Smelly, spongy or gangrenous – whatever condition feet are in – diabetic podiatrist Ramona Frost finds it a challenge and a puzzle to make feet better. It's a career she loves because of the difference it can make to people's lives.

Want to know how to create a more detailed story of you, your brand, your passions and the route your career is taking that can be accessed by potential employers? Emma O’Mahony from Robert Walters specialist recruitment agency generously gave me time to explain why she swears by LinkedIn as a recruitment tool.

Are you someone who has a passion for something but just cannot see how to turn it into a career path? Opening up to possibilities other than the expected pathways can be quite intimidating but those that think outside the square about their passions find it richly rewarding.

The best way to overcome fear is to ‘do what you’re afraid to do’, says AUT student Jackie Chan, who received the AUT Edge Award Overall Achievement prize winner at the graduation ceremony late July, excelling in her leadership and volunteering work through the Award.

Dynamic and fun is the best way to describe the hospitality, tourism and events industry, and if you want to become part of it you need to learn how to sell yourself, according to the three panelists from Sky City, Vodafone Event Centre and International Hotel Group at last week’s Match Ready workshop at AUT.

Priscilla Schwalger didn't see much point in volunteering before she started the AUT Edge Award. By the end she had clocked up over 110 volunteering hours (minimum requirement is 10) and is still volunteering - and loving it!

Having to volunteer during the AUT Edge Award opened Liubov Sidorova’s eyes to the huge social impact individuals, like herself, can make. Liubov won the Social Impact prize for her huge involvement in many community ventures around sustainability.

Leadership isn't easy, says Hilary Esterhuizen, winner of the AUT Edge Award Leadership prize, sponsored by CAANZ. Through the award Hilary learned that positivity and two-way communication are the secret ingredients of successful leadership for her.

When Yves Guo started the AUT Edge Award, he was a shy and introverted student who struggled to have any belief in himself. Over his AUT Edge Award journey, Yves developed into a more confident, creative personality who pushed outside his comfort zone to help others.