Challenge: Students need work experience yet organisations can’t afford to take extra staff on. Solution: AUT Studentforce. Post Covid 19 is a tough environment for final year students looking to enter the workplace. Many organisations are facing economic challenges and not able to offer part time work, internships or graduate roles in the foreseeable future. Yet - for many - now is the time they need an extra pair of hands for a project to help them through.
Busy, noisy and energising – the Business and Economics and Law Career Fairs last week were buzzing as students met employers and found out about job possibilities. Although some students find it difficult to approach organisations, career fairs are a great place to get in front of potential employers.
Employability and career opportunities are hot topics over March with three career fairs running within four weeks, along with multiple employer presentations and preparatory workshops for students. Employers come on campus to meet up with potential employees.
A role with purpose was the overarching theme of employers attending the Culture and Society showcase on campus at AUT mid August. Students were eager to hear about the career possibilities in public service, private and not for profit organisations, while organisations came looking to highlight what they did and the career paths they offered.
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.
AUT law graduate Dion Morley is delighted with his role as solicitor for Duncan Cotterill. But law firms are not the only career options for people with law degrees as indicated by the range of employers at the AUT Law Career Fair.
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.