Meet Sue-Ann Wang who enjoys life in New Zealand but loves time in her home in China, especially with her family.
What is your role and what are some of the things that you enjoyed doing this year?
My current role at Unitec is working as a Senior Industry Partner. A broad introduction to my current role, I look after 31 industry activities across Unitec, serving 2 main user groups (academic programmes and institutional partnerships), the reporting associated with those activities (including PowerBI reports and dashboards) and supporting new and existing work-based learning systems at Unitec. To give you an example, I implemented an engagement recording system (through The Nest) for 10 schools. Collecting academic staff’s industry activities throughout the year. The collected industry contact information can be used to support future targeted industry activites, such as new programme EoI, inviting the industry to attend on-campus events, industry newsletters and programme reviews.
Since 2020, programmes that contain work-based components have been significantly affected by Covid. Staff suffered from the workload and dealing with stressed students. I innovatively developed three placement communication systems to address work-based training needs within the customer relationship management (Zoho CRM) system. The automated process enabled academic staff to manage placements online, communicate, attend and track students’ learning needs in real-time. I enjoy working with people, passionate about students’ learning and achieving customised outcomes to meet users and business needs. PS: due to my relevant experience setting up placement projects and monitoring industry activity reporting. I’ve been offered a secondment opportunity with Te Pukenga to work in the ICT team as a Business Analyst. My transition date will commence on July 11th (next month). I’m very excited about my new role and sad about leaving my team and the academic teams I have been working closely with for 9-month during this secondment period.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work? (e.g. Volunteering? Sports? Travel? Family?)
My hobby is my family. I spend all my weekends and free time with them. I have been a full-time mum for 5 years since my first son was born, alongside with part-time jobs and a couple of contracts. I even picked up a Playcentre’s qualification (ECE) while playing with my own children. No matter if it’s hanging out at our family Bach in Mangawhai, or running after my kids during weekend sports. Again, it could be chilling out all day in my Auckland apartment doing housework, baking & cooking, or not much at all, or on the other hand, travelling through Asian up to 5 weeks moving from place to place. I enjoyed it all.
The Forbidden City
Where did you grow up and what’s interesting about that place?
I grew up in North East of China. A city called Shenyang 沈阳 used to be called 盛京 or 奉天. It’s also the centre of an area that used to be called Manchuria, where the last Emperors of China were originally from. I spend my first 20-year there, and I almost spend an equal amount of my life living in New Zealand. By 21st November this year, I will be arriving in NZ on my 20th year.
Interesting things about Shenyang, I can think of 2: one is that there is an older (than Beijing) and smaller forbidden city 沈阳故宫 in my home town, there is a video about the size of it on YouTube (沈阳故宫航拍) The other interesting thing about Shenyang is the “snow”. Some days during winter, the temperature can reach -30 degrees, lakes are frozen, and snow is everywhere. I used to hate winters, and I can’t believe I’m writing about it now.
2016, on top of a frozen lake in Shenyang
Do you speak any other languages, what is special about that for you?
I’m professional in Mandarin, I hope you already figured out that, haha… I learnt Japanese Level 1 for one semester before I went to visit Japan. I grow up with a lot of Japanese cartoons and contemporary cultural influences. However, people in Tokyo live a busy lifestyle and hardly have time to talk with me. Never mind… Japan, I shall return…
Tell us a funny memory from childhood
Lots of fond memories from my childhood. However, the funny ones are mostly from my high school. I studied in one of my city’s oldest high schools (No.27 High School), with beautiful architecture and dugouts underground during World War II in preparation for the bombing. One of my classmate’s house was directly opposite the school gate, so he often entered the classroom as the bell rang. If he completed the homework for the day, he would leave his school bag on his seat. One day, again, he entered the room while the bell was ringing. As he sat down, we heard a sound, with him jumped out of his seat, “Yee….” He just demonstrated gravity on a little mouse through his physic book…（小耗子被坐扁在物理书里）
What is you favourite book or movie? Why?
Again, I still read most of my books in Chinese. I don’t think reading in English is enjoyable. It’s rather tortuous… haha… However, I enjoyed reading children’s books a lot when my kids were little. “Marmaduke Duck and Marmalade Jam” loved that one. I really enjoyed reading Robinson Crusoe 《鲁宾逊漂流记》. I like reading stories about real life. I love travelling, and I’m definitely a survivor. Really appreciate the mental challenge of putting myself on an island and imagine things that I might need to do to survive.
2019 Cambodia Angkor Wat
Kids/pets/partner you want to brag about?
Patrick, 2nd year in MAGS, under Ninja training (fencing, artery and curling) there. James, 1st year at Kowhai Intermediate, self-motivated fashionista. Both home-birthed in Rotorua, and both fluent in English and Mandarin. My family went back to China in 2013, lived and worked in Shanghai for 3 years. Patrick started his first 2 years’ of primary in one of Shanghai’s local schools and that’s tough for a Kiwi kid. The China experience planted a permanent seed in their upbringing that they are half Chinese and they are related to their mother’s land and cultural. Our family transitioned back to NZ in 2016.
Tell us an achievement out of work that you’re proud of.
I spent 2 years self-trained to win 3 running competitions (2 X first place and 1X second place) at my high schools, from the 2nd to the last. Being the first pass the finish line feels GREAT! Achieving something through self-discipline and consistent effort makes me feel proud.
Is there a song that reminds you of a significant/interesting/funny time in your life?
I still enjoy most of my Chinese songs. However, I really like “Islands in the Stream” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers. I used to work in a café in Christchurch during weekends while studying at University. Around 2-3 p.m. in the afternoon, tasks/things start to get dragging and sleepy. However, when the song’s music starts playing, I feel charged (打鸡血). I never took a look at the lyrics until recently. Now having discovered the meaning of the song, I’m convinced that it’s not intending to motivate me to get on with my work. Haha…
Best concert/show/event you’ve ever been to? What made it special
I have a thing about dancing, so I prefer dancing shows more than concerts. However, the best event/show/concert? Does visiting Disney Land count for one? In July 2018, we visited Shanghai Disney Land during the Chinese school holiday. I believe it’s the most populated Disney Land scheme parks in the world. For the popular rides/shows, you will need to queue up to 2-4 hours for a popular ride/show entry. I think it’s the best because Disney Land is all about children. Where else can you get so many excited and dressed-up kids together (so many Elsa, Mikey Mouse, and Spiderman)?
What’s your favourite food or signature dish?
So many… I love food with intense flavours. Let’s start anything with some chili.
Who do you most admire and what is it about them that makes them special?
The older I get, the fewer people I admire, and the more people surprise me. James (my son) often surprise me with his boldness in fashion and Patrick surprise me with his results in Math (in a good way).