Successful expat Kiwis become enthusiastic philanthropists

Bachelor of Business alumnus Johansen Miller is on the fast track to career success - out of university for just over a year, he already has experience working in New York’s financial district under his belt. He was one of 29 AUT graduates awarded a 2018 Internz scholarship, which provided him with a smooth entrance to an internship at Westpac Institutional Bank in New York, return flights, a 1-year US visa and insurances.

AUT developed Internz as a way to support students’ transition into the workforce, by encouraging them to apply for career-starting roles with exceptional employers in New Zealand and overseas who are part of AUT’s network. A scholarship programme has been critical to eliminate the barrier of financial constraints for those who, like Johansen, succeeded in securing a role.

Supporting students to take and test their skills on a global stage has been popular with generous benefactors overseas. Expatriate Kiwis, many who attribute their own success to the support they received early in their careers, have been enthusiastic donors.

A benefit dinner co-hosted by AUT and Kea in late 2017 raised funds for 2018 scholarships, enabling graduates to take up internships with employers like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and New Zealand’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Johansen remained with Westpac in 2019, working as a financial analyst in Auckland’s Britomart. He says he definitely wouldn’t be at this point in his career if it weren’t for the unique programme that fast-tracked it, and the generous benefactors behind it.

“Being in New York changes you. You learn a lot more about yourself, your capabilities and to be self-sufficient. You become a lot more mature a lot faster. The return is massive – you’re giving someone who’s come out of university the opportunity and for me it’s built a lot of loyalty.”