Issue 3Proudly partnering with www.schoolconnect.co.nz

A must read for

Students, Parents and

Teachers!

I AM A FREETHINKERI AM THE NEW NEW ZEALAND

TRACTA53821-NS-FT

Elevating your thinking. Looking at the

big picture. If the freedom to explore your true potential

excites you, then come and study at Massey University and claim your

place in the new New Zealand.engine.ac.nz/apply

NextStep//ISSUE 32

Interested in being in the next issue of this magazine ? Contact us!For any editorial, advertising or general queries you may have regarding Next step Magazine please get in touch.

Maddy Gwynne09 307 7858maddyg@greendoordesign.co.nzwww.greendoordesign.co.nz

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From the Next Step TeamWith two successful editions under our belt, Next step is back for our third edition and we believe it’s better than ever!

Various experts, including Careers New Zealand, have come on board to bring another layer of expertise to Next step May 2015 edition.

At Next step, we understand that parents, teachers and careers counsellors play a large role in planning children’s futures. With this in mind we have made sure that this edition provides key advice and relevant statistics to help educate not only students, but also these key influencers on how to tackle their students’ next steps.

Once again we have partnered with schoolConnect to provide a resource that offers students and their influencers up-to-date and relevant information on the various career and study options available to school leavers today.

We really appreciate the high volume of feedback we receive for each issue. If you have any comments you would like to make please do not hesitate to get in touch.

PublIsher: Green Door DesigneDItOr: Maddy GwynneCreAtIVe DIreCtOr AND DesIGNer: Magdalena stanuch sChOOlCONNeCt CONtrIbutOrs: tim Watts and robert MilneCOPyWrIters: sarah Pearce, Miah Dixon and tarannum shaikh

Next step© 2015. Published by Green Door Design limited.No part of this publication may be replicated, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, internet, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.Green Door Design limited has put measures in place to ensure the exactness of the information in this publication; however, they accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or subsequent consequences. the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the editor, publisher, Green Door Design limited and its related parties.

20ContentsAchieving Clarity of Purpose - Rob and Tim 4

Find your Next step with schoolConnect 5

Victoria student Fights for her Passion - Victoria University 7

the Perfect Work/life balance - Deloitte 8

Connecting you to your Future through schoolConnect 10

Investing in a Career with bNZ - BNZ 12

team Profile - Mainfreight 13

take off to your Dream Job - Air New Zealand Aviation Institute

14

A Career to Grow In - Kiwi Fruit Growers 15

tips to Finding your Path 16

studying Design a rewarding experience - Massey University 19

Make your health Career go hi-tech - Careers New Zealand 20

build a City on more than rock and roll - Careers New Zealand 21

scholar Profile - Russell McVeagh 22

Accounting for Change - Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand 23

short on time - Talentsolutions 24

Make a Difference in your Career - Teach First NZ 29

Manufacturing the Future - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare 30

0800 - Kickstart your Call Centre Career - Careers New Zealand 31

Change lives around the World everyday - New Zealand College of Chiropractic 32

Making the Numbers Count - BDO 33

Fashioning yourself an International Career - Southern Institute of Technology 35

schoolConnect Careers Week 36

Get real with realMe ID - RealMe 37

Pursuing Potential - Pinnacle Programme 38

the Next step Checklist 39

spotlight on the ICt sector 40

thinking Careers? think It - ThinkConcepts 41

big Fish in a big Pond! - AttractHQ 42

NZ Fashion tech 44

Aspiring to Inspire - OOMPHER 45

A Degree of urban Mythology? - let’s hear it for the bA - Massey University 46

3Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Achieving clarity of purpose Rob and Tim:

Name Tim Watts

School Cambridge High School

TerTiary educaTioN Victoria University of Wellington, Bachelor of Commerce and Administration & Bachelor of Laws

Name Robert Milne

School Palmerston North Boys’ High School

TerTiary educaTioN Victoria University of Wellington, Bachelor of Commerce and Administration & Bachelor of Science

Employers need to be asking themselves “Are we doing all that we can to make the transition from study to employment easy as possible?” and “Do we have opportunities for young people to join our organisation?” This isn’t just aimed at larger corporate employers; it is a call to everyone from small local business to central government. There is still much to be learnt if we are to tackle the issue of youth unemployment, but a move forward will only be achieved through constructive practices, and acceptance of youth as a key part of the ever-growing workforce.

The 2015 issues of NextStep are just as much for the key influencers of students (parents, teachers, careers advisors and teachers) as they are for the students themselves. It is hoped these influencers will gain a better understanding of the youth market better by reading this publication.

We hope this publication will be catalyst for starting career conversations with young New Zealanders. Whilst NextStep is limited in the information that can fit between the covers, we hope that your conversations can continue on through the SchoolConnect website.

A career is a journey no matter what age you are. However, getting the right start is very important. What we hope is that we are making the process a little bit easier.

Until next time, good luck and go well.

Tim and Rob

When the time came for us to leave high school, neither of us was prepared for the path that lay ahead. Our first experiences of full-time employment began with accounting firms, however it was a burning desire to do something different that brought us into business.

The past six years have been a key part of our collective journeys – first was the founding of GradConnection NZ and SchoolConnect, and more recently TalentSolutions and NextStep magazine. On the way, our philosophy has remained the same: to develop products and services to help all of New Zealand’s youth make informed career and continued education decisions in order to gain meaningful employment.

For as long as we have been involved with youth employment it has always been our belief that New Zealand needs a shift in mentality regarding people as an exciting and valuable workforce. Rates of unemployed 16 to 24 year-olds are at an already unacceptable level, meaning what is currently a burden could soon become a true threat to our workforce, and our economy.

The dilemma facing today’s school-leavers is not one shared by their parents. The way young people are presented with careers options, and the pressure they receive to adopt certain mindsets is moulding the way students start their journeys, rather than letting them pave their own way.

The previous generation’s experience of careers was seemingly simpler; those students who went on to tertiary study did so to enhance their academic expertise. Those more interested in practical work would go on to find apprenticeships and entry-level jobs in a chosen field.

We are seeing a shift in how young people are choosing whether they attend a tertiary institute, or continue into work. There is a need for a greater understanding of how our education system introduces and encourages youth to keep their minds open to new opportunity. Furthermore, communities need to be responsible for breaking down stigma and negativity associated with both tertiary study or going straight into work.

There is a huge volume of young people ready to move into full-time employment. However, too often there are few opportunities with organisations other than the typical “student job” employer. Other than the commercial benefits of hiring a young person, there is a need for employers to be fostering youth through their businesses.

NextStep//ISSUE 34 Follow SchoolConnect on

Next Step

Flip through NextStep and see what grabs your attention.

If nothing catches your eye, don’t panic. Check out www.schoolconnect.co.nz and take our Careers Quiz to find out some

of the different career options to suit your skills, interests and experience.

Wondering what step to take next towards your dream career? Find that step with SchoolConnect

Study If you’re thinking of continuing your study after school, the study section of schoolConnect is for you.

Find out what you need to do to continue studying your favourite subjects. Check out different tertiary institutes and see which offers the best programme for you. you can choose an institute by location, course offerings and best fit.

study doesn’t have to end with a student loan. schoolConnect has made sure to include everything you need to know about the hundreds of scholarships on offer.

Figuring out what you’re going to do once you’ve finished school can be overwhelming. It can carry major financial and time commitments, however, its not as scary as you think. Knowing your options will help.

schoolConnect can help you figure out your study or career pathway with information on scholarships, tertiary offerings, career entry pathways and employment.

With a range of resources including forums, liveChat sessions, testimonials and quizzes, there is something for everyone.

Know your dream job but not sure how to get there? Perhaps you know what you enjoy and want to make a career out of it. the Careers section of schoolConnect provides valuable information about hundreds of different roles, the qualifications and experience needed to get there, as well as entry pathways to each job. there are even testimonials from people who have successfully made it in each field. Just the thing you’ll need to help you set your goals.

Careers

tertiary study isn’t for everyone and schoolConnect understands this. there is a range of jobs out there for school-leavers, but finding them can be the hard part. schoolConnect has its very own job board, with job vacancies specifically for young people. Whether you’re looking for part-time or full-time work, to go into an internship or a cadetship – schoolConnect is the place to discover what’s on offer.

Jobs

the website is separated up into three areas:

Study Careers Jobs

5Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

SR03

66A

Know your

passion

Study what you love.

Explore our courses to find

your future at Victoria.

victoria.ac.nz | 0800 VICTORIA (842 867)6

Victoria student fights for her passion

you can discover what other students say about Victoria and student life at victoria.ac.nz/our-students

Akane Sandom has been passionate about children’s rights for as long as she can remember. From a young girl watching charity appeals on television to her role today with UNICEF’s youth programme, Akane’s decisions have always been shaped by her passions.

Akane is studying Development Studies and Law at Victoria University of Wellington. When Akane was coming to the end of her time at secondary school she thought carefully about where she wanted to be and what she might like to do according to her interests and ambitions. She talked through these aspirations with her careers adviser who then helped her choose the university and subjects that would get her closer to realising her dream and making a difference.

“I always felt Development Studies would be useful for learning about countries where children don’t have the best situations. Victoria is the only university in New Zealand that offers the subject at an undergraduate level.”

Akane also realised that an understanding of legal systems was a powerful tool when it came to making direct changes for children on an individual and global scale.

“Another reason I chose Victoria was the reputation of Victoria’s Law School.”

Now in her fourth year of study, Akane has also had the opportunity to get more of an international perspective thanks to a trip she was selected to go on through the Japanese Government.

“We went to Japan for nine days to see the consequences that rumours of radiation had on their economy and culture. It was really quite emotional as we met a lot of people whose lives were directly affected.”

Akane was previously a youth ambassador for UNICEF. Currently she is enjoying a role in UNICEF’s youth programme. This has given her the opportunity to round out her studies with practical experience.

“In my role with UNICEF there’s a big focus on children’s rights and children’s wellbeing. My study of children’s rights at Victoria is really applicable to everything I’m doing in the youth programme.”

Akane believes she is a different student today in the way that she tries to relate her material and the content she is learning to something personal.

“I think if you make it personal, whatever you’re studying becomes a lot more interesting and you can really get into it. I’ve changed because I believe in myself and know that I’m capable of doing a lot more.”

“‘I think if you make it personal,

whatever you’re studying becomes a lot more interesting and you

can really get into it. I’ve changed because I believe in myself and

know that I’m capable of doing a lot more.’ AkAne SAndoM

Victoria’s Development Studies programme is the first major of its kind in New Zealand. It enables

students like Akane to study something that can be applied to real world situations and truly make a

difference. Paired with a Bachelor of Law, Akane’s studies at Victoria University of Wellington make for

what she hopes to be a world-changing degree.

Law

7Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

We asked Olivia some questionsWhy did you choose accounting? What sparked your interest in numbers?At high school, accounting was a subject that clicked with me. I would get so much satisfaction from preparing a set of accounts and completing a balance sheet that was actually balanced. I was also lucky enough to have an awesome accounting teacher. Deciding that accounting would be the anchor of my bachelors degree was a decision driven by the old saying, “if you pursue a career you love, you’ll never work a day in your life!”. I balanced out my degree with marketing, and clothing and textile science for something a bit more creative.

The Perfect Work/Life Balance

How have you found your time at Deloitte so far and how does it fit in with your overall career goals? I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Deloitte so far. I love being a part of a large network of people pursuing similar career goals and working alongside some of the most highly skilled professionals in the industry. I also knew that joining Deloitte would provide me with a solid foundation for my career in accounting.

As a graduate, I was part of an intake of 140 fresh-faced accountants, many of whom I now consider good friends. I can also advocate that they are not your stereotypical boring accountants! the longer I am a part of this firm the more I realise that the boring accountant stereotype is just a myth. however, I do find it satisfying when people tell me, “you are far too interesting to be a tax consultant.”

What makes Deloitte a great place to work? Why do you enjoy getting up and coming to the office every morning? there is such a diverse mix of personalities at Deloitte, which means that every day in the firm is different. the average day can consist of lively banter between consultants and partners, sport sweepstakes (or more recently ‘the bachelor’ sweepstakes), stuff quiz championships - you name it, we have it. Of course all of this fun runs in the background to a busy day at the office. I think this highlights that the people at Deloitte are well-rounded and embrace a work hard, play hard attitude.

there is also a wide variety of events to get involved with, both inside and outside of work. the Deloitte social calendar for the past year in the Wellington office has featured half marathons, quiz nights, dragon boating, a hypnotist comedy show and the annual firm-wide ball, just to name a few.

What makes you passionate about what you do? What skills do you think you need to succeed in your role? Working in tax allows me to apply both my accounting and problem solving skills, having been involved in both tax compliance and consulting work. Also, as tax law is constantly changing there is always something new to learn, and clients continuously come up with new and unexplored questions.

As a junior consultant at Deloitte, I get to work with a wide range of clients. As each client has unique needs, the variety of work available allows you to identify areas or industries you are particularly interested in and would like to pursue.

Olivia thomson gave us the low down on what it’s like to be part of the team at Deloitte in Wellington. We get a bit of an insight into how she, and those she works with, are breaking the ‘boring accountant’ stereotype in a lively, social office where she finds the perfect balance of work and play.

www.twitter.com/deloittegradsnz www.facebook.com/deloittegradsnz www.instagram.com/deloittegradsnz

Name Olivia Thomson

deloiTTe office Wellington

TerTiary educaTioN University of Otago

degree Bachelor of Commence majoring in Accounting, minoring in Marketing and Clothing and Textiles Science

high School Sacred Heart Girls’’College, New Plymouth

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NextStep//ISSUE 38 Follow SchoolConnect on

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having a positive attitude and desire to grow are really important attributes for success in any job. Communication and teamwork skills are also vital.

What specific skills have you learnt in your job and about yourself while being a Deloitte graduate?the past year as a graduate has been a constant learning curve. In my time at Deloitte so far I have learnt everything from the ins and outs of complex tax laws, to the most efficient way to un-jam a printer, and even irrelevant facts about cats.

Deloitte offers a wide variety of training and personal development sessions, which help build a solid foundation for any graduate launching their career. I have found that every interaction you have at work is an opportunity to learn and it is up to you to make the most of the guidance and resources offered. In addition, there are a number of great mentoring initiatives to keep you on track.

What are your passions outside of Deloitte?I love to cook and bake. It is a great excuse to invite friends and family over to catch up. I also continue to pursue my interest in clothing and textiles by regularly making dresses and skirts for myself.

Keeping fit is also important to me. Over the summer I get out running and over the winter I avoid the Wellington weather by heading to a gym class at les Mills. Watching sport is another interest of mine, so I will often go along to netball and rugby games, occasionally scoring tickets to the Deloitte corporate box (another perk of the job!).

I’m always up to try something new. recently, I’ve tried my hand at golf and toastmasters.

How would you describe a summer intern or graduate career opportunity with Deloitte to someone considering pursuing accounting?For anyone considering a career in a professional services firm or accountancy, I would recommend applying for a summer internship. Not only does it give you a taste of the work involved with your chosen service line, it gives you a chance to experience the company culture.

When I look back on my year as a graduate, I can honestly say that I have grown immensely, both in my career and personally, and I am grateful that Deloitte has provided the environment to do so.

“If you pursue

the career you

love, you’ll never

work a day in your life...”

“

“

Olivia’s motto in life

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9Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Connecting you with your future Career

A Step-by-Step guide

Robbie is half way through Year 12 and is trying to decide what he might do once he’s finished high school.

He loves TV shows like NCIS and CSI and crime novels.

He is fascinated by the motives and characterisations of the criminals on the show and in the novels and because of this he thinks he might like to study criminal behaviour.

Robbie hears about SchoolConnect through his careers counsellor and decides to have a look and see what the site has to offer.

Step 1: CareerSrobbie begins by going to the ‘Careers’ section of schoolConnect.

he clicks the ‘Law and Government’ box since this seems to relate best to what he’s looking for.

scrolling through the career options related to law and Government, the heading ‘Criminologist’ grabs his attention.

this seems to align with his interests. robbie gets an overview of what it means to be a criminologist by clicking the ‘Learn More’ tab on the left hand column. Clicking the ‘entry Pathway’ tab on that left column he sees that he has to study ‘Criminology’ at university.

Step 2: Studyrobbie clicks into ‘Criminology’ in the ‘Study’ section of the website. here he can read all about what it would mean to study criminology.

On the right hand side he can find his study requirements, allowing him to ensure that he picks the right classes in year 13 to set him up for his university study.

he now needs to find somewhere that offers this course. Clicking the ‘Where To Study’ tab, robbie finds he has the option of three different institutes. he also finds the name of the degree that this study option is offered under. he clicks into each of these institutes and explores the course websites; looking to see which university options best align with his interests.

under the study tab, robbie notices a link to ‘Scholarships’. he has heard that course costs can be pretty steep, so is very interested in getting some help towards his course fees. Clicking on the link, robbie sees a list of all the available scholarships he can apply for.

Step 3: JobSWith a year and a half until robbie can start his course, robbie decides that it would be a good idea to work over summer so that he can start saving and gain some experience that will look good on his CV.

robbie clicks into the ‘Jobs’ section to view the schoolConnect job board, specifically designed for school-leavers.

A lot of jobs capture his interest. he can imagine himself doing well at many of them. looking at possible jobs, he realises there is so much out there for him! this is both exciting and overwhelming.

to get some guidance on whether criminology would be right for him, and to see what other options align with his interests he takes the schoolConnect ‘Careers Quiz.’

seeing that his options are varied with his particular interests and skillsets, he decides to head over to the discussion forum to view previous discussions and ask his own questions for some guidance from people who are experts in their fields.

his opportunities seem limitless. robbie is so pleased he found schoolconnect.co.nz.

NextStep//ISSUE 310 Follow SchoolConnect on

Study that works

Call us on 0800 WELTEC or visit weltec.ac.nz

If you decide you want to do more study, you want to have the confidence that it will lead to something meaningful. Like a good job.

WelTec works hard to ensure you get the skills you need for the career you want. Our courses are designed in partnership with employers. Making sure what you learn is relevant for the real world.

We offer a hands-on learning environment. You learn real skills by doing the doing.

Real skills. Right here

#righthere WelTec and Whitireia are proud partners in The Choice Protocol, a partnership that delivers more to students.

Enrol nowfor July 2015

There are over 150 study options at WelTec. Choices include business, community, construction, creative, engineering, hospitality, social services and technology.

Study in Wellington. Study at WelTec.

Or choose the Bachelor of Youth Development, New Zealand’s only youth work degree. Available in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Do something new. Enrol now and start learning in July.

evotia-rose went to school at Wellington Girls College, a school that made it possible for her to excel at anything she chose, whether it was academic, sports related or extra-curricular. like most young people, she didn’t really have a clear idea of what career path she would take, so she kept her options open and stuck to generic topics like english, Maths and a couple others that interested her. evotia-rose grew up in a big, culturally diverse family, and that’s where she said she found her passion for people, culture and education. When she was in year thirteen, it was time to decide what her next move should be, so evotia-rose got serious about matching what she loved to do, with what she was really good at.

looking at the university courses available, she realised that human resources would be a great option for her. Moving on to tertiary study was an easy decision for evotia-rose because she really valued education and the opportunities she knew it would provide. her parents, grandmother and uncle were particularly supportive – the whole family wanted her to be the best that she could be, whatever that looked like. they encouraged her to pursue her academic ventures as far as she could – whether that was a degree, a diploma or a certificate – because they knew it would unlock a whole range of employment opportunities.

When she graduated, evotia-rose looked for a job in human resources that would let her put everything she’d learned at university into practice and expose her to lots of different hr challenges. Working at a bank hadn’t ever occurred to her, mainly because she didn’t know much about how banks work or the different roles available. ”It wasn’t until I applied for a graduate hr position that I learnt that there’s more to the bank than just the tellers you see out front. the bank is one of the oldest institutions with so many working, moving parts in the background. Working in the bank gave me the opportunity to learn about this massive industry and better understand the role they play in how economies work.”

the culture at bNZ was the first thing that attracted evotia-rose to the company and it’s the thing that still makes her proud to work there. bNZ strives to be the bank for New Zealand by helping kiwis be good with money. It puts its goals into action with community initiatives like ‘Closed for Good’, financial literacy programmes and low interest/ interest free loans in partnership with the Good shepherd, the salvation Army and the New Zealand Government.

Going into the job initially, evotia-rose had no experience of the corporate environment and little knowledge of what her role would be like. this taught her a valuable lesson that she believes everyone in new roles should remember: “you don’t have to have all of the answers right away”. When you get that first foot in the door like evotia-rose did, you’re more than likely going to need to grow and learn as you go. “As long as you’re proactive about your learning and show initiative when it comes to asking for help, you will be fine.”

It’s been made a bit easier for evotia-rose because she has amazing support from her team at bNZ where everyone is willing to help wherever they can. “everyone at bNZ is accessible and approachable, even the CeO! I am constantly learning in this ever-changing environment – in fact, bNZ is changing so fast and so much, it will need creative and courageous young people to come up with innovative solutions to challenges we haven’t even thought of yet”.

Evotia-Rose Araiti is an HR Consultant at BNZ. She’s made it to where she is today by knowing what her passions and strengths are, and matching those to the right role in a great company.

Name Evotia-Rose Araiti

high School Wellington Girls’ College

TerTiary educaTioN Victoria University of Wellington, Bachelor of Commerce

Investing in a career with BNZ

‘BNZ is changing so fast and so much, it will need creative and courageous young people to come up with innovative solutions to challenges we haven’t even thought of yet.’

Peo

Ple

NextStep//ISSUE 312 Follow SchoolConnect on

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13

Embark on your journey to a great career with the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute.Air New Zealand’s Aviation Institute gave Preetinder Kaur the skills and confidence she needed to launch her career as an Airline Assistant at Auckland Domestic Airport.

Preetinder tells us about her role and how she got therethe hours of my job suit me well. I work three days of early shifts, three days of late shifts followed by three days off. While on shift, I am always moving around doing different tasks. I could be caring for people who need special handling, checking in passengers for their flight, handling baggage issues or boarding flights at the gate – all in just one shift.

the people I work with and meet everyday make this job very enjoyable. When I started I didn’t know a lot, but my team members were always there to help me. I never get bored as there are always passengers who need my assistance and it’s great to be helpful and needed.

the Air New Zealand Airline Customer service Course helped me to achieve the goals I set myself before joining. I learnt everything from identifying hazards, to shift work; learning to work as part of a team and developing my customer service skills. Going into the interview process I felt confident and well prepared. the Customer service Course really complemented the Airline Assistant Course as I found they linked up well.

the aviation industry is one with countless opportunities. the knowledge you gain at the Aviation Institute can be utilised globally, making this industry a true world of opportunity. I personally hope to move up to a role as a load controller soon.

I am proud to be a member of the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute and any new student will be too. take on board whatever you are learning as one day you will use it and think to yourself ‘I learnt this at the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute.’

For a career in AVIATIONAir New Zealand’s Aviation Institute provides the leading edge in NZQA approved training programmes for people interested in aviation roles.

Flight Attendant – School of ServiceDreamed of becoming a flight attendant or working at the airport? The Certificate in Airline Customer Service provides a solid foundation of knowledge and will develop your customer service skills required for a role in this exciting and fast-paced industry.Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – School of EngineeringAircraft are safe because of precision engineering. Let us train you to become a precision aircraft engineer! The National Certificate in Aeronautical Engineering provides an advanced introduction to all modern aircraft systems and related maintenance practices. With a mixture of practical and theory, mechanical and avionics, graduates can choose to seek further training or an apprenticeship.Pilot – School of FlightDo you dream of being an airline pilot? Enrol in the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute Pilot Training Programme and become an Air New Zealand Preferred Pilot. The programme is delivered by the Institute’s five FTO Partners and Air New Zealand including a unique integration course designed and delivered by airline pilots using Air New Zealand simulators. Students graduate with a BAv or DipAv.

For more information www.aviationinstitute.co.nz

engineeringschool of school of

flightschool ofserviceStudent loans available for all programmes.

Take off to your dream job!

Preetinder Kaur

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Preetinder Kaur

With 80% of kiwifruit growers aged over 50 there is a growing need for a new crop of horticultural workers. For dedicated young people, this means plenty of opportunities to rise up through the industry.If you enjoy working outdoors, have good people skills and feel like you would enjoy the satisfaction of what you’ve accomplished season to season, then it’s the perfect industry to get involved in.

trevelyan’s Pack and Cool Company is based in te Puke where Kiwifruit is packed and distributed. Cody is the Grower services representative. his job is to look after a client base of about 50 clients, visiting them regularly at their orchards, giving them advice on how to get the best crop possible and keeping everyone up-to-date with relevant industry news.

throughout his time at tauranga boys’ College, Cody worked part-time in pack houses after school. It quickly became clear to him that he wanted to work straight out of high school. he loved being outdoors and didn’t want an office job.

After finishing year 13 Cody went to work in a private pack house in te Puna before going to work on an orchard which eventually lead to a cadetship; an apprenticeship in the horticulture industry.

Cody likes that this industry is never short of a challenge. he enjoys working with clients to get the best possible result and finds time management and people management are essential skills in this role.

trevelyan’s is a family owned business on a single site. the family-oriented culture and the way employees are treated is what Cody loves most about the company.

the variety of people involved in all areas of horticulture makes for a fun and exciting industry to be a part of.

In his role as a senior Orchard Manager, simon is responsible for all on-site operations and is accountable for the orchard’s productivity.

simon discovered his passion for horticulture early on, drawing interest from his family who were also involved in the industry. Deciding to turn that interest into a career lead simon to study a level four horticulture course at unitec in Auckland before going on to study a level five diploma in horticulture at lincoln university.

the horticulture industry is predominantly a practical one, with most learning done on the job. however, simon finds that having the theoretical knowledge behind him helps him to make more sense of what’s going on and gives him a good grounding when making decisions.

simon loves that his job is constantly giving him the satisfaction of seeing return for all of his hard work. the industry is an ever-changing one from season to season and year to year. this keeps things interesting, giving him a large range of situations and challenges to work with. simon is constantly interacting with people that are truly passionate about what they do. this makes his job easier and more enjoyable but also means that communication and people management are important skills in his role. learning to react and make decisions under pressure, good problem solving skills and time management are also essential to any horticulture role.

For anyone interested in working in horticulture, simon recommends gaining practical work experience where possible and talking to those already in the industry to build networks and learn from their experience.

Name Simon Bowker age 28

PoSiTioN Senior Orchard Manager EHC Orchard Management Te Puke

QualificaTioNS Unitec Auckland Certif icate in Horticulture, Lincoln University Diploma in Horticulture and BOP Polytechnic Fruit Production for prof it

high School Otumoetai College

Name Cody Bent age 27

PoSiTioN Kiwifruit Grower Liaison at Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool LTD Te Puke

QualificaTioNS BOP Polytechnic National Certif icate Level 4 Fruit Production. Lincoln University, Diploma in Horticulture (Currently still studying)

high School Tauranga Boys’ College

A career to grow in

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www.nzkgi.org.nz/careers

15Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

How can someone decide whether to study more or go straight into the workforce?

the first thing you need to consider is, in what direction do you want to go? having something in mind and knowing what it will take to get there is important.

some career paths will require tertiary study, however for industries such as the practical trades, on-site training or an apprenticeship may be all you need. some tertiary institutes offer introductory or certificate programmes that give an overview and foundation skills in a particular industry or job that will help you experience this career path and help you decide if it’s for you. Many of these programmes are also designed to link to further learning opportunities.

to get a good idea of what to expect, talk to people who work in the area that interests you. Ask employers what they look for in employees and what kind of qualifications or skills would set you apart.

remember that study isn’t the only way to learn, and that for some people the chance to travel before settling into study or work is an opportunity to develop a whole new set of skills through a unique experience.

What is the best way to pinpoint what someone’s key strengths are? How can you translate this into getting a job?

use your experiences both in and out of school or guidance in figuring out your strengths. Ask yourself some questions about these experiences: ‘What do I enjoy doing?’, ‘When do I get good feedback?’, ‘When have I felt a sense of accomplishment?’

try pulling out the different skills you use in these situations and break them down into smaller components to identify each little aspect that you like, don’t like or excel at. Never downplay your strengths or accomplishments.

Once you’ve done this, translate it into work. What is required in this job? Match the job requirements with the skills you have identified within yourself. think about how you could develop skills that might be missing.

What do you think are the most important skills a school leaver should possess for employment?

When we talk about skills there are two different types: hard skills and soft skills (or employability skills).

hard skills are the things that someone knows how to do. these are the technical and practical hands-on skills you possess such as the ability to cut hair or work a computer programme.

soft skills are more about how you work. these include your attitude towards your work, your communication and people skills. soft skills create the foundation for how you approach work and interact with people. these soft, or employability skills, are in the top ten skills employers are looking for and can set you apart from others.

these skills can be developed in areas you are already involved in such as in sports teams, community groups, church, cultural groups, volunteer or part-time work. even just day-to-day family life and the way you relate to each other at home is a great opportunity to develop and practise these skills.

It is easy to get wound up in what you can gain credits for, but don’t neglect things that will also help you shine as a person in the workforce – showing willingness to learn, being cooperative and productive.

The most important soft skills include:• A positive, can-do attitude

• Communication skills: be polite, approachable and really hear people’s thoughts and opinions. be able to express yourself verbally and on paper

• Teamwork and the ability to work with others towards a common goal.

Check out www.careers.govt.nz for more info.

to finding

your pathSchoolConnect was lucky enough to chat to Brigette from Careers New Zealand, who gave us invaluable advice on what it takes to make the right first steps towards your dream career. According to Brigette no two paths are the same. Finding your direction is about piecing together your strengths and passions and acquiring the right skills.

Go to SchoolConnect

TIPS

Soft Skills

NextStep//ISSUE 316 Follow SchoolConnect on

INS aNd OUtS: How to approach industry experts for advice

Do you suggest students approach employers directly? If so, as a student, what are the best ways to go about this?

hitting the streets and cold calling is one way of asking for a job. however it’s not always the most effective way to find a job and you run the risk of putting people on the back foot. It can also be very disheartening and you may not end up with the information you need about how to get into the job that interests you.

It is helpful to draw on pre-existing networks through family, friends, or the school careers advisor to get a foot up or useful information about an industry. talking to someone from within the industry can help you forge the right networks.

When you finally make your approach it is important that you are organised and know what it is you want to know so writing a list of questions is a good start. this can impress employers. remember, you’re always on show.

you may feel anxious about approaching people you don’t know and fear getting rejected. People might say ‘I don’t have time right now.’ remember, this is not personal and just means that they are too busy right now. Perhaps find out when would suit them better or if they can recommend someone else you can talk to.

a GUIde tO SUppOrtING:

Careers for parents How can parents equip their children with the right life-skills for leaving home or beginning work?Getting a first job can be a daunting experience. be encouraging and supportive. encourage activities that support and develop self-confidence, responsibility, a positive ‘can-do’ attitude and good communication skills. Keep an eye open for and encourage participation in opportunities that arise. Part time work (including community and volunteer work) helps build understanding of workplace expectations.

help them to write a CV, acknowledge their strengths and what skills they can offer to an employer. share your own work story and show them your CV. having an optimistic outlook and willingness to learn can make all the difference in attaining, and retaining a first job. therefore encourage your child to adopt this attitude towards work.

use opportunities such as co-curricular involvement or cultural and sports groups as a means of developing their employability skills.

When is the best time to initiate the “careers conversation” with a child? Children are often well aware of the world of work by age 12. At this age, conversations and observations should be focused on what interests the child has and developing the abilities related to this interest.

If your child is in high school, focus on their interests and match these with similar job roles and industries. help them see the connection between their skills and what they enjoy doing and learning about and the world of work. think about which school subjects will help them reach their goals. talking to the careers advisor or teachers at school is also a good thing to do. they may have additional resources and information about useful school based or other programmes such as Gateway or work experience programmes. Family and family friends can be of great use to explore different work experiences and gain insight in to what opportunities are out there.

Can you offer any tips for parents wanting to help their child plan for their future? explore a range of opportunities and experiences with your child. today’s youth are being trained for roles that may not even exist yet, so focus attention on building skills and developing areas of interest and explore options.

to get a better understanding of what opportunities and experiences exist in today’s market, visit careers.govt.nz. Careers New Zealand list over 400 job descriptions, broken down into industries. this enables you to search based on skills and interests and discover a range of potential jobs that fit with these.

remember that further study isn’t for everyone. therefore taking advantage of work placement opportunities and Gateway programmes can be the key to gaining work experience.

there is no deadline as such for making career decisions. however, making time to explore different options and encouraging your child to consider their career journey means you’re preparing them to leave high school with an idea of their next step.

TIps & TricksExpert

TIps & TricksParents

Meet Brigette Shutkowski from Careers New Zealand

17Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

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18

Studying Design

a Rewarding Experience

As a self-described free thinker, Britt McLeod is in her element studying

Visual Communication Design at Massey University’s College of Creative Arts.

third year student, britt Mclead says the combination of graphic design, digital media, advertising design and illustration, in one environment, is a perfect fit for her freeform style of thinking.

“My brain works at 100 miles per hour and that’s helpful in VCD as you have to be very open to new concepts and thoughts... For example, if you’re working with an illustrator and you can’t draw to save yourself you have to be very flexible, working together but using your different strengths, and that’s what I like about it.

“No matter if you doing fashion design or photography it’s always the visual image that people see straight away.”

she would like people to see the importance and relevance of one particular aspect of her studies - experience design.

this is where she focuses on designing user friendly, high quality services, to enhance her client’s experience.

“It’s about making more of a connection with people and designing for that, rather than just trying to sell a product,” britt says.

For example, at a New Zealand Post shop, consideration is given to the spatial qualities of the entrance, what promotional material customers will see as they queue; and the layout of the building. All of which is to enhance the overall user experience.

“We psycho-analyse the users and dig into who they are and what they want and need, I always found that stuff so interesting.”

britt’s own enjoyment of her studies is also something she feels should be communicated to prospective students.

“For me it’s about helping other people find where they want to be, such as a place like Massey, and helping those people get here.”

www.massey.ac.nz

Des

ign

19Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Taking photos, handling radiation and fixing equipment - all jobs you can do for the sake of keeping people healthy. A job in health technology is varied, exciting and rewarding. We spoke to various health professionals who gave us a heads up on two careers in health technology.

SNAPSHOT OF THE HEALTH INDUSTRy

Make your health career go hi-tech

Nuclear medicine technologist: Chris Burkhill

Nuclear medicine sounds dangerous - what’s the main part of your job? the role is primarily collecting information on an aspect of a patient’s disease for their doctor by using radioactive substances called ‘tracers’. these substances are then photographed and measured by gamma cameras.

What do you need to do to get into a role like this?to start out as a nuclear medicine technologist (medical radiation technologist) you need a bachelor of Medical radiation technology with clinical work experience.

What is your favourite part of the job? Meeting all kinds of interesting people under unusual circumstances, and creating a relaxed environment to ease the stress people often feel when in hospital. Also taking pictures of radioactive stuff that you’ve injected into someone is always interesting.

What do you need to be good at in your role?remembering details about everything, from chemistry, computing, physics and physiology.

you need steady hands for lab work and giving patients injections. Good planning is essential as radioactive drugs decay with time.

Anaesthetic technician What is it like to study? the great thing about becoming an anaesthetic technician is that you get to study towards your Diploma in Applied science (Anaesthetic technology) and work in the industry at the same time. Generally you do an 8-hour day and then go home to study, but you’re still getting paid.

What do you do on a day-to-day basis? technicians help the anaesthetist during surgery. they monitor patients, wake them up and check and prepare equipment. you need to be careful, accurate and able to think on your feet.

Be honest - what is the job really like?

It’s not a boring job that’s for sure – you have lots of variety but have to think fast and be able to react quickly. helping people get well again is a big plus. the hardest part of the job is the shift work, as you might have to work eight days straight before you get a break.

What kind of person would succeed in this job? If you are fit and healthy, have a good eye for detail and can keep calm under pressure then this could be a role for you. If you are squeamish, think again.

Anaesthetic technician: gain a position as a trainee anaesthetic technician at a recognised training hospital

complete a Diploma in Applied science (Anaesthetic technology) or a Graduate Diploma in Applied science (Anaesthetic technology)

sit and pass an anaesthetic technician registration examination

be registered by the Medical sciences Council of New Zealand

hold an Annual Practising Certificate.

Nuclear medicine technologist or Medical radiation technologist:

complete a bachelor’s degree in medical radiation technology, which includes work in a clinical setting

be registered with the NZ Medical radiation technologists board

hold an Annual Practising Certificate, issued by the board.

YouTube the Anaesthetic technician experience:

http://bit.ly/1zLr0bN or check our website: http://bit.ly/1c3rzT1Interested in becoming a technologist? Great, we need you! Snap this into your phone: http://bit.ly/1EPeOFC

$52,217 Is the AveRAGe

eARninGS FOr HeALTH GRAduATeS

tWO yeArs AFter stuDy

$95,000 Is the

HiGHeST yOu CAN eARn As

A TeCHnoLoGiST

380 SPeCiALiSTS

NeeDeD eveRy yeAR by 2021

100% inCReASe in deMAnd

FOr HeALTH SeRviCeS IN the

Next DeCADe

How to Get there

How to Get there

Hea

LtH

Jobs in demand:

NextStep//ISSUE 320 Follow SchoolConnect on

Make your health career go hi-tech

Building contractor:there are no specific entry requirements to become a building contractor. three years of secondary education is recommended. useful subjects include english, Maths, Woodwork, Accounting and technical Drawing. In the end, getting the right experience in the building and construction industry is key. Most builders will go on to study a National Certificate in Carpentry through bCItO.

Building and construction labourerCareers New Zealand gives us some insight into what it means to be a construction worker in the Canterbury Rebuild.

Putting up scaffolding, pouring concrete, digging trenches and breaking up driveways is all in a day’s work for a Christchurch construction labourer.

Working as a labourer is very physical work, but knowing that you’ve helped construct a city is a great feeling.

Construction is a job you can get straight into, as it doesn’t require any initial qualifications. A National Certificate in trade skills gives entrants to the industry a good base. A job in construction and building can lead to being a carpenter or foreman. the more training and experience you gain, the better pay and job prospects you’ll have.

Construction is a physically demanding job so a good level of fitness and strength is important.

Build a city on more than rock and roll

SNAPSHOT OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRy

Not many people can say that they helped restore a city from the ground up, but for those working on the Canterbury rebuild that is what they do on a daily basis. However, they need your help. They need a city, so if you like working with your hands or organising people you may be what they’re looking for.

Check out www.careers.govt.nz for more info.

Construction manager: Kerrin ManuelKerrin Manuel has worked his way up to the role of Construction Manager.Planning, motivating, working to tight deadlines and organising various groups of people are all a part of Kerrin’s day-to-day role.

Read on to see how he got there.

to get to the position of manager I had to start out as a general labourer on the broom like anyone else.

Most people who do get to this role have come up through the ranks. I’ve found that if you do the hard yards, the opportunities come.

When it comes to getting into the industry at this level, experience is key. however, employers do like you to have some qualifications too. you can study a National Certificate in supervision through bCItO while you work or do a construction management, surveying, engineering diploma or degree.

My role as manager means that I have to get to the building site early so we can plan the day, if not the week, ahead. I’ll have particular tasks I’ll want to have achieved by the end of the week that involve certain groups of people. We sit around a table and make sure everyone has got what they need to achieve those goals and meet the deadline.

Dealing with a variety of people (contractors, subcontractors, council and the public) means that having good communication and people skills is key to succeeding in this kind of role.

Building and construction manager:to become a building and construction manager you need to have extensive experience in the building construction industry.

these days they may also like people to have (but not compulsory):

a civil engineering degree

a building qualification

a construction management diploma

a quantity surveying qualification.YouTube what it’s like to be a building contractor: http://bit.ly/1AGl3YD or check our website: http://bit.ly/1ReukBJ

Finding work in the Canterbury rebuild: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3jA_Kf4wy4

10.9% GRoWTH IN

JobS IN ConSTRuCTion IN

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21Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

About MeI went to Waimea College in Nelson, then

studied a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in History and Political

Science) at Victoria University in Wellington. I'm currently a graduate in the Russell McVeagh Corporate

Advisory team in Auckland.

Why did I apply for the Russell McVeagh School Leavers Scholarship?

I knew I wanted to study law at University and had heard of Russell McVeagh through friends and family. My school careers advisor told me about the scholarship and it seemed like an amazing opportunity that would open a lot of doors... so I applied. How has the scholarship helped me?Once I received the scholarship I felt like I was part of a big family. You are paired up with a buddy from Russell McVeagh who is there to answer all the questions you have about what it's really like to be a lawyer and give you an insight into the firm.

The HR team organise lots of social events throughout each year which are a great opportunity to meet the other students from your University both older and younger. This enables you to develop a strong support network while you're studying and gives you the chance to make friends with people you may not otherwise meet. These events also enable you to meet solicitors and the partners from Russell McVeagh who are very approachable and happy to share their experiences with you.

As part of the scholarship I was given the opportunity to summer clerk in the Auckland office in my penultimate year of University! I was fully involved in lots of different types of legal work in various teams within the firm and was able to work out which areas of law really interested me. After a summer at Russell McVeagh I knew it was the place for me and the experience made the transition from university to work that much easier.

Finally, the financial support as part of the scholarship is obviously a real benefit too!

APPLY FOR A RUSSELL McVEAGH SCHOOL LEAVERS’ SCHOLARSHIP AND TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO AN AMAZING CAREER IN LAW.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT RUSSELL McVEAGH’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES AND TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT SUMMERCLERK.CO.NZ

APPLICATIONS OPEN 2 JUNE 2015 UNTIL 3 JULY 2015.

READYFOR THENEXTSTEP?

READYFOR THENEXTSTEP?

Jenny CliftonRUSSELL McVEAGH SCHOOL LEAVERS’ SCHOLAR

Law

NextStep//ISSUE 322

being a Chartered Accountant means being a decision maker across all areas of a business. It allows you to audit financial statements and business practises as well as offer advice, helping people to grow and expand their business.

Antonio Caliari-Pearce CA talks to us about being a Chartered Accountant“some friends of mine have just started their own marketing agency and it was really cool that I was one of the first people that they came to. We made a business plan and did their forecasting. It feels like you really are helping.”

Antonio attended tauhara College in taupo, taking Accounting, Computers, economics, Information Management, Physical education and statistics & Modelling. From there he continued on to the university of Auckland to complete a degree in Accounting and Management. “I chose accounting at university because it’s a fantastic base for wherever you want to go in business.”

While at university Antonio undertook an internship in human resources. It was during this time he realised that Chartered Accountants are integral to business. “A Chartered Accountant is a business decision maker. there aren’t many decisions that are made in a business that don’t go through a Chartered Accountant. ”

From there he moved to international accounting firm Grant thornton, where he was able to study towards his Chartered Accountant designation while working.

Fast forward three years and Antonio is an Accountant at a global business - Vend. “We are at the cutting edge of point of sales technology and, as an accountant, I’m driving and shaping the technology and progression of this whole industry. being a Chartered Accountant is anything but boring.”

his advice for anyone looking to study accounting and business is to establish networks early. Antonio did this by joining the rotary Club of Downtown Auckland. “Get out there and build a professional network. When you start talking to business professionals your network grows exponentially faster. Also, always say yes to opportunity. Opportunity breeds opportunity, and the more you say yes, the more options will be open to you.”

While studying to be a Chartered Accountant it helps to get support along the way from your network. “the great mentors I had were people quite close to my age. they were able to give me all of the tips and tricks on where to focus my time and what to avoid, because a big part of it is time management. ”

Antonio believes that being a Chartered Accountant helped him to be nominated, and accepted, to join the board of the Discovery Foundation, a New Zealand charity that runs camps for kids aged from 14 to 18. “It’s given me the ability to apply my skills and make strategic decisions for people who are less fortunate.”

Name Antonio Caliari-Pearce CA

PoSiTioN Chartered Accountant at Vend

TerTiary educaTioN University of Auckland

degree Bachelor in Accounting and Management

high School Tauhara College

For more information on becoming a Chartered Accountant sign up as a student Affiliate of

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

you’ll also be in our monthly prize draw.

charteredaccountantsanz .com/students

Accounting for Change

acco

un

tin

g

About MeI went to Waimea College in Nelson, then

studied a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Majoring in History and Political

Science) at Victoria University in Wellington. I'm currently a graduate in the Russell McVeagh Corporate

Advisory team in Auckland.

Why did I apply for the Russell McVeagh School Leavers Scholarship?

I knew I wanted to study law at University and had heard of Russell McVeagh through friends and family. My school careers advisor told me about the scholarship and it seemed like an amazing opportunity that would open a lot of doors... so I applied. How has the scholarship helped me?Once I received the scholarship I felt like I was part of a big family. You are paired up with a buddy from Russell McVeagh who is there to answer all the questions you have about what it's really like to be a lawyer and give you an insight into the firm.

The HR team organise lots of social events throughout each year which are a great opportunity to meet the other students from your University both older and younger. This enables you to develop a strong support network while you're studying and gives you the chance to make friends with people you may not otherwise meet. These events also enable you to meet solicitors and the partners from Russell McVeagh who are very approachable and happy to share their experiences with you.

As part of the scholarship I was given the opportunity to summer clerk in the Auckland office in my penultimate year of University! I was fully involved in lots of different types of legal work in various teams within the firm and was able to work out which areas of law really interested me. After a summer at Russell McVeagh I knew it was the place for me and the experience made the transition from university to work that much easier.

Finally, the financial support as part of the scholarship is obviously a real benefit too!

APPLY FOR A RUSSELL McVEAGH SCHOOL LEAVERS’ SCHOLARSHIP AND TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO AN AMAZING CAREER IN LAW.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT RUSSELL McVEAGH’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES AND TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT SUMMERCLERK.CO.NZ

APPLICATIONS OPEN 2 JUNE 2015 UNTIL 3 JULY 2015.

READYFOR THENEXTSTEP?

READYFOR THENEXTSTEP?

Jenny CliftonRUSSELL McVEAGH SCHOOL LEAVERS’ SCHOLAR

23Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Short on time a window into the world of careers advisors in NZ

the survey was conducted in early May 2015, and while these are not definitive results, they provide a telling snapshot of how careers information is presented in schools across the country. respondents worked in careers departments throughout New Zealand, from state schools, private schools; both co-educational and single sex as well as decile 1 through 10.

Only 50% of respondents felt that they had adequate resources to provide the advice and support in order for students need to make informed decisions about their future.

the issue this statistic highlights is the potential hindrance from providing students with the key skills and attributes needed to achieve their goals. Further more, 80% of respondents said more time and funding is required to truly provide top quality , successful careers’ support that delivers results.

the changing medium, variety and breadth of careers information has presented a strong case for a significant increase in the quality and availability of professional development for Careers Advisors. Not only would this improve the quality of advice and guidance for students, it would enable further information to keep fellow teachers up-to-date with the latest support initiatives.

With higher expectations and demands from parents, students and fellow staff along with the introduction of vocational pathways and gateway programmes; careers advisors are expected to do a lot more, while not being provided with enough means to invest their time.

One respondent left a very interesting comment that may make you think about career education in a different light.

“In New Zealand, significant time, energy and resources are extended outside of school hours on sporting and cultural activities. Sporting and cultural activities provide immeasurable positive skills and attributes for life, but does anyone ever consider putting the same time, energy and resources into careers advice and support outside of school hours?”

the clear underlying message from respondents raises an important question: are resources and time being allocated in the most advantageous way? And if so, are these being utilised to ensure all young people in New Zealand are well placed to obtain employment?

Time & Resources

In the 2014 survey, this statistic opened many people’s eyes to the need for change. sadly, the 2015 results show we are not improving but going backwards. there has been an improvement at the lower end, with a reduction in those that are spending 10 hours or less with students. this improvement, however, is offset by the decrease in teachers who are spending more than 20 hours a week with students. In 2015 only 29% of teachers are getting more than 20 hours face-to-face with students, compared to 34% in 2014.

The amount of hours careers advisors spend with students per week

Theamountofhourscareersadvisorsspendwithstudentsperweek

None

1-10hours

11-15hours

16-20hours

21-25hours

26-30hours

31+hours

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Percentage

Createinfographics

based on the survey data, this low level seems to be driven by the number of respondents who classify themselves as a full-time Careers Advisor or Gateway Coordinator. Only 43% of respondents said they were full-time, a staggeringly low number given the importance of careers information in a young persons life.

The 2015 New Zealand Careers Advisor survey has brought to our attention some interesting, yet not completely surprising results. The most important theme that can be taken from this survey is that careers advice and support in New Zealand secondary schools still has considerable room for improvement.

NextStep//ISSUE 324 Follow SchoolConnect on

a window into the world of careers advisors in NZ

time spent talking with Careers Advisors is invaluable in the process of a students’ career journey. Often this will be a student’s first exposure to a variety of information presented in an unbiased manner about the variety of study and career opportunities available to them.

to see significant change in the face-to-face time students are receiving for careers advice there needs to be a dramatic increase in full-time resources dedicated to careers. this will not only result in more informed and better-equipped students to make decisions, but more informed parents, caregivers and influencers.

Careers advisors responses

Overall, the responses clearly highlighted the lack of time and resources New Zealand Careers Advisors are faced with. When asked about the status of careers advice and support within secondary schools, there was an overwhelming response that support existed, but it was inconsistent, misinformed and sporadic.

Are you a full-time careers/gateway coordinator?

Areyouafull-timecareers/gatewaycoordinator?

Yes

No

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Percentage

Createinfographics

the majority of respondents said they had support from both the senior leadership team and year Group Deans. however, many identified that while they had support there was no clear strategy in place. this lack of strategy is allowing valuable time and resources allocated for careers advice, not being used effectively.

this idea was supported by responses when asked what the greatest challenge Careers Advisors face in careers education. A staggering 85% of respondents indicate a lack of time to be the greatest challenge they face.

the reasons for this lack of time vary from teaching commitments and sheer numbers of students, to the changing nature of careers advice and the expectations of both students and parents.

this lack of time is even more concerning when looking at the responses regarding when students should first be introduced to careers information. Of all the respondents 85% indicated that by year 9 at the latest, all young people in New Zealand should have begun their career journey.

In reality, these responses are indicating that by the time a student starts secondary school, they should be two years into their career journey. this information is in line with international research and what is deemed best practice. Ideally all New Zealand students should be introduced to careers information from year 7.

When should a young person be

introduced to careers information?

Whendoyoubelieveayoungpersonshouldbefirstintroducedtocareersinformation?

Year7

Year8

Year9

Year10

Year11

Year12

Year13

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Percentage

Createinfographics

however, with most New Zealand secondary schools not starting until year 9, these responses indicate that as a minimum, careers information needs to be ingrained in the secondary school curriculum from day one.

the issue is whether Careers Advisors have enough time to provide this service, or if there is a need for a shift in resources to ensure students are receiving the best support. regardless of how this is achieved, it is vital that students are receiving sound advice in order to make informed decisions.

“More time!”

Time and additional

staff

Funding!

Time to do my

job and train other staff

“Extra staff ing”

25Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Skills Needed On Leaving School

the respondents were presented with a list of 12 different skills and attributes that are important when seeking employment, asking them to choose the top three they would consider most important. All of the skills and attributes put forward are important skills, both in life and when seeking employment, however when forced to choose only three there were clear front-runners.

the graphic below shows the top five, and these five. these were selected ahead of attributes like team work, time management and problem solving skills. there is a commonality amongst four of these skills and attributes with positive attitude, resilience, commitment and initiative all relating to the attitude, drive and determination of a young person.

this aligns with the responses given by employers when asked the same question. An employer feels that they can teach young employees, starting out in entry level roles anything if they have resilience, a positive attitude and are willing to learn.

It should not surprise anyone that communication skills was the outright leader. Communication skills are fundamental in all forms of employment. From retail and hospitality to healthcare, construction or business all employees need to be able to communicate not only to customers, but also with their fellow workers.

When we asked if Careers Advisors felt they had adequate resources to ensure students leaving school were equipped with these skills and attributes, disturbingly only 50% felt they were. Once again they key underlying comment was a complete lack of time.

the other consideration is the way in which students are learning these skills and attributes. Where is the responsibility placed if a school leaver does not obtain at least basic development of these skills? A significant portion of these skills and attributes will be, and should be, learnt outside of formal schooling. Participating in sports teams, volunteering, and within the family environment.

these skills and attributes are not the sole responsibility of the education system, they are the responsibility of a community and all those in that community.

What are the top skills and attributes school leavers need in order to obtain employment.

INITIaTIve aNd caN dO aTTITude

54%POSITIve aTTITude

50%cOmmITmeNT

26%ReSILIeNce

20%

74%cOmmuNIcaTION SkILLS

NextStep//ISSUE 326 Follow SchoolConnect on

Leaving School – Work or Study

In 2015 we have decided to take a closer look at the paths New Zealand’s youth are taking on leaving school. While decile rating is not a reflection of the quality of learning at a school, it is an indication of the community a school belongs to. In looking at the data provided by Careers Advisors on school leavers by school decile rating, the survey produced an interesting yet unsurprising picture.

the first question we asked was in relation to secondary school students leaving school for employment. Pleasingly, 80% of schools noted that one in five students leave because they have already successfully found a job.

even better was the fact that at the remaining 20% of schools this was up to two in every five. this question was answered similarly across all schools regardless of decile ranking. this is a very positive response and implies that a good proportion of school students are prepared, motivated and skilled to the level required to meet the requirements of New Zealand’s employers.

however, when looking at the survey responses in regards to those leaving school without already having secured full-time employment, some trends arise. the graph clearly shows that students from lower decile schools are more likely to leave in search of employment rather than continue their education. At over 80% of decile 8 to 10 schools, only one in five students leaves in search of full-time employment. this is in stark contrast to the responses from decile 1 to 3 schools, where one third have 50% or more of students leaving in search of full-time employment.

leaving school with the intention of seeking employment leaves a young person with limited support networks unless they approach one of the numerous ‘work brokers’ available. by the time an organisation such as WINZ is involved, often the path to employment already has several hurdles in place that may not have been there while the person was a student.

All endeavours must be made to ensure students engage in the employment process while at school if direct employment is their ultimate goal. having the networks, advice and support of Careers Advisors and the school is imperative to ensure our youth are successfully employed.

Percentage of students by decile range who left school in search of full time work

PercentageofStudentsbyDecileRangewhoLeftSchoolinSearchofFull-TimeWork

0-20% 21-40% 41-60% 61%+

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Percentage

1-3 4-7 8-10

Createinfographics

I hear from employers that they feel they can

teach the necessary skills, but are not in

control of the attitude

Employers need to be aware

of the characteristics of

this age group and work

with them, rather than

against them

“If a student has

resilience and a positive

and willing attitude,

then they can teach

them anything”

Perserverance is what counts

27Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

In 2015, those that leave school to attend a tertiary organisation have been split into two groups: Polytechnics, Private training Organisations and Industry training Organisations into one and universities into the other.

Within the first group there is a clear indication that these organisations hold the middle ground. schools across all decile ratings have significant numbers that attend these organisations seeking qualifications ranging from certificates to degrees. It would be interesting to examine further, and with more data, the schools with the highest level of students attending these organisations.

Are students in more regional New Zealand choosing one of these training providers closer to home due to the costs associated with studying away from home? Or is it that these organisations are now communicating a lot more effectively the extremely strong value proposition that they offer to up-skill and train New Zealand’s youth?

these organisations have a very high success rate with regard to student employment upon graduation in New Zealand, compared to some universities. unfortunately, there seems to still be a strong stigma and lack of willingness from large corporates within New Zealand to employ graduates from these organisations.

Percentage of students by decile range who left school to attend polytechnics, PTOs, PTEs, ITOs

PercentageofStudentsbyDecileRangethatLeftSchooltoAttendPolytechnics,PTOs,PTEs,ITOs

0-20% 21-40% 41-60% 61%+

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Percentage

1-3 4-7 8-10

Createinfographics

When looking at the responses from schools around students attending university, the differences between the decile ratings would surprise few.

Almost 50% of decile 8 to 10 schools have a minimum of three out of five of their students leaving to attend university. In shocking contrast, at 60% of decile one to three schools at most one in five will leave to attend university.

this brings two key questions to light. Firstly, are students from lower decile schools being given a fair opportunity to obtain a university degree? secondly, are too many students from high decile schools being pushed towards a university qualification as opposed to a trade, retail or hospitality careers purely based on perception?

Percentage of students by decile range who left school to attend university

PercentageofStudentsbyDecileRangeWhoLeftSchooltoAttendUniversity

0-20% 21-40% 41-60% 61%+

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Percentage

1-3 4-7 8-10

Createinfographics

Why is it that so few students from low decile schools go on to attend university? Is it because there is an elitist stigma associated with attending university, and these students don’t feel they can achieve at this level? Is it seen as ‘uncool’ to attend university within their peer group? Are there pressures from parents to enter the workforce in order to support the family financially? Or is it the thought of incurring a large student loan turning these students away?

It would be interesting to know what the driving factor (or factors) are so we could mitigate them, and provide more opportunities for students from lower decile schools to attend university.

NextStep//ISSUE 328 Follow SchoolConnect on

Why did you choose the Teach F irst NZ pathway into teaching?In my teens, I remember seeing a picture drawn by a student illustrating that the key to unlocking poverty is education. It is an image that has never left my mind. Now half way through my second year on the programme, I’ve been able to see first-hand the impact that a teacher can have on educational outcomes for students.

What’s the best thing about teaching?It is such a pleasure to be teaching at tangaroa College, I’m learning every day from other teachers and from my students. On my first day, I received such a warm welcome. the school, the staff in the science Department and the students of tangaroa, were all friendly and eager to find out who the new teacher was. My students are the best part of what I do and no two days are the same. teaching is an incredibly challenging profession, but the rewards are immense.

What’s the most challenging thing about teaching?the teach First NZ programme is full-on because you are learning and teaching at the same time, but the best thing about this pathway is that you get to put your learning straight into practice. this involves constantly thinking about how you can improve as a teacher - how you can better connect with your students, and ultimately create better outcomes for them. you grow as a person so quickly, and it is exciting thinking about how much more I have to learn.

A favourite teaching moment?there are so many small victories every day. like the year 9 boy who was struggling to understand the concept of measurement using different scales. After just 15 minutes of one-on-one assistance after class, he was able to complete my quiz and get 100% correct. Most importantly, there was a visible boost in his confidence when he grasped the concept.

teach First NZ offers a unique pathway into secondary teaching for talented individuals who aspire to be future leaders in New Zealand.

the teach First NZ programme is two-years long, but the experience and skills you gain will last you a lifetime.

teach First NZ participants teach in schools serving low decile communities while they are training towards a Postgraduate Diploma in secondary teaching.

the teach First NZ scholarship covers all of the training course fees and also provides a full-time salary.

rikihana Gurnick calls the town of Paeroa home. After completing a bachelor of science degree at the university of Auckland, rikihana joined the teach First NZ programme in 2014.

Make a Difference in Your Career

Lead in the classroom. Lead in your community. Lead in New Zealand.be PArt OF the teACh FIrst NZ leADershIP PrOGrAMMe.

Find out more at www.teachfirstnz.org, call the team on 0800 To LeAd or email us at apply@teachfirstnz.org

www.facebook.com/teachfirstnz • www.twitter.com/teachfirstnz

Name Rikihana Gurnick

SecoNdary School Paeroa College

TerTiary educaTioN The University of Auckland, Bachelor of Science degree

curreNT role Teaching Chemistry at Tangaroa College, Auckland.

eDu

cati

on

29Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Fisher and Paykel Healthcare (FPH) is one of New Zealand’s leading manufacturing companies, designing and manufacturing a range of respiratory products for hospital and home use. A career with FPH in the medical device industry means assisting in saving lives and improving people’s on-going quality of life.

Olivia’s journey with Fisher and Paykel healthcare (FPh) began in 2011 while she was still a student. Fast forward a year and she is now employed full time as an operations engineer. her interest in this role within FPh was sparked after attending a FPh factory tour while still at university. Impressed by the company’s manufacturing facilities and the way things were run on the production floor, Olivia knew FPh would be a great place to start her engineering career.

Manufacturing the Future

eng

inee

rin

g

Is Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for you?

Do you like the idea of improving people’s quality of life or even saving lives?

Do you want to be involved in a competitive industry where the equipment you use improves/advances over time?

Are you interested in product/process design and manufacturing?

Do you have excellent communication skills, like to be hands-on and work well in teams to develop solutions?

Name Olivia Curtis

orgaNiSaTioN you work for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

role Operations Engineer RAC Team

high School St Cuthbert’s College

TerTiary educaTioN University of Auckland

degree BA/BE(Hons) Mechanical Engineering

We have opportunities in our Product Development, Process Development & Operations teams for bachelor of engineering, Science or Technology students and graduates in the following disciplines:

Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Software, Mechatronics, Biomedical/Bioengineering, Product Development, Industrial Design, Computer Systems, Computer Science, Chemical & Materials, Mathematics & Physics. Check out www.fphcareers.com

being a part of this team means Olivia has the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects, with no one day being the same as the last. her role varies greatly, moving between designing new stations for production, solving manufacturing errors or even spending time on the factory floor fixing machinery with the maintenance team. however, Olivia’s main focuses are increasing efficiency, reducing waste and monitoring the factory’s production processes.

While the variation of work is what keeps her day exciting, it’s the people she works with and the company culture that keeps her coming in everyday. being a new graduate in a big company can be a bit daunting. however Olivia puts her easy transition into FPh down to the support she received from her very first day.

FPh is very focused on the development of its employees. each month Olivia sits down with her manager to go over the skills and experience she needs to achieve her personal goals. Olivia is given opportunities to gain further training and skill development both inside and outside of work. Problem solving, project management and communication are integral to Olivia’s role and her confidence in these areas is growing continuously.

Attending leadership summits and workshops, and taking part in team building activities like Zorb football are just some of the great opportunities that FPh have made available for their employees. Working for such a big company means that there is a large group of graduates and lots of social sports teams such as orienteering, indoor netball and even ultimate Frisbee that help the graduates build confidence in the new workplace.

NextStep//ISSUE 330 Follow SchoolConnect on

Pete Bradley lets us know what it’s like being a call centre operator (also known as contact centre operator) for Christchurch City Council.

the great thing about being in a call centre is that the work always varies. I really enjoy helping each caller with his or her unique situation and taking the time to provide a proper

solution. I chose to work in a call centre because my mother always said I had the ‘gift of the gab’, which I have used to my advantage. Now, I get to talk to people for a living.

I love working for Christchurch City Council. We have a great team and work environment where there is always something happening. Call centres are looking for people who can be pleasant, patient and calm when interacting with customers. being able to work well in a team is a large part of this industry, as is learning to adapt to new technology.

Often employers like to hire tertiary qualified staff as they are good at problem solving and can move into new roles in the company after learning valuable information about their company’s clients. however, you don’t need to have any specific qualifications to work in this area, although you can do a National Certificate in Contact Centre Operations while you work. having some customer service experience and knowledge of office computing will get you in the door, and once you are in you’ll find there are a lot of opportunities to up-skill.

Working in a call centre means you end up with some interesting work stories. someone once rang the call centre saying “I’ve just had this lovely little dog turn up on my property” – I soon found out it was my dog.

If you’re interested in call centre work, you need to be patient, a good problem solver, a great listener and be able to explain things clearly and simply.

Put some Oomph into your lifeever been inspired by a politician, an It guru, a sportsperson, an entrepreneur, or a chef and wondered how they got to where they are?

Careers New Zealand is giving you the chance to find out on OOMPher; a website featuring interviews with more than 50 successful New Zealanders.

OOMPher differs from other Careers New Zealand tools and resources in that, rather than focusing on a particular job or career, it includes inspiring interviews with motivated individuals who share their ‘wise words’.

you CAn GeT inSPiRinG CAReeR TiPS fRoM:• Masterchef winner and My Food Bag

co-founder Nadia lim• Fashion designer Dame Trelise Cooper• Marine biologist Riley Elliot• Spark CEO Simon Moutter, among others.

Through OOMPHER, we hope you will feel like you have ‘met’ one of the inspiring professionals featured on the site and that you will want to find out more.

Check out ooMPHeR.com

0800: Kickstart your

CALL CENTRE OPERATORthere are no specific requirements for becoming a call centre worker, although most organisations provide training in their products and services for staff before they start work. some employers may prefer you to have NCeA level 2.

Want to know more? YouTube: http://bit.ly/1JsqAaj or check our website: http://bit.ly/1QoDHgy

How to Get there

cust

om

er

serv

ice

call centre career

Working in a call centre requires you to think logically and quickly to help others. It can be a great launch pad for careers in business analysis, service design, management or information technology.

Check out www.careers.govt.nz for more info.

Meet Pete Bradley

31Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

THEY CHANGE LIVES AROUND THE WORLD EVERY DAY.

Both girls found out about chiropractic when family members and friends talkedabout the benefi ts they’d had from chiropractic care. “At school I was interested in science and health so I went and observeda chiropractor in practice, I think it’s important to go out and experience it because any university degree is a big commitment,” says Srujana.

AUT University provided a great foundation and offered good support from faculty for Sheetal and once she was at the College and attended the fi rst year camp, she found it built bridges between students who studied or came from different places.

“The College community is awesome, at school we know people across all four year groups.”

Srujana really enjoys the ‘work hard, play hard’ culture of the College. “While it can be challenging, it’s not competitive because everyone on campus is studying towards the same goal,” she says.

“Chiropractic is life changing. My goal is for more people to understand the potential it has and the body’s ability to heal,” says Sheetal. She plans to stay in Auckland while Srujana might take her degree back to Indiato help her family and the community.

To fi nd out more about a career in chiropractic, contact us or visit our campus.

Sheetal (left) and Srujana (right).

JOIN US AND BE A PART OF A FUN AND REWARDING EDUCATION AND CAREER

Students Sheetal Singh and Srujana Rao are both in their fi rst year at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. From Onehunga High School and Epsom Girls Grammar, Sheetal studied pre-chiropractic at AUT University while Srujana did fi rst year health science at Otago University before starting their chiropractic education.

NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC GRADUATESARE LEADERS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AND IN THEIR PROFESSION.

Find us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/nzchiro www.chiropractic.ac.nz

Phone +64 9 526 2101 recruitment@nzchiro.co.nz

Hea

LtH

32

THEY CHANGE LIVES AROUND THE WORLD EVERY DAY.

Both girls found out about chiropractic when family members and friends talkedabout the benefi ts they’d had from chiropractic care. “At school I was interested in science and health so I went and observeda chiropractor in practice, I think it’s important to go out and experience it because any university degree is a big commitment,” says Srujana.

AUT University provided a great foundation and offered good support from faculty for Sheetal and once she was at the College and attended the fi rst year camp, she found it built bridges between students who studied or came from different places.

“The College community is awesome, at school we know people across all four year groups.”

Srujana really enjoys the ‘work hard, play hard’ culture of the College. “While it can be challenging, it’s not competitive because everyone on campus is studying towards the same goal,” she says.

“Chiropractic is life changing. My goal is for more people to understand the potential it has and the body’s ability to heal,” says Sheetal. She plans to stay in Auckland while Srujana might take her degree back to Indiato help her family and the community.

To fi nd out more about a career in chiropractic, contact us or visit our campus.

Sheetal (left) and Srujana (right).

JOIN US AND BE A PART OF A FUN AND REWARDING EDUCATION AND CAREER

Students Sheetal Singh and Srujana Rao are both in their fi rst year at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. From Onehunga High School and Epsom Girls Grammar, Sheetal studied pre-chiropractic at AUT University while Srujana did fi rst year health science at Otago University before starting their chiropractic education.

NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC GRADUATESARE LEADERS IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AND IN THEIR PROFESSION.

Find us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/nzchiro www.chiropractic.ac.nz

Phone +64 9 526 2101 recruitment@nzchiro.co.nz

www.bdo.co.nz/careers

linkedin.com/company/bdo-new-zealand

twitter.com/bdonewzealandfacebook.com/bdonewzealand/

We were lucky enough to have a chat with Quintin Meyer, an auditor from BDO’s Auckland CBD office to chat about working in an auditing role and his time at BDO so far.

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN ACCOUNTING? I first became interested in accounting when I realised what a vital role it plays in the world. Accountants are interpreters of financial data and play an integral part in organisations. I also realised that the accounting field has a lot of room for improvement as technology develops, I’m excited to see where the accounting world is heading.

WHAT DOES WORKING IN AN AUDIT ROLE ACTUALLY INVOLVE? As an auditor, it’s my job to provide reasonable assurance that a client’s financial statements present a true and fair view of the organisation. I work closely with the client to gather evidence and perform various tests according to their audit plan. We work together to test their assumptions and judgments.

WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE BDO? BDO’s clients are small and medium sized businesses, the ones that make up the most part of the NZ economy. I wanted to be able to gain an in-depth understanding of these entities in order to understand how they grow into large organisations and drive the economy further. I have always wanted to own my own business one day and the experience I’m gaining now will be invaluable for my future endeavors.

WHAT IS THE CULTURE LIKE AT BDO? The work culture at BDO is open, supportive and very team-based. There are often challenging and unique areas that you come across in auditing and it is comforting to know that I can take any problems I face to my seniors. I think the work culture at BDO also looks at your long term career and not just the short term.

There is also a great social culture at BDO. Whether it’s after work drinks on a Friday night or social events throughout the year, there’s always lots happening. This year I completed Round the Bays with BDO and next year I plan on doing the Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE? I enjoy the inquisitive aspect of my role most. I really have to understand a business and its transactions in order to complete an audit. This gives me a great understanding of the business and its people.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS LOOKING AT A CAREER IN ACCOUNTING?I recommend that students start looking into the different service lines that are available in a firm such as Audit, Tax and Advisory to see what fits best for them. Speak to others in the field and see how they are finding it to get a range of perspectives - you don’t want to wait until a week before applications open to start thinking about what you want to do. Start planning for the medium term, where do you see yourself when you finish and what is going to give you the best chance of getting there, i.e. practical experience, community work etc. I would also recommend that students make the most of the events held at universities to gain as much info as they can and to meet people in the industry.

Interested in working for BDO? We have a graduate intake every year, check out our website for all the details.

MAKING THE NUMBERS COUNT

QUINTIN MEYERAuditorBDO Tower, Auckland CBD

acco

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www.sit.ac.nz 0800 4 0 FEES*Direct material costs apply

Who wants to be paying student debt off for the next 10-20 years?Southern Institute of Technology’s Zero Fees Scheme gives you the opportunity to get a quality education WITHOUT the massive student loan*

• Animation• Architectural Technology• Arts • Audio Production• Automotive• Automotive Heavy Trades• Beauty Therapy• Business• Business Administration• Chef Training• Commerce• Commercial Road Transport

Call today or email

info@sit.ac.nz

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POSTGRADUATE GRADUATE DEGREE DIPLOMA CERTIFICATE SIT2LRN STUDY ANYWHERE

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

Taking world class fashion to the classroomif making beautiful costumes and dressing others up is what you love, then SiT’s bachelor of fashion (design and Technology) is the perfect programme for you.

tutor Anna Deacon takes students the extra mile with her experience in the fashion and costume industry.

the programme includes a wide variety of fashion related topics such as: fashion design, costume design, pattern making, garment construction, computer aided pattern development, textiles, illustration and computer aided illustration along with business, marketing and management.

the sIt Fashion department has a team of highly qualified staff to help mentor you through your programme. this innovative hands-on course emphasizes both the creative and technical aspects of the fashion industry from concept and design development through to production.

Anna Deacon has 17 years of world class industry experience and a first class honors degree in Costume Interpretation. Working as a pattern drafter, cutter and tailor, Anna has been responsible for running workrooms from the royal Opera house Covent Garden (making costumes for world leading dancers and international opera singers), to producing costumes for numerous musicals such as Wicked and many other West end and international productions.

since moving to New Zealand in 2007, as well as tutoring she focuses mainly on working within the film and fashion industries. her most recent two-and-a-half years was spent as the key costume pattern drafter and cutter for ‘the hobbit’ trilogy feature films. Also from her Queenstown workroom, Anna is found being busy running her own companies: Anna Deacon Couture, Pole Fitness Wear and siren Vixen Photography.

Anna’s involvement with sIt provides our students a unique insight into both the fashion and costume industries, providing students with knowledge to achieve their fashion dreams anywhere in the world. For those wanting to learn specific fashion skills without committing to a full time degree programme sIt’s Certificate in Pattern Making and Garment Construction or National Certificate in Clothing Manufacture could be the pathway to your future in the fashion industry.

Zero Excuses The Southern institute of Technology, is a fast growing tertiary education provider with a strong reputation with employers and links to industry. its Zero fees Scheme means more students are able to afford education and graduate stress-free.

sIt also offers a broad range of distance learning programmes from certificate to postgraduate degree level so you are able to study at your own pace from anywhere in New Zealand or the world while still under the Zero Fees scheme.

With the financial support of corporate bodies in the southland region, sIt is able to offer zero programme fees to all sIt domestic students who are citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand or Australia. therefore students only have to pay the cost of the material they use for their programme. this can save students tens of thousands of dollars and set them in good stead for their future.

sIt has also recently built multimillion dollar apartments for students living in both Queenstown and Invercargill regions which have a close proximity to the campus and a very warm and safe environment for students to relax and stay while undertaking their studies with sIt. Also closely located to the Invercargill campus is the Invercargill Apartment hotel at a very affordable rate.

sIt has a strong advisory committee for each of sIt’s programmes which hosts employers and key industry members who have input and relationship with the programme so that sIt ensures our graduates meet the needs of employers and the industry of their related field. students graduate with work-ready skills and be immediately productive within their field.

If you are wanting a quality education that employers love and recognise without a large student loan then contact sIt today to kick start your future. students are able to undertake a range of high quality certificate to postgraduate degree programmes at campuses in Invercargill, Queenstown, Christchurch and Gore.

FasH

ion

Fashioning Yourself An International Career

Meet Anna Deacon

35Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

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

is back by popular demand!

A live online forum hosted on the SchoolConnect Website. schoolConnect Careers Week provides students with the prime opportunity to ask a variety of New Zealand’s employers and tertiaries questions they may not otherwise get a chance to ask. For one hour per day, students are given the opportunity to ask questions about the engaged companies, industries, or employment in general, and receive an instant reply. the online forum will take place during school hours, so check out the website for dates and times.

Interactive videos Interactive Videos will also be available on the schoolConnect Website with students asking industry-related questions – and employers revealing their answers through videos of their own. Keep an eye on the website as videos will be released daily for the week of the 28th of July.

Don’t miss out on this exciting, innovative opportunity! New Zealand employers and tertiary providers are looking forward to chatting!

During the week starting 3rd of August, schoolConnect is presenting secondary school students with the opportunity to take part in the second annual schoolConnect online Careers’ Week .

Some of our awesome 2014 participants

auGuSt!Running This

Careers’ Week

NextStep//ISSUE 336 Follow SchoolConnect on

Some of our awesome 2014 participants

Applying for a Student Loan? Get your RealMe IDMoving away from home and heading to a university hostel or your first flat is a busy and stressful time. Whether you are choosing your courses, applying for your student loan or picking your preferred hostel the paperwork can go on and on.

that’s where realMe can help. A realMe verified identity allows you to spend less time on admin, and more time doing what you want.

From August this year you will be able to use your verified realMe ID to apply for your student loan and allowance through studylink online.

realMe, is a collaboration between the Government and New Zealand Post. It’s a service designed to make your life easier and safer online. A verified realMe ID allows you to safely and securely prove who you are once, and have that proof of identity recognised by a number of government agencies and businesses.

by verifying your realMe account you won’t have to worry about photocopying your birth certificate or certifying your ID paperwork with a Justice of the Peace. And with a verified realMe account you won’t have to hunt through the mail for proof of address either.

So what is it?realMe is your official online ID. A verified realMe identity allows you to open bank accounts with participating banks and gives you the ability to access a range of other services online like ordering your birth certificate or enrolling to vote.

Why get it?realMe is the easy way for you to prove who you are online. Anyone living in New Zealand can use the realMe service for free. you can also access lots of online services safely, with just one username and password.

Once you get verified through realMe you can then almost instantly prove who you are online with participating organisations for the next five years. this means no more running around to prove your identity in person

How do I get started? All you need to do is set up a realMe account online at www.realme.govt.nz, provide some identity information when you are logged on and then visit a Postshop to have your photo taken and that’s it! best of all, becoming realMe verified is free!

Get Real with RealMe ID

For more information or to get started visit www.realme.govt.nz >>>

The paperwork involved in leaving school and heading out into the real world can be overwhelming and mum or dad can’t always be there to help you figure it all out. Being able to prove your identity online without the paperwork will make life much easier and leave you with less to worry about.

Careers’ Week

37Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Name Kaleb Hapuku

TraiNiNg Pinnacle Programme

high School Hillcrest High School & Pinnacle Training Scholarship

PINNACLE PROGRAMMEWANT A BOOST?

ARE YOU 15 – 18YRS OLD?

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

@PINNACLENZ PINNACLE-PROGRAMME

SIGN UP NOW AT WWW.PINNACLEPROGRAMME.CO.NZ

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE OUTWARD BOUND

WORKSHOPS MENTORING WORK EXPERIENCE

After sailing from Sydney to Auckland aboard the Spirit of New Zealand, Kaleb Hapuku was determined to apply for the Pinnacle Programme to realise his dream.

Intent on becoming a trained sailing cadet, as well as pursuing a career on the stage, the then hillcrest high school student was advised to apply for the Pinnacle Programme.

“My passion lies in bringing happiness to others through service. this is why I aspired to train as a cadet on the spirit of New Zealand, volunteering for a lifetime to help other young people enjoy the same experience I gained.”

Pursuing Potential Also heavily involved in the performing arts, hapuku says, “while acting on stage I feed off watching others find joy and happiness from the talents I can share.”

the Pinnacle Programme is a hyundai NZ funded mentoring scholarship for young New Zealanders aged 15 to 18 years. successful candidates can experience two of New Zealand’s iconic leadership opportunities - spirit of Adventure and Outward bound, in addition to personal development workshops and mentoring. Final scholarship graduates will have the opportunity to put forward a funding proposal to be successful on an international scale.

the Pinnacle Programme does involve a component of competition, with candidates undergoing a selection process at each stage of the journey. earlier this year Kaleb continued up the Pinnacle ladder being given the nod to test himself for 21 days at Outward bound in Anakiwa.

Kaleb describes his local hamilton community as being “very supportive”, while his family are his number one fans. Parents Jonas and Nadine assisted with the application process and have been there to support Kaleb throughout his journey. “We looked up the information and discussed it as a family. We all agreed it would be a great opportunity for me”.

Kaleb encourages other students, passionate in any field - be it innovation, business, politics, art, music or sport; to put their name forward for the programme.

To apply, register online at www.pinnacleprogramme.co.nz

Use SchoolConnect to help you decide what path you want to take, even if it’s not work or study.

www.schoolconnect.co.nz

the Next Step

Study Tertiary study is a good idea if you enjoy studying or have a specific career path in mind that requires a tertiary education.

StudeNt LoANS ANd ALLowANCeS university can be very expensive. If you plan on paying for university with a student loan you will need to look at all of the requirements. head to studylink.govt.nz to find out what you need to know.

SChoLARShipS scholarships are a great way to keep your student

loan down. It’s not just top grades that can get you a scholarship; there is a range of different criteria for applying. there are almost 4,000 scholarships up for grabs in New Zealand so be sure to check out which universities have the best option for you.

Check out SchoolConnect.co.nz for a range of scholarship listings.

AppLiCAtioN deAdLiNeS Applications dates for most universities start closing

as early as July so be sure to start getting your applications ready.

ACCoMModAtioN If you’re moving to a new city for study, you’ll

need to look into your accommodation options. the university halls of residence have different application deadlines also, so you’ll need to get in quick to secure a spot. If you’re looking for a flat, check out ratemyflat.co.nz to make sure you don’t get stuck with a dud house or dud landlord.

The big oe is a fantastic way to gain worldly knowledge and experience. but it’s not all just fun and games.

wheRe ANd how LoNg Figure out how long you want to go overseas for: three

months, six months, a year? Where do you want to go? Why do you want to go there? Answer these questions before you go any further so you know you’re making an informed decision.

budget budget how much money you will need for your start up

costs. these include: plane tickets to all your destinations, accommodation, food, travel and health insurance, local transport, activities and anything else you are wanting to spend on.

woRkiNg oveRSeAS If you’re planning on travelling for an extended period then

a working holiday could be better suited to your plans. before embarking on a working holiday, be sure to have the right work visas organised before you leave.

Travel

you may want to work part time while you study or you may be interested in going straight into full-time work. Read on to see what you can do to equip yourself for the world of employment.

Cv the first and foremost task to apply for any job is to have a

CV sorted. see your careers counsellor to help you make your own. Careers.govt.nz have a great CV builder as well as some tips and tricks to get your CV looking great!

voLuNteeRiNg Volunteering at work or school is a great way to gain work

experience, which is invaluable on your CV.

jobS there are so many jobs out there that it’s hard to figure out

what you’re best suited to. For job listings that are specifically for school-leavers, check out schoolconnect.co.nz/jobs.

iNteRNShipS Another great idea is to do an internship – something to

connect your work and study! you get to learn while on the job, making it a fantastic way to transition from school to the work force.

JobsIt can sometimes feel like your options are limited

once you finish high school, when in reality it

doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you want to

do more study or take a gap year, there are many

things to consider and prepare for.

Our guide below is designed to prepare you for the

next step on your journey.

39Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Spotlight on theICt Sector

Are students aware of all career /employment opportunities in the Information, Communication and Technology Sector?

Doyoubelievestudentsareawareofallcareer/employmentopportunitiesavailabletothemintheInformation,Communication&Technologysector?

Yes

No

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Percentage

Createinfographics

One of the key employment growth industries, not only in New Zealand but globally is the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. It also one of the key industries identified by the New Zealand Government for growth in both employment and training.

When results from the survey were returned, it was intriguing to see how Careers Advisors felt about ICt as a career and it’s place in careers education. respondents noted that roughly four out of every five students had a limited or no understanding of the career opportunities the ICt sector presented.

When delving deeper it becomes clear that driving this lack of student awareness are two aspects: a lack of interesting, up-to-date information and awareness from teachers and parents of the ICt sector.

this viewpoint from Careers Advisors is consistent with ICt employers. Fundamentally employers believe there is a complete lack of awareness from both young people and their parents/caregivers. In addition, employers feel that there is a lack of quality technology in schools, that what is available is out-dated and that many teachers lack a reasonable level of digital literacy.

Furthermore, employers have noted that maths and science subjects at secondary school provide keys skills for the ICt industry, yet these subjects are not seen as ‘cool’. the lack of interest that accompanies this has a flow on effect toward the perception of ICt employers. however, are students really aware of who New Zealand’s largest ICt employers are? Vodafone and 2degrees are well known companies with a wide range of exciting employment opportunities. xero is one of New Zealand’s leading international organisations providing cutting edge cloud based software to the world. Deloitte is one of the world’s largest accounting firms. however, ICt is one of their fastest growing work streams. these are a mere fraction of the global, market leading organisations that have a large number of exciting opportunities for young people who are interested in ICt. young New Zealanders should be excited by these opportunities rather than seeing them, and the subjects required to reach them as ‘uncool’. the challenge lies in changing the mind-sets of New Zealand’s youth.

these two aligned points of view indicate that significant work is required in this area from all parties. One such means of creating change could be an education and awareness campaign, presented throughout New Zealand. schools’ need quality, up-to-date information to excite and encourage New Zealand’s youth. examining the techniques of those schools with highly engaged students and sharing them throughout the country can establish best practice guidelines. Finally, there needs to be education for parents, teachers and influencers, be educated about the numerous exciting employment opportunities the ICt sector provides.

the comments from Careers Advisors provide a snapshot of the perception of the ICt sector, and while not exhaustive, it is a starting point for change.

An education and awareness campaign needs to be undertaken throughout New Zealand.

best practice needs to be taken from those schools that are doing it well and rolled out to every school in New Zealand.

“ICT needs to provide

‘ungeek’ stories”

“Girls are not really

interested”

Teachers in our school are not really interested

“Parent’s do not think IT is

a real job”

“We live in a rural community where ICT is not really a function of everyday life”

NextStep//ISSUE 340 Follow SchoolConnect on

Name Matt Walkinshaw

SecoNdary School Sacred Heart College

curreNT role Senior Technical Consultant

Meet Matt

Why did you choose I.T.? What sparked your interest in this area?Initially it was the practical nature of this industry that sparked my interest. It wasn’t until I realised the entrepreneurial opportunities that existed within this area that things really kicked off for me.

How have you found your time at ThinkConcepts so far, compared to your expectations?It’s been full on! I’m four years into it and what I’ve achieved so far has been phenomenal.

When I was imagining my first It job I was wary of joining organisations that had a reputation for being dull and uninspiring. My experiences so far proved to be nothing like that.

Why is ThinkConcepts a great place to work? I really enjoy the positive culture and the initiative that is fostered here at think Concepts; it’s a great work environment to be a part of.

We all struggle a bit on a Monday morning, so instead of miserably pushing through we kick off the day with breakfast at the local café. It definitely starts the week off on a positive note. lunches are also provided for us and both these and the breakfast are paid for by our organisation.

ThinkConcepts is a technological solutions company that formed in 2002. The company is constantly on the lookout for more talent with a winning, can-do attitude. Read on to see what it’s like to be a part of the Think Concepts team.

it

We plan ski trips during the winter when we need a break and there is always a massive Christmas function to round off the year.

thinkConcept is a team of 22 – including two dogs, that always make our day a whole lot of fun.

We are a busy organisation but the success is shared amongst us, which is quite unique and makes for a workplace that is epic to be a part of.

What makes you passionate about what you do?When I deliver a final result and get the client’s approval and see their appreciation I get a real sense of satisfaction. I could be working with a large organisation or an individual; regardless of which, it’s the genuine thanks that I receive from my clients that make any challenges I’ve faced worthwhile.

What have you learnt in your job and about yourself while being at ThinkConcepts?I had the impression that a university degree would be essential to get into this industry, when really, it’s not necessary at all for a technical role like mine. Industry proven certifications from the likes of Cisco or Juniper are much more recognised and well received.

In the end, it’s about having the right attitude, making the most of the right opportunities and surrounding yourself with good people.

Confidence plays a major part too. you may find yourself in positions that put you outside your comfort zone. you’ll need to be able to adapt and grow in these situations.

these situations will also be opportunities to further develop outstanding skills in your field and will attract attention from other organisations. It’s likely that the talent pool for your particular area of technical expertise will be quite limited, so you’ll become a very valuable resource.

What are your passions outside of ThinkConcepts?I’m currently a volunteer firefighter in our local community. It’s really great to be able to give back to people in this way and meet a community need. I also enjoy getting out on the water on a jet ski.

www.thinking.co.nz

Thinking

Careers?

Think IT.ICt Sector

Join us on Facebook & Twitter

41Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

Why did you choose a communications degree? What sparked your interest in this area?I grew up in a family that had always been involved with the media and public relations to some extent. My father is a magazine editor, my sister was previously a journalist and my mother works in newspaper production.

I loved the idea of being able to work with a large range of people and incite change through how I presented information to people. At high school, I always enjoyed organising things and being a part of the school’s community which made the decision to pursue a communications degree at Waikato the right choice.

How have you found your time at AttractHQ so far and how does it f it in with your overall career goals?What I love about working at AttracthQ is the great work culture and big-ideas mentality. No idea is too silly or too big to consider.

In terms of my career, I couldn’t think of a better place to begin my post-university journey. being a part of a small company means having the chance to experience all aspects of the business. I am constantly exposed to the realities that are present in small enterprise and am always learning the practical principles of effective business.

What makes you passionate about what you do? I am driven by results and outcomes. I love seeing a project come together, or seeing how I have positively influenced someone through the work we do here at AttracthQ. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of knowing that I am helping other graduates find their first graduate jobs as I know how hard it can be at times.

What specif ic skills have you learnt in your job and about yourself whilst being an AttractHQ grad?I have learnt a lot about myself since joining AttracthQ. If anything, it’s been a huge wake up call! being in a real role is completely different to university. My interpersonal skills and my understanding of the youth employment sector, as well as learning new technical skills along the way. It’s also given me the chance to apply my marketing and advertising knowledge in a practical environment.

How would you describe a communications degree to someone considering one? A communications degree is a great base for any role based on people skills. My degree taught me so much more than just how to write and speak properly. It’s all about being able to understand other people and what will make them want to act or respond to what you’re saying. A bCs is a great match with any other degree, as the skills you learn compliment a range of other disciplines.

What are your passions outside of AttractHQ?My biggest passion outside of work is boating and fishing. If I’m ever daydreaming, it’s usually about being out on the water! I also love discovering new places - during the weekends I’m usually driving all over the countryside trying to find new places to explore.

Meet Miah

We got to interview Miah Dixon from AttractHQ. As leaders in the youth employment space, the AttractHQ team work with a variety of employers to bring a wide range of opportunities to the youth of New Zealand.

Big fish in a big pond! Pe

oPl

e

Check out www.attracthq.co.nz

Name Miah Dixon

CompaNy AttractHQ

TerTiary eduCaTioN University of Waikato

degree Bachelor of Communication Studies, major in Public Relations and Management Communications, specialisation in Event Management

HigH SCHool Pakuranga College

NextStep//ISSUE 342 Follow SchoolConnect on

have you finished school and want to go straight into full-time work?

Perhaps you are looking for part-time work while you study?

Maybe you’re just looking for some work experience or to save some money while you make up your mind about study?

visit SchoolConnect’s Job board to find out!

Log on to SchoolConnect Job Board, NZ’s only dedicated job board for high school students with roles specifically suited to school leavers like you.

you could be exactly what an employer is looking for.

Keep up to date and make sure you’re informed! Register with www.schoolconnect.co.nz and make sure you like us on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/schoolconnectnz

visit SchoolConnect’s Job board.

43Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

NZ Fashion Tech has been a leader in Fashion Education since 1995. We believe in taking our students’ passions and interests and teaming them up with the right technical skills for a successful career in the Fashion Industry.For many years NZ Fashion Tech has exclusively partnered with leading NZ brands that have led to our students participating in special projects. The learning experience is extraordinary and the exposure invaluable. To date we have partnered with Kleenex® Cottonelle®, NZ Red Cross, Fuji Xerox, Resene and Bannari Amman. Visit our website to see more - www.nzfashiontech.ac.nz

In a first for fashion education, the lustrous colours and vibrant patterns of hand-woven silk saris from a Southern-India village are transformed into high fashion designs by students from NZ Fashion Tech. Made possible by an exciting collaboration with Resene, ten garments opened five Resene Designer Selection Shows at New Zealand Fashion Week, and nine further looks were showcased in New Zealand’s leading fashion industry magazine, Apparel, and 6 looks were features in the NZ Next magazine. The results exceeded everyone’s expectations…

NZ Fashion Tech were then granted the Prime Ministers’ Scholarship for Asia and 15 extremely lucky students spent five weeks travelling India learning about fabrics and textiles, seeing where cotton originates from and how it’s transformed into fabric. One

COCO CHANEL

I DON’T DO FASHION

I AM FASHION

“”

NZ Fashion Tech

ENROLNOW

MID-YEAR INTAKE

NZ Fashion Techstudents and their Resene

Colour of Fashion selections.

Nine of the Resene Colours ofFashion garments that appeared

on the Fashion Week catwalk.

student reflected after a visit to a shawl manufacturer, ‘I purchased a shawl that took approximately 1 month to decorate! The shawl makers danced and blessed us which was a very heartwarming experience! And it makes me think how when I first started my journey at NZ Fashion Tech, neverin my wildest dreams did I think that it wouldlead me to this stunning country, yethere I am! I can’t wait to see whatelse they have planned for us!’

Certificate inFashion Technology (LEVEL 3)

Certificate inPattern Design (LEVEL 4)

Diploma inFashion Technology (LEVEL 5)

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tere

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Kim

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-Cla

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KC

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Full pg Next Step mag advertorial.indd 1 7/05/15 2:18 pm

FasH

ion

44

NZ Fashion Tech has been a leader in Fashion Education since 1995. We believe in taking our students’ passions and interests and teaming them up with the right technical skills for a successful career in the Fashion Industry.For many years NZ Fashion Tech has exclusively partnered with leading NZ brands that have led to our students participating in special projects. The learning experience is extraordinary and the exposure invaluable. To date we have partnered with Kleenex® Cottonelle®, NZ Red Cross, Fuji Xerox, Resene and Bannari Amman. Visit our website to see more - www.nzfashiontech.ac.nz

In a first for fashion education, the lustrous colours and vibrant patterns of hand-woven silk saris from a Southern-India village are transformed into high fashion designs by students from NZ Fashion Tech. Made possible by an exciting collaboration with Resene, ten garments opened five Resene Designer Selection Shows at New Zealand Fashion Week, and nine further looks were showcased in New Zealand’s leading fashion industry magazine, Apparel, and 6 looks were features in the NZ Next magazine. The results exceeded everyone’s expectations…

NZ Fashion Tech were then granted the Prime Ministers’ Scholarship for Asia and 15 extremely lucky students spent five weeks travelling India learning about fabrics and textiles, seeing where cotton originates from and how it’s transformed into fabric. One

COCO CHANEL

I DON’T DO FASHION

I AM FASHION

“”

NZ Fashion Tech

ENROLNOW

MID-YEAR INTAKE

NZ Fashion Techstudents and their Resene

Colour of Fashion selections.

Nine of the Resene Colours ofFashion garments that appeared

on the Fashion Week catwalk.

student reflected after a visit to a shawl manufacturer, ‘I purchased a shawl that took approximately 1 month to decorate! The shawl makers danced and blessed us which was a very heartwarming experience! And it makes me think how when I first started my journey at NZ Fashion Tech, neverin my wildest dreams did I think that it wouldlead me to this stunning country, yethere I am! I can’t wait to see whatelse they have planned for us!’

Certificate inFashion Technology (LEVEL 3)

Certificate inPattern Design (LEVEL 4)

Diploma inFashion Technology (LEVEL 5)

® R

egis

tere

d Tr

adem

ark

Kim

berly

-Cla

rk W

orld

wid

e, In

c. ©

KC

WW

Full pg Next Step mag advertorial.indd 1 7/05/15 2:18 pm

At only nineteen years old, Jake Millar is showing us what it means to chase your dreams. His company OOMPHER embodies his motivation and enthusiasm. What have you learned from all the people you’ve interviewed . Are there any common themes to their “Wise Words?”Follow your dreams and do what you’re truly passionate about. If you’re 18 (and you live until you’re 80), you have 2 billion seconds left. Why spend those 2 billion seconds doing something that doesn’t make you bounce out of bed in the morning? Don’t waste your time on this amazing planet. learning, discovery and development are constant and lifelong so never, ever stop learning.

Finally, if you give up, you’re not going to be successful. I have found that OOMPher’s contributors are driven and have a positive work ethic like no other people I’ve ever met. Check out OOMPher.com and you’ll see what I mean.

What advice do you give young people that you meet?Ask yourself: What do you want in life, and why? Work out your vision and where you want to be in 30 years time, and then create a plan to get there. this will minimize your risk of failure, ensuring you’re always working towards your vision.

What inspired you to start OOMPHER?When I was 15 my father died in a skydiving plane crash in Fox Glacier along with 4 close friends and 4 tourists. Following the accident, Prime Minister John Key visited the crash site in Fox Glacier to pay his respects. I wrote to John Key to thank him for his kindness, and we subsequently met for lunch. John Key inspired me to “dream big,” as his Dad had died when he was 7. I also drew inspiration from sir richard branson who inspired me to get into media as a youngster. OOMPher was founded to help inspire other young people to “dream big”. We figured that there was enough information about careers, but not enough inspiration. this is something that we wanted to change, so we did it. Action is the single most important thing for any aspiring entrepreneur.

As a young entrepreneur, what advice would you give to students wishing to set out on their own career venture?When moving towards your ultimate goal, remember that the two most important things for success in any field are skills and networks. If you are incredibly skilled at your chosen pathway, and have incredible networks in that field, you will be successful. I’ve come up with a personal formula for success, which states that: s + N = t (skills + networks = triumph). three catalysts are hard work, luck and kindness. you don’t necessarily need a university qualification to become skilled, and you definitely don’t need one to gain networks.

You turned your back on further study. What were your reasons for this? What advice would you give to students trying to decide between entering the workforce straight away vs. further study?I worked out that in life I wanted fun, freedom, finances, friends, family, fortune (health and luck) and influence. becoming an entrepreneur was the only way I could see myself achieving all of this. Once I worked out that I had a deep passion for entrepreneurial business, the decision was easy: I knew that I would learn far more in 5 years by giving it a crack than I would looking at books (although many disagreed with me at the time).

Why did you choose to work alongside SchoolConnect? What value do you think it can provide to students?schoolConnect boasts a wealth of career information for students in New Zealand, and it is the quality of this information, more than anything, that attracted me to work with schoolConnect. schoolConnect is dedicated to ensuring students embark on a pathway that they are passionate about. students using schoolConnect should feel privileged that they have such an incredible resource, where they can pull information and inspiration from real life examples of success.

Check out OOMPHER.com >>>

Name Jake Millar

age 19

occuPaTioN Founder & Editor of OOMPHER, Auckland-based.

high School Greymouth High School & Christchurch Boys’ High School

Aspiring to Inspiring

45Want more info? Go to www.schoolconnect.co.nz

A degree of urban mythology? – let’s hear it for the BAWhen you find yourself stuck behind a log jam of shopping trolleys stacked high with packets of instant noodles you know the new university year is just round the corner.

For some of the students out in force in the nation’s supermarkets and second-hand shops this week, the old notion that you should choose a degree with a name that sounds like a job will have influenced what they are studying. After all, we’ve all heard that a bA is pretty useless at getting you a job, and that as a result enrolments in bAs are in decline as students seek out degrees offering better occupational prospects. Don’t we?

In fact, both of those assumptions are wrong. For a start, there is increasing evidence – both within New Zealand and internationally – that a bA is the perfect degree for a world that is rapidly changing. these days, employers are looking for problem-solving skills, the capacity to think independently and an ability to research and make sense of complex issues. these ‘soft’ or transferable skills are not only critical to a modern, open economy – they are at the heart of the bA.

Furthermore, the new reality for most young people is not a single career but as many as seven or eight different jobs over the next 40 or 50 years. Many of these jobs do not yet exist, but they will demand excellent inter-personal skills, and the ability to meet new challenges and master new information quickly and efficiently. the employees of the future will need to be able to size up situations rapidly, look at things from a fresh angle, and suggest new options. they will have to be creative thinkers, smart communicators, and able to understand and engage with people from other cultures. What they will need, in short, is a bA.

Clearly, the completion of a degree should not be reduced solely to employment outcomes. In fact, the benefits of a tertiary education were beautifully captured by one of our graduates who told us that her bA had given her ‘the opportunity to walk into worlds I never would have dreamed of walking into prior to studying’.

All the same, universities do have a critical role to play both in individuals’ life chances and in the nation’s broader wellbeing. On both fronts it is now clear that far from being worth ‘bugger all’, the bA is very much tailored to the needs of the labour market – now and in the future.

Alvin toffler once said that ‘the illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.’ today’s employers know exactly what that means. As we head into the new university year the strong interest in Massey’s bA is proof that students, too, no longer believe the tired, creaky narrative about the value of an Arts qualification. Instead, they’re coming to us to learn how to learn, unlearn and relearn.

Associate Professor richard shaw is Massey university’s Director bA (external Connections), and Distinguished Professor Paul spoonley is the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of humanities and social sciences, Massey university.

Visit www.massey.ac.nz

10 QUICK FACTSThe Massey BA

1. It’s being refreshed to meet the challenges of the 21st century

2. Offers a world of learning: students from 58 countries are currently choosing from more than 25 majors and 60 or more minors

3. the only bA in New Zealand with a purpose-built, shared core curriculum bringing bA students together to learn with our best teachers

4. Integrates the freedom to study what you want with the powerful advantages of a core curriculum

5. the only bA in New Zealand that can be studied from anywhere in the world – through our world-class distance offering

6. bA papers are available on 3 locations across the country: Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington

7. teaches the crucial ability to learn and relearn knowledge in rapidly changing environments

8. teaches the transferable skills employers demand: critical thinking, problem-solving and communication

9. 90% of Massey bA graduates surveyed in 2014 are either employed or doing further study

10. Over 50% of Massey bA graduates surveyed in 2014 are already earning more than $40,000

Our BA will fire your intellectual passion and help prepare you for work and your future. It combines the freedom to study the subjects you are fascinated by (and to discover new ones!) with the benefits of a shared core curriculum. Massey’s BA has the bases covered: it will satisfy your desire to learn and expand your career opportunities, now and in the future.

NextStep//ISSUE 346 Follow SchoolConnect on

www.gradconnection.co.nz

New Zealand’s leading internships & graduate employment website.Start your career search here.

www.facebook.com/GradConnectionNZ #gradconnection

47

schoolconnect.co.nz

take the next step

schoolconnect.co.nz

take the next stepschoolconnect

.co.nz

take the next step

schoolconnect.co.nz

take the next step

Sometimes you have more forks in the road than you expected.

Studying? Working? Making a career?

#SchoolConnectwww.facebook.com/schoolconnectnz

Check out www.schoolconnect.co.nz

to take your next step.