New Employability Relationship Manager, Rachael Marsters

“Think wide and outside the box! There are so many amazing roles out there that you may not be aware of. Be strategic and carve the path you want.”

Wise words from AUT’s newest employability relationship manager, Rachael Marsters. As someone who has worked in sales and account management, across many industries including professional sport clubs, she has a good grasp on the range of possibilities in the workplace for new graduates. We welcome her to the Employability and Careers team.

What do you do as an employability relationship manager?

We go out into the workplace and create relationships with employers, bringing them into the university to meet with students and graduates and open up opportunities for graduate roles, internships, work placements etc.

By doing this we help students prepare for the challenges of entering the workforce by providing quality industry exposure through employer events, such as career fairs and lunchtime series.

I am responsible for building up relationships with industries for Business and Law, Science, Sport & Recreation and Health.

Why do this role?

I love the idea of being able to contribute to a student’s career journey by developing relationships with employers and organisations within various industries.

What do you feel you bring to the role?

I enjoy meeting new people and I’m passionate about doing good things. I’ve got strong relationships with many areas of industry and I’m not afraid to pick up the phone and ask for things and utilise my networks to get results.

Any previous experience with tertiary?

This is my first role working in tertiary. But I have a teenager and I’m amazed how different his world is to mine, even though there is only 18 years between us. There has been so much change in such a short time and it isn’t stopping.

What drives you in what you do?

I love doing good things and contributing to initiatives that make improvements and help, be that in my work or personal life. The first initiative I’ve supported at AUT has been Tupu Tai internships for Pasifika students. I’ve loved been involved with that because I'm a Cook Islander so it is something I am keen to put energy into.

Your goals in this role?

Simply to contribute to the overall success of the employability and careers team within AUT, whether that be with new ideas or just being an awesome team member.

If you want to ask a specific question of Rachael, contact her through autemploy@aut.ac.nz