Connecting students to future employers
More than 100 employers visited AUT’s City Campus over the first half of March to connect with around 1500 students as part of a series of career expos employer events.
These events, which focused on business, law, ICT and engineering, provided a platform for employers to connect with students and gain valuable insights into potential graduate employees. Through the event students got to practice networking, find out about graduate job opportunities and develop a wider perspective on the range of employment opportunities for graduates.
Buddle Findlay's talent attraction specialist, Harri De Longh, was impressed by the students' eagerness to learn and engage in meaningful conversations.
“We found the AUT students exceptionally enthusiastic, and curious which is just up our alley. All round, it was an exceptionally well-run event, professional with clear messaging. We’ll definitely be back,” says Harri.
Financial Markets Authority early careers talent specialist, Tim Coker, says the FMA is increasingly eager to connect with AUT students: “Recently we’ve had great AUT interns so we realise we need to attend these events. And it has been so worth it. Over the expos we’ve had great conversations with students.”
Nik Skara from Wilson Harle says meeting students face to face is not only enjoyable but very important: “I do remember students that I meet. People who stand out for good reasons resonate with me and stay in my mind.”
AUT students who attended the events found them valuable in gaining insights into various career opportunities and dispelling fears for the future after AUT.
Fifth year law and business student, Eve McLoughlin, attended the Business and Law Career Expos to test the waters.
“It can feel hard to get a foot in the door, but I felt optimistic after talking to businesses at the expos” says Eve.
“I had good conversations with people about how they got into their role, what they enjoyed about the job and what their background was. It made me get over my sense of imposter syndrome. It was also interesting how often the importance of personality was mentioned.”
Master’s accounting student, Alvin Thomas, attended the expo to look for potential job opportunities after graduation and says: “It was a useful exercise because I was able to touch base with a lot of companies, asking about the jobs they might be offering and who had roles I could apply for when I finish my degree in August.”