s Sylvia Park. Adam had been a customer at the Rockshop for many years before he started work there five years ago. “Try to follow your passion in whatever you do, if you really love sports then try working in a sports shop. Being passionate about the things you sell means your work can be very rewarding to you and beneficial to those you are serving,” the 38-year-old advises. Adam was raised in Wellington, attending Rewa Primary School, Newlands Intermediate and Newlands College. He worked in the hospitality industry for many years before he joined the Rockshop and all his training has been done on the job. At 11, he began learning the trumpet and drums, and then, at 14, he got hold of his sister’s acoustic guitar and taught himself to play. He has never really put it down, since.
When he moved to Auckland at the age of 19, he formed a band, Milk, with guitarist, Greg Allen. They played on the local scene, recording a couple of songs with engineer Neil Baldock and Andrew Buckton (Studio 203). Adam left Milk to pursue darker music with Sam Gibbs, as Six Stitches. He believes the music they wrote and recorded together was his best. This was followed by a stint as a singer with the band El Bajo, playing very “sludgy” metal. The band split this year after releasing an E.P and an L.P. With 22 shops across New Zealand, the Rockshop is New Zealand’s largest chain in the rock music industry. It sells quality musical instruments and accessories including guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, digital pianos, recording software, Hitech and DJ gear, amplifiers and associated equipment. The Sylvia Park Rockshop has three fulltime and two part-time workers. Adam’s favourite aspect of his role is the people he deals with, “Being able to offer solutions and provide guidance to other musicians at all stages of development is extremely satisfying.” He advises school leavers thinking about work in the retail industry to ensure they
really like working with people. Traits such as being outgoing, friendly and patient also help a lot. Adam also points out that retail is detail, so attention to detail is essential. “Retail can be very rewarding if you like people, if you enjoy interacting with others, helping people find solutions and providing great service then a career in retail could be good for you. Have fun at work and work will be fun.” And, Adam also gets to work with bona fide rockstars. “I have had the pleasure of meeting some very famous people through my work, from Dave Dobbyn to Slipknot and it is always cool to meet your heroes.” ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington believes retail offers a rewarding career path for people with the right attitude and qualifications. “Learning on the job means that you earn as you learn, while giving you skills and nationally-recognised qualifications. With those under your belt you have opportunities in all aspects of retailing, from the school leaver’s first job right up to management or even starting your own business.” ServiceIQ is the industry training organisation O(ITO) for the aviation, hospitality, retail, travel,
tourism, museums and wholesale sectors. Visit www.serviceiq.org.nz
4477
AWARD-WINNING GRAPHIC DESIGNER ADVISES SCHOOL LEAVERS TO “DREAM BIG”
Grand designs by SARA CARBERY
48
ARTS GRVAAINSPDUHADILCESDIEGSNIGN
4 michelle so:
Shares some of her work on display at the Pearce Gallery at Whitecliffe.
Always known as “the artistic one” at school, Michelle So has been interested in art and creativity for as long as she can remember. “My parents picked up on my interest early and at age six, I began art classes and my passion for creativity only grew from there,” she remembers. By Year 12 Michelle knew the career path she wanted to take was in graphic design, and, with that in mind, she studied design, photography, art history, classical studies and geography in Year 13. Late last year, she graduated from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Graphic Design. “There weren’t any subjects that were absolutely required to gain entry into Graphic Design but design and photography were a nice taster to see if I’d enjoy pursuing it further.” She could also use the work she created in those subjects as part of her portfolio for her university application. “My humanities subjects developed my essay writing skills, which is actually equally important in graphic design, as you need a strong rationale for what you are doing – people often think that graphic design is just about the aesthetics.” She describes the course at Whitecliffe as “challenging in a good way”. Michelle continues, “It required 110 per cent commitment and a lot of late nights.” Graphic design is a highly competitive field, especially for people starting out. “You have to make sure you push yourself while you’re studying to create the strongest portfolio that you can before you leave university, to put yourself in a good place against other graduates.” Because of the competitive nature of the industry, she advises school leavers to think seriously about whether it’s what they really want to do.
“And if it is, then great, dream big.” She recommends getting started on your portfolio early, but cautions against deciding on a specialised area too soon. “You will probably find that your specific interests within graphic design will change during the course of your study as you discover new things. Be confident in your work, always have a rationale, and most importantly don’t just do things because it looks nice.” The scope of work for Graphic Design graduates is wide. You can specialise in a specific area, for example, identity, packaging, illustration, print publishing, web, typography or advertising. You also have the option of working in a design studio, freelance or in-house. Now 22, and with myriad awards to her name including Australasian Graduate of the Year Award – Visual Communication category, Top in Year 4 Graphic Design, Shanghai University Workshop Scholarship, Greg Whitecliffe Memorial Trust Award, Logo Competition Winner for Brown Kiwi and many others, Michelle is currently working as Junior Designer at an awardwinning Auckland design studio. Her aspiration is to be a Design Director “working with talented and inspirational individuals whom I respect, and I would like to have won a couple of big awards for my work”. A decade and a half on from her first art classes, Michelle still thrives on creativity and loves her choice of career. “I enjoy the process of problem solving to achieve something that is creative and functional, as well as accessible to the general public.” find out more about the courses available O Toat Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design visit
whitecliffe.ac.nz/whitecliffe/prospectus/
Find out why a career in hairdressing starts with a HITO apprenticeship
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Power to the People
BECOMING AN ELECTRICIAN 50
TURADILCEISAAIRGNTNS ELVAEINCSD
by SARA CARBERY Ellen Kibblewhite has always been fascinated with how things work. “As a young girl I used to pull old cell phones and old appliances apart to see how they worked. I remember once our DVD player wouldn’t work so I pulled it apart and found a DVD was stuck. “After putting it back together, it worked. It was an awesome feeling to realise that I could fix it!” At Wairarapa College, Ellen took more of the “male-oriented subjects” such as building, technology and engineering. “I did well at these subjects and enjoyed making things with my hands,” she remembers. Growing up in a family of tradespeople – her dad is a mechanic turned business-owner, one brother is a heavy diesel mechanic and her other brother is doing an engineer’s apprenticeship – Ellen knew she wanted to get a trade but, at first, was unsure which one. “The idea of earning money and learning at the same time really appealed to me. I wanted to do a trade that didn’t involve getting too dirty every day, so I thought electrical would be a good option.” At the end of Year 12, Ellen did a week’s work experience at Callister Electrical and Refrigeration in Masterton to see what she thought. “It was interesting to see how things worked and what was involved in making up switchboards to supply electricity to homes, among other things.”
4 ELLEN KIBBLEWHITE:
“I enjoy the challenges involved and like having to think things through.”
O
E llen is doing her apprenticeship through The Skills Organisation. To find out more, go to www.skills.org.nz or phone 0508 SKILLS (0508 754 557)
If you’re interested in an electrical apprenticeship, you’ll need at least Level 2 NCEA (Maths, Science, English) as well as some mechanical knowledge. Also be prepared for the theoretical side of training, as well as the on-job work, advises Ellen. “At first I found the theory side of the apprenticeship a little overwhelming, but once I started night classes and attending block courses with other electrical apprentices, I started to understand the electrical terminology.” Ellen’s job with Callister Electrical involves wiring new homes; re-wiring old homes; repairing commercial dishwashers, ovens and washing machines; maintenance at local businesses; domestic electrical works; wiring in new heat pumps; and industrial work. She says the number of female electricians is growing – as is demand – and seeing women on site is becoming more common. “When I first started, people didn’t quite know how to handle a girl on the job site. The younger workers were better than the older ones and the electricians training me were – and are – exceptional. “The older generation of electricians who trained when it was a men-only trade didn’t accept having me in the industry at first. I find that they have accepted me now they realise that I am here to see it through.” So, is electrical work what Ellen thought it would be?
Most apprentices go on trial for three months before being accepted to an apprenticeship, but Ellen went straight into hers and now, aged 19, is close to finishing.
“It isn’t the clean job that I thought it would be, and there is a lot more heavy lifting than I expected, but it is a lot of fun. I enjoy the challenges involved, and like having to think things through, as you never know what faults will arise.”
“I have just sat my final exam and am waiting for results at the moment. I then have to complete my regulation exam at the end of the year, along with some more on-job sign-offs.”
And as far as career prospects go, the future for electricians looks bright. “People will always need an electrician,” she says. “We all rely on electricity.”
THE EVER-CHANGING WORKPLACE
Supporting your teens in their career choices by JANET TUCK and CAROLINE SANDFORD, Career Specialists The current work environment is in the midst of significant change, which means your children will most likely have a career journey that is dynamic and varied. They are likely to work in more flexible ways and experience less job security than their parents. Chances are they will have four to six different occupations in their lifetimes, and work in jobs that haven’t even been invented yet. Vocational mobility will be a necessity as well as having a transportable skill set. Other skills needed to be successful in today's workplace include: Flexibility Adaptability Taking responsibility for own learning Self-management Career decision making Teamwork Communication Problem solving Critical thinking Numeracy and IT literacy Collaboration Resilience
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Your teen needs to understand themselves before deciding what to do work-wise. The key to figuring out a good career pathway involves: Understanding who they are as a person Knowing “what makes them tick” .Working through all aspects of the career planning process. As a parent, you can support your children through the decision-making process and remove some of the stress. .Give your children specific feedback about the things they do well. H ave lots of informal conversations. Ask good “open-ended” questions about career thinking. Helpful questions are ones that help teens identify what is known about various options and suggest ways they can find out more. .Avoid being critical about specific jobs, areas of interest, or particular tertiary institutions. .Encourage children to dream, and stay open and positive to the variety of possibilities they suggest. Resist the temptation to tell your teens the subjects they should study. Instead encourage them to take subjects they enjoy and which reflect who they are.
• • • • • • • •
• Introduce them to a
PARENTAL variety of work situations, through ADVICE either part time work or work experience. Help them make connections. Help your teen navigate .through the system and research the job market. Help turn their ideas into an achievable plan. Seek out professional career help if needed. Whatever decisions your children make now regarding their careers probably won't be their last. Be realistic with your expectations; let your children know that it is okay and normal to change their minds. Remember, the decision about which career to pursue is often not a clear-cut, ‘light-bulb moment’. A Gap year can be a good option for some young people, allowing them time to mature, explore and research options.
• • •
For more information visit OThe Career Clinic at www.careerclinic.co.nz
51
LAND YOUR DREAM JOB
Positive primary industry possibilities 52
by Jackie Harrigan Ever thought about a career marketing Fonterra products overseas? Helping farmers with environmental monitoring and planning? Advising growers about seeds and fertilisers? Working with farmers on their budgets and business plans? Developing new added-value food products? Improving the genetic gain in dairy herds? These and many more interesting and wellpaid jobs are available in the agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries, AKA ‘the primary industries’. You could work to improve the genetic gain in dairy herds, look at new technologies and clever apps to help growers be
PRIMARY N I DUSTRIES
more productive and to work smarter, engineer robotic solutions for fruit packaging or meat processing or control drones to overfly farmland and map terrain, pasture growth rates and utilisation. The government estimates the primary industries will need 50,000 extra workers in order to reach the target of doubling primary sector export earnings by 2025. As a country we need more farmers, horticulturalists and foresters. But we actually need far more people in the support services sector of these industries to add more value to products. The industry is crying out for people with quali-
fications in science, business, engineering, technology, with sector knowledge around agriculture, horticulture or forestry; or with applied agricultural or horticultural science or commerce degrees. The Ministry for Primary Industries suggests we need 32,000 graduates with these degrees or Level 4 trained people coming into the sector during the next 10 years. The industry is looking for young people to work with farmers and across the wider industry, people with science skills, business brains, technology whizz-kids, eager environmentalists, product developers and amazing marketers. Are you one of them?
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www.tpp.ac.nz
Marika Anselmi never thought she would be carving out a future in the insurance industry when she signed up for a Massey University agri-commerce degree but four years later she can’t imagine being anywhere else. The Piopio farm girl joined rural insurer FMG on its graduate training programme after finishing university and completed the six-month training. She now has her own rural area and portfolio of clients. Getting out on her clients’ farms and spending time solving their problems is what makes Marika bounce out of bed in the morning. “It’s not about selling more cover, it’s about helping them to understand their business risks and seeing how they could either mitigate the risk, absorb it or set up insurance to cover it.” Policies cover all sorts of business risk – from high value live animals to refrigerated semen/embryos, contamination of milk, machinery and buildings loss, fire or theft, liability, vehicles, crops, business interruption, breakdowns or contract works. “Clients businesses are always changing so we visit and review on a yearly basis, covering off any changes or new buildings and identifying weather-related risks. The payoff for clients is lower premiums and less interruption to their business so they can be more profitable. out these and more opportunities O inCheck the primary industries at
www.landyourdreamjob.co.nz
4 MARIKA ANSELMI:
As an agri-insurance manager Marika Anselmi loves getting out on farm and helping farmers find solutions to business problems.
Get a qualification that can take you anywhere. Choose from more than 150 career-focused degrees, diplomas and certificates. Spend your time wisely. Enrol now for 2015
0800 24 24 76 cpit.ac.nz/enrol2015
Madras Street and Ensors Road, Christchurch
Global career beckons for award-winning chef
ServiceIQ’s 2013 Apprentice Chef of the Year by ROBYN YOUSEF
54
At just 21 years of age, Tamara Johnson is already well on her way to becoming a successful chef; one on the international stage, potentially. In 2013, she won ServiceIQ’s Modern Apprentice Chef of the Year competition, and in September she is travelling to the United States for a year-long culinary internship at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Orlando.
AL ARTS CUVAILNSIDUNDAERSYIGANRTS
She is currently Sous Chef at Takapuna Beach Café (owned by the highly successful Hip Group Ltd), but until recently worked at Auckland’s Clooney restaurant – renowned for degustation dining. Tamara was selected from over 200 potential applicants for the ServiceIQ Modern Apprentice Chef of the Year competition, and was challenged to a time-trial cook-off against seven fellow competitors. Chef judges from the New Zealand Chefs’ Association judged the competition, which was attended by hundreds of industry professionals at the Culinary Fare in Auckland. “Winning that title was one of the best moments of my life. It took a lot of passion and determination to give me the confidence needed to succeed. I had practised my dishes so many times,
so everything I did became second nature. I guess being really competitive helped a lot, too. My reward was an all-expenses-paid trip to Melbourne for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival where I got to work with some of the best international chefs. It was an amazing opportunity,” Tamara recalls. She grew up in Whangaparaoa, on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast, and trained to be a chef by completing a cookery apprenticeship through ServiceIQ, which covered both Level 3 and 4 National Certificates in Cookery. Some of her training was through Auckland Hotel and Chefs Training School in Newmarket. “I would highly recommend anyone who is looking to study as a chef to go here because their facilities are great and the teacher-to-student ratio is very good.” Tamara finds her job very rewarding. “Through the completion of my apprenticeship, I have picked up the skills to manage a kitchen and maintain a smooth service. I get the opportunity to work with many diverse people and share my passion with younger budding chefs. I have had a lot of input with the current menu at Takapuna Beach Café, and that has been a really cool experience.” She is also looking forward to her American experience. “I am hoping that by working in such
a large establishment, I will have the chance to work with a lot of diverse people and come into contact with the latest food trends. I will possibly work my way through Europe on the way home.” ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington says, “Winning the ServiceIQ Apprentice Chef of the Year competition is a major endorsement of the employer’s kitchen, and the talent in our apprenticeship programmes. This is New Zealand’s premiere cooking competition for trainee chefs.” Tamara’s advice for school leavers wanting to be chefs is to “First go and do some work experience in a café or restaurant kitchen, to see if you like the pace and the environment. From there if you still love it, apply for an apprenticeship in cookery. Firstly, because you get fully submerged in the excitement of the industry straight away, and secondly, you get paid to learn. You will meet so many different people, you will never stop learning new skills and techniques and then once you are qualified you can work all over the world. People will always need to eat so you will never be without a job. “You can be the reason for someone's special moment with food and to me that is one of the most rewarding factors of being a successful chef.”
4 TAMARA JOHNSON:
Has words of wisdom – first try it out, see if you like the pace and environment.
ServiceIQ is the industry training organisation O(ITO) for the aviation, hospitality, retail, travel,
tourism, museums and wholesale sectors. Visit www.serviceiq.org.nz
WHILE NILESH IS WORKING BEHIND THE COUNTER, HE’S ALSO EARNING A BUSINESS DEGREE.
AND YOU THOUGHT McDONALD’S WAS A BRAIN-DEAD JOB.
®
NILESH BHAN Restaurant Manager, McDonald’s Wairau Road. One of 2,000 crew members currently gaining NZQA qualifications through McDonald’s.
mcdonalds.co.nz/careers
MAC0096_LS
Getting Things shipshape
Boatbuilding apprenticeship leads to a life on the water by SARA CARBERY
56
SHAUN SMITH: 4 “It’s a great trade. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
BOATBUILDING
Shaun Smith always thought his future lay in cars – or more specifically, under them. “I was a bit of a petrolhead,” he says, but a few days’ working at a mechanics in Year 12 left him thinking that wasn’t the career for him. “I wasn’t into being covered in grease all day!” At school he liked working with his hands, enjoying subjects like woodworking and automotive engineering, and knew he wanted to get a trade. But, it wasn’t until one of his teachers at Papatoetoe High School suggested he spend a few days at local company Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders that Shaun ever considered working with boats. “Boats were completely new to me, but once I got into boatbuilding, I loved it more and more.” At the end of Year 12 he signed on for a New Zealand Marine Industry Training Organisation (NZMITO) boatbuilding apprenticeship. “I wanted to get out and get into it,” he remembers. After years at school, Shaun appreciated earning while he learned. “Yes, you’re on For more information about marine Otraining and apprenticeships, go to
www.nzmarine.com/marine-apprentices
an apprenticeship wage, but the way I look at it is you’re being paid to get a qualification.” With 9,000 hours of on-the-floor training (around four-and-a-half years) working with qualified boatbuilders, and two National Certificates (Wooden Boatbuilding and Composite Boatbuilding) under his belt, Shaun qualified just over a year ago. Aged 23, it is now his turn to help train apprentices at Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders. “It’s good to be able to pass on your skills and teach guys the way you were taught.” He enjoys the “dying art” of wooden boatbuilding best of all but believes composite (fibreglass) boatbuilding is the way forward. “Just look at the America’s Cup. That’s where boatbuilding is going.” Describing himself as “a run-of-the-mill guy at school,” Shaun believes anyone could do what he’s done, as long as they show the initiative and the commitment. “You have to be interested and show you’re there to learn and not to muck around. “If you commit, the other tradesmen and your boss will put the time into training you because you are the future of that company.” www.leavingschool.co.nz
Shaun admits boatbuilding is hard work, but also says it is interesting work that demands a lot of skill. “There are no straight lines; it’s all curves. There’s a lot to get your head around.” There’s plenty of variety, too, with many different areas to train and specialise in, including cabinetmaking, sparmaking, marine rigging and marine painting. A dyed-in-the-wool landlubber when he was at school, these days Shaun is at home on the water. He not only works with boats, he spends his spare time racing them, too, this season stepping up from Clubmans to race in the Formula 3 class. Ten years down the track, Shaun would like to be running his own shop, “or doing more of my own thing,” but acknowledges it’s a hard industry to go out on your own. “You have to have a vision, you have to want to change the industry for the better.” What is his advice to others thinking about boatbuilding? “Don’t give up too early. There’s a lot of hard work involved and, at first, it might not seem like much reward, but look at it in the long run. It’s a great trade. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
More to medicine than meets the eye
CAREER IN PHYSICS DISPELS THE STEREOTYPES by SARA CARBERY
4 SUZANNE LYDIARD:
Working on the optical coherence tomography system she helped to build during her first summer project.
Suzanne Lydiard admits she “kind of fell into” her field of study – a Bachelor of Technology at the University of Auckland, majoring in Medical Physics and Imaging. “I didn’t even know this field existed!” The daughter of two doctors, Suzanne excelled in science subjects at Tauranga Girls’ College, where she was Dux. Unsure what she wanted to do, she did consider following in her parents’ footsteps, “much to their dismay”, but once she got a taste of research she knew becoming a doctor was not for her. “I really enjoy the mental stimulation and challenge of researching and attempting things that no-one else in the world has attempted. Sometimes you get results that deviate from what you or literature expects and you have to figure out why that is.” Having won a University of Auckland scholarship, she started off studying Biomedical Science. It was during this time that she first heard about medical physics and imaging during a talk by one of the lecturers. “Around this time I also had a bone scan and this really sparked my interest as the technician spent an hour discussing the nuclear physics theory and imaging process,” remembers 23year-old Suzanne. “I admit I never thought I would pursue a physics-based career, as I imagined physicists
as the stereotypical old, balding, white-haired guys that spent all day deriving proofs on blackboards with chalk!” But, that stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth. The researchers and lecturers she has learnt from have been inspiring and Suzanne has experienced research in a wide range of areas – from optical physics to more clinical research working with doctors and clinical patients. “All before I even graduate!” Over three summers she completed four research scholarships – one with the University of Auckland Physics Department working on Optical Coherence Tomography; two with the University of Queensland – one exploring new MRI sequences to detect Spondylolysis (back stress fracture) and the other developing an optical tweezer set-up; and one with the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, measuring the intracranial pressure in rats via telemetry. In 2013, Suzanne completed her honours project in Compressed Sensing in Cardiac MRI in the Auckland MRI Research Group. The current clinical cardiac MRI sequence involves many long breath-holds, which many patients with cardiovascular conditions struggle with, Suzanne explains. “My project was to test out a new sequence that could acquire these images in a fraction of the time and even image the heart beating in real-time. This sequence has www.leavingschool.co.nz
SCIEN IENCE
the potential to become the standard cardiac MRI technique used in clinical investigations world-wide.” Nearing the end of her degree, Suzanne is once again approaching a crossroads. “At this stage I am thinking of doing a PhD and trying to get into academia.” Other graduates have gone on to do Masters in Physics or Medical Physics or PhDs. A few have also gone straight into the workforce for companies such as Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, or data analysis positions. A popular pathway is to become a trained Medical Physicist and work in hospitals and private medical companies. “The best advice I have been given is to just apply for opportunities, even if you think you are not good enough. There is no harm and you never know what may happen! “To women specifically, do not be afraid to enter what is considered a male-dominated career path. I have not come across any hindrance and the Physics department has just created a group for women which will hopefully build up to be a really supportive and fun community.” on studying science O Fatortheinformation University of Auckland,
go to www.science.auckland.ac.nz
57
by SARA CARBERY
58
Grace Leggett took a slightly different approach to her career than most people. S T R A L A U S I V ODN DSDDOEERSSSIIGGHNNIP SAPANN Rather than deciding what job she wanted to do, she compiled a list of five companies she’d like to work for and set about securing a job – any job – with one of them. “I decided I was going to do whatever it took to get my foot in the door, and once I was there, convince them they needed me to stay!” Four days after embarking on her mission, Grace had secured a temporary two-week position at one of her chosen companies, SKYCITY, as PA to the General Manager of Marketing. “Everything about SKYCITY is so exciting. It’s so huge and has such a vast and diverse portfolio – a world-class casino, two hotels, over 25 bars and restaurants … I’m still getting my head around it!”
Before her two weeks were up, an opportunity to cover a maternity leave position arose and, after three months in that role, Grace was offered a permanent position in SKYCITY’s marketing department. That was six years ago, and since then she has worked her way up to the role of Sponsorship Manager, a job she “absolutely loves”. “I love being able to identify what sponsorship properties align with SKYCITY’s objectives and coming up with creative ways to leverage the two brands together. You can be really creative as there are so many outlets to play with. It’s a mixture between a bit of publicity, marketing and advertising.” The 27 sponsorship properties Grace oversees include sports teams such as the SKYCITY Breakers, Vodafone Warriors and Blues (perfect for the self-described “sports fanatic”); TV shows, like The X-Factor and The Block; and charities such as Variety – the Children’s Charity, and the
4 GRACE LEGGETT:
“Finding a big company and then finding my niche was my objective from the start.”
Leukemia and Blood Foundation which raises big money each year through its Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge. Another thing 28-year-old Grace did differently to most people was she managed to study fulltime – a Bachelor of Communications Studies at AUT – while working full-time.“Did you know it takes four minutes to run from SKYCITY to the AUT lecture hall?! “I’m not sure if I’d recommend doing both fulltime,” she admits. “Although it was great being able to instantly apply what I was learning. I did so many fascinating assignments and could relate them all back to SKYCITY.” Grace went to Rangitoto College on Auckland’s North Shore 10 years ago, where she studied English, PE, art history, geography and biology. She had no idea what she wanted to do after high school. “It’s easy to think there are only the obvious jobs out there – nurse, lawyer, accountant – but there is so much more. Sponsorship Manager? I wouldn’t have had a clue what that meant!” Grace considered doing a Bachelor of Commerce after leaving school, “but at 18 it can all seem a bit daunting and I really didn’t know what my career path was”. Instead of studying, she embarked on her OE, working in event management and communications in London before returning to Auckland, aged 22, and setting her sights on SKYCITY. A decade on from leaving school, what is Grace’s advice to others? “You need to ask yourself, ‘What are my skills? What do I enjoy? What is my passion? Then work really, really hard. Make the most of opportunities that come along, take the initiative and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. “Try things! I’m proof that you don’t have to stay in one particular area. Finding a big company and then finding my niche was my objective from the start – and it worked!” find out more about career O Toopportunities at SKYCITY go to www.skycitycareers.co.nz
www.leavingschool.co.nz
Pursuing your passion is a great career move
4 RHEA NELIS:
Seen here visiting her parents’ farm near Tirau.
FARMING
Mixing numbers with mud at Beef + Lamb by SARA CARBERY Proving you can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl, Rhea Nelis has come full circle. Having left the family farm near Matamata at the end of Year 13 to study, work and travel, Rhea is back on the land in her role as Northern North Island Economic Service Manager for Beef + Lamb New Zealand. “Quite a mouthful I know, but what this means is that I report on and forecast what is going to happen performance-wise for the sheep and beef farmers in Northland and Waikato.” Happily for 25-year-old Rhea, who loves donning her gumboots, this involves visiting farmers to talk about their on-farm and financial performance. “I then return to the office, collate this information and report on it.” Sounds like the perfect job for someone with a passion for figures and farming! “I have always loved the farm and having grown up on a farm I knew the life would always be a part of me,” says Rhea, who is a qualified Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Management Studies, majoring in Accounting, from the University of Waikato.
She says her decision to pursue accounting was one of natural progression. “I had helped my father out with the farm books since I was 14, and when it came to the crunch of what to study at university, I thought all I need is to have a piece of paper to get my foot in the door; once I’m in the industry then I will work my way around to where I want to be. As such, I pursued what came easiest.” Rhea believes it is just as important, if not more so, to pick an industry you love as well as a career you love. “I could not be passionate about what I am doing if it was in an industry I didn’t feel something for.” Her advice to others puzzling over careers is to “think about what you are passionate about and pursue that. It is always depressing to talk to people who don’t enjoy their job, complain about it and don’t do a thing about it. “This is where you are going to spend most of your time so do something that will make you happy! And if halfway through what you are doing you find that you actually don’t enjoy it, that’s okay – it is okay to change degrees, careers and paths
in life. You will regret it if you don’t pursue the passion.” Rhea believes that earning a qualification reflects more than just your abilities. “To me, a degree tells potential employers that you can learn, you can motivate yourself and that you are committed to your development. To me, that’s it and that is more important than what the degree is actually for. If you have a great attitude, a willingness to learn and are prepared to work hard, the career world will treat you well.” She admits that in interviewing for her current role, she technically wasn’t the best applicant. “I didn’t know the answers to all the questions, and on paper I had no experience or qualifications in agriculture.” When she asked her boss later why he’d chosen her, he said something to the effect of: “I can teach you the technical side; I can’t teach you a personality”. “As such,” says Rhea, “have a great attitude.” To find out more about careers in the rural sector, Ocheck out www.getahead.co.nz
59
The magic of music A LIFE OF OPERA by SARA CARBERY
60
ARTESR MVAUINSSDUICADCLEASRIGEN
4 B IANCA ANDREW:
She fell in love with opera at the age of 16. ”I was so affected by this music that I decided right then that opera had to be my life and my world.”
Acclaimed Wellington singer Bianca Andrew discovered opera by accident, not in an opera house, but at The Warehouse. “As I wandered around the aisles a beautiful silver CD glinted at me from the bargain bin – 100 Best Classical Hits. “That summer’s afternoon, I returned home and disappeared up to my room with my new purchase. What I heard next changed me profoundly. “Exquisite voices singing the love duet from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly sailed out of the little stereo in my bedroom and struck my 16-year-old heart right to its core. I was so affected by this music that I decided right then that opera had to be my life and my world.” Bianca was lucky to have an inspirational young voice teacher at school who became her role model. “Not only was she trendy, ridiculously funny, beautiful and kind – she was also an opera singer! I’d never thought that opera singers were like this.” Although she auditioned for the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM), encouraged by her parents and music teacher, Bianca admits she was still unsure that singing was what she
O New Zealand School of Music
For information on studying at the
check out www.nzsm.ac.nz
wanted to do with her life. “I knew I loved music, French, art and theatre, though.” She was considering a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in French and psychology, but ended up choosing a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Performance Voice, when she left Samuel Marsden Collegiate School. She spent a further year at NZSM studying for a Postgraduate Diploma of Music in Voice. Looking back, Bianca admits her first year at university was hard. “I didn’t have much of a real musical background, so I was struggling with the music theory component of my course. My lack of confidence made me very introverted and not quite focused. I reckon it’s normal for most teens to feel like this when they leave school – it’s so daunting taking responsibility for yourself and your future when all you’ve ever known is the structure of school.” Following her graduation, Bianca got an internship with New Zealand Opera, making her mainstage début as Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, singing the opera which had inspired her as a teenager. Currently based in Wellington, 24-year-old Bianca is heading to London in September to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. “I will be there for a couple of years and I hope to work with professional opera companies when I have graduated.” www.leavingschool.co.nz
Her dream is to one day sing at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London. “That would certainly be a dream come true. I’d love to sing the role of Ariodante one day when I am a bit older. I love Handel’s music and this opera in particular is awesome! “What I love about my job is working with all the different languages and composers, the history and stories behind everything we perform. “I love that we are constantly working on the knife-edge of live performance – it’s exhilarating when it all goes well!” Her advice to school leavers is, “Don’t freak out if you’ve got no idea what you want to do. You are capable of many more things than you think. The idea that we have to study one thing, and then do that for the rest of our lives is ridiculous. “Try and see the opportunities in everything. Take a chance on something random if it is offered to you. “Take every opportunity you are given to learn and enjoy the challenge! “And nurture your relationships, especially with people who believe in you and want to help you succeed. The most important thing is people.” find out more about O ToBianca and hear her singing,
go to www.biancaandrew.com
Finding WORK You LOVE
Life in the fast lane by SARA CARBERY
MOTO OTOR TRADE
4 JULIUS BLOEM:
Pictured here with one of the race cars he loves working on. “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and 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.” This quote from Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, is one that resonates with 21-year-old Automotive Technician Julius Bloem. “Choose a career around a passion. You could be in your chosen industry for the rest of your life, so it would be silly to do anything other than something you’re going to enjoy.” Nearing the end of high school, Julius was considering going to university to study business or art design, but he’d always really loved performance and race cars. As luck would have it, his mum knew someone whose husband owned a performance workshop and organised for him to go there one school holidays to see if he liked it. “I loved it and spent the rest of the year’s holidays there!” Julius also did a Gateway programme through MITO called StartUp®, which saw him spending one day per week at the workshop. “It was then I knew I wanted to be a mechanic, working specifically on performance and race cars.”
At the end of Year 13, having gained NCEA Level 3 and university entrance, he went straight into a MITO apprenticeship and now has a National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) (Level 4) Light Vehicle. Julius showed determination and initiative when working to secure his apprenticeship. “Coming to the end of my final year at high school, I emailed my CV to every performance and race car shop in Auckland, then printed some off and personally delivered them to a number of dealerships and workshops in Pukekohe.” Happily, one of the workshops showed an interest and took Julius on as an apprentice. Nearing the end of his training, Julius was searching for the chance to move further toward his passion of performance and race cars, when an opportunity arose with Possum Bourne Motorsport, where he now works as a Motorsport Technician. He also has a second job as a mechanic for the V8 SuperTourer Team, M3 Racing. His role at Possum Bourne Motorsport is focused around building, preparing and servicing worldclass race cars, primarily for rally. “I do the mechanical and electrical work on the vehicles, www.leavingschool.co.nz
ranging from complete disassembly to reassembly, maintenance and being on the crew at race events. “I also work on quite a few performance street cars, where I perform standard servicing, repairs and maintenance, as well as fault finding, diagnostics and performance modification.” So, what does he love most about his job? “I really enjoy having the privilege to work on race cars, and being paid for it. Getting to travel all over New Zealand is another real bonus. On a technical level, I love being involved with the electrical and computerised parts of a race car and the icing on the cake for me is the constant learning in my job. There is just so much to know and the very talented team that I work with are all experts in very specific areas, so I take in everything they have to say.” The rest of Steve Jobs’ quote goes, “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” Happily, Julius knew when he found ‘it’. find out more about O Totraining opportunities with MITO, visit www.mito.org.nz
61
Student checklist 62
It is important to complete all your paperwork and stay on top of your applications, especially with high school exams just around the corner. If you are weighing up different courses, across several providers and cities, we recommend you apply for as many of them as possible; this will keep your options open. Remember you don’t have to accept the offer if you decide to do something else.
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NOT ALL SCIENTISTS
wear LAB COATS Stick with science at university for exciting and sometimes unexpected careers. A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Technology can set you on the path to an inspiring career. With more than 25 majors to choose from, you can stick with science and follow your passion into a fulfilling career. Discover the amazing careers that begin with science and technology at university. Visit www.sciencecareers.ac.nz
IMPORTANT WEBSITES The following list of websites will hopefully assist you as you make plans for life after secondary school whether you plan further study at a polytechnic or university, take a Gap Year, start an apprenticeship or join the workforce.
Accountancy CPA New Zealand www.cpaaustralia.com.au Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand www.charteredaccountantsanz.com PWC www.pwc.co.nz
AGRICULTURE Beef & Lamb New Zealand www.beeflambnz.com Dairy NZ www.dairynz.co.nz Fonterra Co-Op Group www.fonterra.com Get Ahead www.getahead.co.nz New Zealand Veterinary Association www.nzva.org.nz Pathway in Agriculture www.pica.org.nz Primary ITO www.primaryito.ac.nz Young Farmers New Zealand www.youngfarmers.co.nz Ag ITO www.agito.ac.nz NZX Agri www.landyourdreamjob.co.nz
ARTS New Zealand School of Dance www.nzschoolofdance.ac.nz New Zealand School of Music www.nzsm.ac.nz NICAI www.creative.auckland.ac.nz Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design www.whitecliffe.ac.nz
Banks ASB www.asb.co.nz ANZ www.anz.co.nz BNZ www.bnz.co.nz Kiwibank www.kiwibank.co.nz TSB Bank www.tsbbank.co.nz Westpac www.westpac.co.nz
Career Guidance Careers Clinic www.careerclinic.co.nz Careers New Zealand www.careers.govt.nz First Careers www.firstcareers.co.nz Convergence Partners www.convergencepartners.co.nz
Corrections / Defence / Fire / Justice Department of Corrections www.corrections.govt.nz New Zealand Fire Service www.fire.org.nz New Zealand Police Recruitment www.newcops.co.nz Department of Defence www.defencecareers.mil.nz
Government Departments Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment www.mbie.govt.nz Ministry of Justice www.justice.govt.nz Ministry of Social Development www.msd.govt.nz Ministry of Science & Innovation www.msi.govt.nz Ministry of Health www.health.govt.nz Ministry of Education www.minedu.govt.nz ACC www.acc.co.nz Ministry of the Environment www.mfe.govt.nz Ministry of Primary Industries www.mpi.govt.nz Ministry of Transport www.transport.govt.nz Creative New Zealand www.creativenz.govt.nz Ministry for Culture and Heritage www.mch.govt.nz Employment Relations www.dol.govt.nz/er
Hair and Beauty
Employment
Hito (hairdressing) www.hito.org.nz Intueri Education Group www.intueri.co.nz Premier Hairdressing Academy www.hairdressing.org.nz Rodney Wayne New Zealand Ltd www.rodneywayne.co.nz Servilles Academy www.servilles.com/academy
Seek.co.nz www.seek.co.nz Student Job Search www.sjs.co.nz TradeMe www.trademe.co.nz
Industry Training OrganiSations
Education New Zealand School of Education www.nzse.ac.nz Educational Organisations www.nzqa.govt.nz
Engineering New Zealand Diploma in Engineering www.engineer.org.nz IPENZ www.ipenz.org.nz
AVIATION
Fashion - Design
Ardmore Flying School www.ardmore.co.nz Airways New Zealand www.airways.co.nz Air New Zealand Aviation Institute www.aviationinstitute.co.nz Aviation & Travel Training Group www.attg.co.nz CTC Aviation Training www.ctcaviation.com International Aviation Academy of New Zealand www.flighttraining.co.nz Massey University www.massey.ac.nz Nelson Aviation College www.nelson-aviation.co.nz
New Zealand Fashion Tech www.nzfashiontech.ac.nz Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design www.whitecliffe.ac.nz
Gap Year Horizons Unlimited www.gapyear.org.nz Lattitude www.lattitude.org.nz Outward Bound www.outwardbound.co.nz Projects Abroad www.projects-abroad.org Careers NZ www.careers.govt.nz
Apprenticeship Training Trust www.att.org.nz Boating ITO www.nzmarine.com Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation www.bcito.org.nz Careerforce www.careerforce.org.nz Connexis www.esito.org.nz ETCO www.etco.co.nz Funeral Services Training Trust www.fstt.org.nz Infrastructure ITO www.infrastructureito.org.nz Master Link www.masterlink.co.nz Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) www.mito.org.nz New Zealand Industry Training Organisation www.nzito.co.nz Pharmacy ITO www.pito.org.nz Primary ITO www.primaryito.ac.nz ServiceIQ www.serviceiq.org.nz
Skill Active www.skillsactive.org.nz The Skills Organisation www.skills.org.nz
Maori Education Te Wananga O Aotearoa www.twoa.ac.nz Te Wananga O Raukawa www.wananga.com
Mental Health Health Promotion Agency www.depression.org.nz Youthline www.youthline.co.nz
New Zealand Universities AUT University www.aut.ac.nz Lincoln University www.lincoln.ac.nz Massey University www.massey.ac.nz The University of Auckland www.auckland.ac.nz The University of Waikato www.waikato.ac.nz University of Canterbury www.canterbury.ac.nz University of Otago www.otago.ac.nz Victoria University of Wellington www.victoria.ac.nz
Personal Finance Commission for Financial Literacy & Retirement Income www.cflri.org.nz Kiwi Saver www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver The Kiwi guide to money www.sorted.co.nz
Physiotheraphy NZ College of Physiotherapy www.physiotherapy.org.nz AUT University www.aut.ac.nz
Polytechnics Aoraki Polytechnic www.aoraki.ac.nz Bay of Plenty Polytechnic www.boppoly.ac.nz Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology www.cpit.ac.nz Eastern Institute of Technology www.eit.ac.nz Manukau Institute of Technology www.manukau.ac.nz Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology www.nmit.ac.nz North Tec www.northtec.ac.nz Open Polytechnic www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz Otago Polytechnic www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz Southern Institute of Technology www.sit.ac.nz Tai Poutini Polytechnic www.tpp.ac.nz
UNITEC www.unitec.ac.nz Universal College of Learning (UCOL) www.ucol.ac.nz Waiariki Institute of Technology www.waiariki.ac.nz Waikato Institute of Technology www.wintec.ac.nz Wellington Institute of Technology www.weltec.ac.nz Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki www.witt.ac.nz Whitireia Community Polytechnic www.whitireia.ac.nz
PRIVATE TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS Academy Group (NZ) Limited www.academy.ac.nz Auckland Hotel & Chefs Training School www.ahcts.co.nz Cornell Institute of Business & Technology (CIBT) www.cornell.ac.nz Le Cordon Bleu www.lecordonbleu.co.nz The Culinary Institute www.qegroup.co.nz
Psychometric testing Shadow Consulting www.memyselfi.co.nz Extended DISC www.extendeddisc.co.nz People Central www.peoplecentral.co.nz
Scholarships Careers NZ www.careers.govt.nz Funding Information Service www.fis.org.nz Māori Education Trust www.maorieducation.org.nz Te Puni Kōkiri www.tpk.govt.nz/en Te Tapuae o Rēhua www.tetapuae.co.nz Kia Ora Hauora www.kiaorahauora.co.nz Universities New Zealand www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/scholarships
Science / Innovation Callaghan Innovation www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz Future InTech www.futureintech.org.nz Plant & Food Research www.plantandfood.co.nz Science New Zealand Inc. www.sciencenewzealand.org The New Zealand Institute of Food Science www.nzifst.org.nz
Student Loans / Grants Study Link www.studylink.govt.nz
Teaching Post Primary Teachers Association www.ppta.org.nz Teach First NZ www.teachfirstnz.org Teach NZ www.teachnz.govt.nz
OTHER WEBSITES OF INTEREST Computer Power Plus www.computerpowerplus.ac.nz Cromwell College www.cromwell.school.nz Downer www.downercareers.co.nz ESR www.esr.cri.nz GNS Science www.gns.cri.nz Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) www.icnz.org.nz Landcare Research www.landcareresearch.co.nz MAINZ www.mainz.ac.nz NIWA www.niwa.co.nz New Zealand School of Education (NZSE) www.nzse.ac.nz New Zealand School of Food & Wine www.foodandwine.co.nz New Zealand Society of Actuaries www.actuaries.org.nz New Zealand Tertiary College www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz New Zealand Institute of Agriculture & Horticultural Science Inc www.agscience.org.nz New Zealand Institute of Architechs Inc www.nzia.co.nz New Zealand Institute of Education www.nzie.ac.nz New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors www.surveyors.org.nz New Zealand Institute of Science and Technology (NZIST) www.nzist.ac.nz New Zealand Institute of Sport www.nzis.co.nz New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA) www.nzma.ac.nz NZ Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (Inc) www.nzimrt.co.nz Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS) www.pihms.ac.nz Professional Bar and Restaurant School (PBRS) www.pbrs.ac.nz Queenstown Resort College www.queenstownresortcollege.com Plant & Food Research www.plantandfood.co.nz Resene New Zealand www.resene.co.nz
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The status quo. The way it is. The same old, same old. Want to shake it up and be a changemaker? Then come and study at Massey University and claim your place in the new New Zealand. engine.ac.nz #MasseyIAm