My Education

Developing her career

After a slight detour and with encouragement from her boss, Marlene Herewini is halfway through her study towards a Bachelor of Career Development. She talks to Alana Bozoky.

PHOTO BY JORDAN ROELOFS

What drew you to study the Bachelor of Career Development (BCD) programme? I have been interested in career development since I had my first career planning session in 2001 with Career Services. I enrolled to complete a qualification in career development but sometimes life gives you a little detour, so it was in 2013 when a move to a new job working for a boss who walked, talked and encouraged the values of career development that I restarted my journey. My goal was to gain a tohu that would complement my existing New Zealand Diploma in Business (HR) and support my focus on career development.

You’re halfway through your study of the BCD; which course during the programme so far has been of most interest to you? I find that a lot of us are intimidated about the formality of research, so I was very hesitant going into this paper as a distance student, but the content was broken down in such a way that it felt like riding a bike. It wasn’t until you made it around the block that you realised, I’m really doing it!

How have you found the faceto-face sessions in Nelson? Being a distance student from the North Island, already working in the field of career development, I did question the need to travel to an orientation in Nelson … but it was definitely worth it! The networking is gold, I was fortunate to sit in with the final year students working through their research plans and was thoroughly motivated by their mahi, and the knowledge of our tutors. We are naturally people oriented so it just makes sense that we would gain so much from this experience, kanohi ki te kanohi.

The programme is mostly online. How have you found this? While working in the careers field I have been continuously impressed by the practicality of the assessments and how easily they can be incorporated into our current offerings, deliveries and face-to-face sessions with students. I am never left wondering … how does this relate to my practice? Resources are easy to locate, provided with good user support and information, and the layering of activities helps you build a comprehensive knowledge of their application.

How have you found the tutors on the programme? The tutors of this programme have been a real highlight for me, probably enhanced by my on-campus visit. They are knowledgeable, accessible, bicultural ambassadors who care deeply about career development, for our people now and into the future.

Your current role at Toi-Ohomai is a Careers and Employability Facilitator. As you are halfway through the BCD has your learning so far helped in this role? If yes, how? With the changes happening in the tertiary sector it feels good to know that the knowledge, skills and development I am gaining now really will take me into the future with confidence, and that it continues to encourage my ‘life-long love of learning’. As ‘careers people’ we really need to be able to walk our talk and this qualification has really re-enforced that principle for me in a fun, challenging and exciting way.

How have you found working and studying? The commitment is real! You do need to put in the time, do your readings and read for value. Working full-time in the field and then studying part-time could feel a little overwhelming, but it just seemed to strengthen my practice and motivate me to keep doing better for those I serve.