Employability Blog

Why do an employability award when you are already busy with study, sport, socialising etc? See what our AUT Edge Award and Beyond AUT graduates have to say about what they have gained from doing the awards.

“I now know I can approach new challenges, no matter how hard,” says Karan Patel, who received the MYOB Personal Growth Prize at the Employability Awards Graduation Ceremony on Monday 14 November. “I am proud to receive the personal growth prize. The AUT Edge Award shows me that I have grown from being someone who can't do things to someone who can. I used to be isolated and fearful.”

A roller coaster of a ride is how Khooshi Patel describes her AUT Edge Award journey, which culminated with Khooshi receiving the SEEK Volunteer prize for volunteering at the AUT Employability Awards graduation ceremony at AUT on Monday 14 November. The prize is awarded to the student who went over and beyond with volunteering during the award.

“I’ve come to know that challenges aren’t things to fear, but to be embraced and to learn from,” says Sheldon Hall, winner of the EY Leadership prize for the AUT Edge Award. He found the award not only enhanced his soft skills but helped him find his focus and passion.

Currently the youngest female Justice of the Peace in Auckland, Hana Malak is also senior lead engagement officer at the Honorary Consulate of Lebanon in New Zealand. These accomplishments would not have been achievable without the help of AUT Employability and Career services, she says, and Hana encourages others to make the most of the services.

Getting job interview help from AUT Employability services for a job she really wanted made all the difference for Spatial Design graduate Madi Wright who is now working as a junior designer for Outline Design.

Tips on how to put together an effective creative portfolio were offered by two experienced industry experts, Milk NZ managing director Ben Reid and senior studio creative Steve Grant, at a presentation on creative portfolios held recently at AUT. Read more about their advice here.

Panic is a common default when it comes to the last weeks of study and assignments. We’ve all gone round in circles stressing and wasting energy rather than getting on with the task ahead.  Even the dishes or cleaning the loo can seem more interesting than that pending assignment! Check out these tips from people who know how to study.

A quick CV check was all Anna Erwood wanted when she attended an AUT Employability and Careers CV workshop. However, the array of tips she picked up to further improve her CV really impressed her. She signed up for other workshops that improved her LinkedIn profile and interview skills and increased her understanding of her values and work preferences. It’s well worth doing, she says.