Mentoring programme empowers students
As part of its commitment to impactful learning, the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law recently organised two sessions of their acclaimed “Morning with a Mentor” programme.
The initiative aims to foster connections between students, alumni and industry professionals, equipping participants with valuable knowledge and skills for their future careers.
The mentoring sessions serve as an important platform for students to engage in deep conversations with accomplished alumni and industry experts. Participants have the chance to ask probing questions about graduate roles, gain industry insights on successful interviews and CVs, and explore strategies to enhance their employability for coveted roles.
Valuable experience for mentors and mentees
One of the mentors is Paul Pang, an AUT alumnus who graduated with a Master of Laws in 2018 and is now a solicitor at Integritas Law Firm. He expressed his admiration for the programme.
“The students who attend are focused not only on upcoming graduate/clerkship positions but also how to be successful, productive members of the legal profession.”
Another mentor, Vincent Chak, graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Finance in 2014 and currently serves as the Billing Team Lead at Digital Island. Vincent noted, “As one of the hiring managers, it is great to give advice on what we look for when we advertise for roles for future stars at Digital Island. It was amazing to see how much the students want to know about what to expect when they graduate, from job hunting to what to expect on the first day on the job.”
To provide students with exposure to various industries, the Morning with a Mentor programme also invited industry partners from Microsoft New Zealand and TRA, a marketing research agency. Harshil Mistry, a Modern Work Specialist at Microsoft NZ, reflected on his experience as a mentor, stating, “Through these conversations, I learned a lot about their aspirations for the future, and I am confident that with such great talent, the future is looking bright.”
Shivana Thompson, an industry mentor from TRA, who serves as a Talent Acquisition and People & Culture Advisor, shared her enthusiasm for the programme.
“Speaking to clever and talented students as they begin thinking about how they want their career to look is always an energising experience. I loved learning about different backgrounds, discussing values, and imparting a little bit of advice around key considerations as students head into their careers. It is so fulfilling to be able to meet the future of New Zealand's workforce.”
Impactful learning for students
AUT is commited to providing students with real-world learning experiences while ensuring strong connections with industry professionals. These activities not only support the students' learning environment but also bridge the gap between academia and the job market, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Student participants were equally enthusiastic about the programme. Raymond Ando, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Business in Marketing, highly recommended attending future sessions.
"It's a great way to gain knowledge and tips on what recruiters for major companies are after,” he said.
Sidharth Singh, a final-year student in the Bachelor of Business majoring in Information Systems, applauded the intimate setting, explaining, "I felt like being in this social setting made it much easier to communicate any questions I had and gave the alumni a chance to provide realistic answers.”
Isaac Mohammed, currently in his final year studying Management and Leadership, summed up what was, for him, the most valuable aspect of the programme:
“What I liked most about it was the 15-minute block for students to engage with each of the mentors as they rotate around groups. The wealth of knowledge they were able to impart to us is incredibly useful as we move forward as students in our search for employment beyond studies.”