Twitter-sized message inspires students
A star alumna used a Twitter-sized message to pack a punch at the student launch of the AUT Venture Fund last week.
Editor-in-Chief of Trans-Tasman publishing company Flossie Media Group Tee Twyford asked for more “crazy” people in this world.
“The main message for today is actually what I twittered this morning,” she said. “In a short, sharp, under 140 character synopsis: ‘We need more @Jenene’s in this world’,” she said, referring to Flossie CEO Jenene Freer.
Adding, “We need more @jwicom Tony Falkensteins.”
Twyford addressed the group of staff, students and business advisors as part of the AUSM Winter Orientation.
She was joined on stage by Just Water International founder and CEO Tony Falkenstein and AUT University Vice Chancellor Derek McCormack along with AuSM President Andre D’Cruz as MC.
The AUT Business School established the AUT Venture Fund to give students a boost in setting up their own businesses and to enhance their learning experience. Falkenstein is the founding benefactor to the Fund and students can apply for up to $20,000 to kick-start a business idea. Winners will be announced in mid-October.
Twyford emphasised that the world’s future depends upon people with vision and the passion to follow ideas through, and urged AUT students to apply to the fund.
“We need more crazy, passionate, driven people,” she said. “We need people who see an idea, create an alternative and forge a new reality.
“And we need people to take part in the AUT Venture Fund so the rest of us have somewhere to work, where we too can be crazy, passionate and driven.”
Twyford graduated top of her class in the Bachelor of Communications Studies in 2007. She attributed some of her success to opportunities she was offered as an AUT student.
“AUT’s small classes, the challenging group work, practical and theory-based learning, work experience being encouraged and rewarded, and the countless opportunities to transition from classroom into the “real world” is what got me here today,” she said.
During her studies, Twyford gained a coveted internship in the international media team at Tourism New Zealand, offered only to third year AUT PR students, and scooped the fiercely contested PRINZ Supreme Award, the result of her third-year PR studies with ‘Get Organised Auckland’.
But the best was yet to come.
“I was fortunate to receive a fantastic job offer the day I handed in my final AUT assignment, the result of meeting the managing director of the organisation through my third-year project.”
Twyford said now more than ever university students need to arm themselves with the right skills to stand out in the job market.
“As an employer, I know the people in my team need a broad range of entrepreneurial skills and traits, so it’s no surprise that my team comprise predominantly AUT graduates.
“This fund is for those who have an idea burning inside them, who dream big but want to start small and grow their business. Join me, and be one of those people who leaves the office each day feeling satisfied, inspired, fulfilled, challenged and ready to come back to work the next day.”