Setting our graduates up for success: ‘Graduate to Career’ workshop

Participants at the Graduate to Career workshops during a group activity session

Our Industry Partnerships team ran a workshop in late November for our graduating students as they prepare to launch themselves into (or back into) the workforce – demonstrating kaitiakitanga towards our students even as they prepare to leave us.

Graduates are facing a very different job market now than what they would have faced a year ago, so the theme of this year’s four-hour workshop was “Navigate job searching in COVID times.”. While the world is a little different now, the basics are the same – it’s all about finding the right job to match your skills and aspirations, then showing a potential employer what you can offer them.

The four-hour session included group brainstorming about job search concerns and strategies, a networking activity where participants honed their employer networking skills and an activity focused on how to create a winning CV.

Guest speakers also shared their expertise.

Shailan Patel from MYOB who shared his journey through the GFC, tips for job seekers and the importance of MYOB values.

A panel of speakers consisting of Gavin Cooper, Insomnia (Unitec alumni), Ritika Singh, Ri-Think and our own Heather Stoyner, discussed the importance of being flexible in a recession, and provided tips on how to interact with potential employers. They also shared a little of their own career journeys.

And on a more personal basis, Deb Crossan, Career Development Consultant in our Industry Partnerships team, shared techniques to support wellness and build resilience through the job search process.

The course has received very positive feedback from attendees:

“Just want to thank you and the team for another wonderful workshop. I attended the workshop hoping to learn something new. And I was not disappointed. A few of my friends were also there and enjoyed the brainstorming session. Learned a few new things on how to stand out from other applicants and also interview skills.”

“Once again I thank you and the team for a wonderful program and hope all graduates succeed in their future endeavours.”

“It was well organised and people are very helpful. We cover most of everything about the graduate to career.”

“What I liked most about the Graduate to Career workshop were the activities to icebreak and meet[ing’ new people, the panel Qs and feedback, lunch and networking with like-minded graduates.”

Congratulations to Deb Crossan and the Industry Partnerships team on another demonstration of how we manaaki the success of our learners, throughout their journey with Unitec.