Influencing the influencers
AUT hosted 84 careers advisors at our City Campus recently to showcase what makes our university unique.
The annual Career Advisors’ Update Day, organised by the Marketing and Recruitment team, invites career advisors to come to AUT and learn about what the University can offer to those considering their career options and next steps.
75 schools attended from across the region, including Rangitoto College, Westlake Girls, Auckland Girls Grammar, Kia Aroha College, Kings College and Papatoetoe High School, alongside independent career practitioners who also requested to join the event.
Senior Manager – Student Recruitment, Aisling Bartley, says the event offers a vital opportunity to ensure AUT is front of mind for key influencers.
“Careers advisors can be wonderful advocates for their students and for AUT. Dedicating a full day to hosting them on campus allows us to acknowledge the work they do, build relationships and really highlight what sets us apart from other universities so that they are equipped to best advise their students.”
The programme included the following sessions:
- Vice-Chancellor welcome and introduction to Ki Uta Ki Tai
- Education, AI and the Future of Teaching
- AUT programme updates
- UniPrep and pathways to success
- Health sciences Q&A session
- Disability Support Services workshop
- Taster tours
- Meet our students – the employability journey
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa, in his opening speech acknowledged those in the room for the significant contribution they make to empowering young people to pursue higher education.
“I acknowledge you as mentors, educators and guides who provide an interface for our young people. You create powerful relationships that enable the power of education,” said Professor Salesa.
He went on to speak about AUT’s key focus in providing opportunities to anyone with potential.
“Like you, we know talent doesn’t look the same, think the same, dress the same. As New Zealand’s most diverse university, AUT is focused on ensuring all our young people have access to the social and economic mobility education provides.
“AUT’s position as the university of opportunity – for students from every socio-economic level, every ethnicity, from all colours of the rainbow, and with a wide range of ages and life experiences – make it unique.”
Attendees left with a great impression of the event and AUT, and feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive:
“Thank you so much for today. It was very informative and so well organised. The food was delicious too (as always).”
“Thanks for a wonderful day yesterday at the Careers’ Update Day. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and found it informative and interesting.”
“Loved the variety and how all the presentations covered questions I have had in the past about AUT. An excellent event as usual! Thank you!”