Roller-coaster of a journey with AUT Edge Award

(Khooshi Patel receiving the AUT Edge Award SEEK Volunteer Volunteering prize from SEEK NZ Country Manager Rob Clark)

A joyful moment is how AUT Edge Award prize winner Khooshi Patel described receiving the SEEK Volunteer prize for volunteering at the AUT Employability Awards graduation ceremony at AUT on Monday 14 November. The prize is awarded to the student who went over and beyond with  volunteering during the award.
“This has been an absolute roller-coaster of a journey through which I have come out as a better, well-rounded individual,” says Khooshi.

She is full of pride with what she achieved through volunteering and leadership. After meeting the award’s 50 hour volunteering requirements she continued participating in leadership and volunteering activities to tally up over 1200 hours, driven by an interest to participate in as broad a range of organisations as possible, including sports, sustainability/environment, health and disability services and food charities.

“Every volunteering experience has boosted my personal growth and development,” she says.

Prior to the AUT Edge Award Khooshi often let opportunities slip by. Not any more!
“Through the award I summoned the courage to inch out of my comfort zone and my confidence has grown. No matter how hard the next challenge, I’ve now got the courage to try,” she explains.

Graduation celebrates great achievements

Khooshi was one of four students singled out for going over and beyond during their award journey. Sheldon Hall received the EY Leadership prize, Karan Patel won the MYOB Personal Growth prize and Etienne Tapueluelu received the Cordis Hotel Beyond AUT prize.

All up 93 students graduated with the AUT Edge Award, an achievement that also appears on their academic transcript. Another 21 students received the post-graduate Beyond AUT Award. While doing the award these students contributed over 7000 hours of volunteering and 6500 hours of leadership to many areas of their communities.

As well as making a huge difference to their communities, the awards also encourage development of the ‘C’ skills or soft skills that employers love to see evidence of. Vice Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa (right), who spoke at the graduation, praised the students for their resilience and generosity with their time and energy.

“Not only does it make you a better employee, this award makes you a better family member, better friend and better member of society,” he said.

Student Employability Director Anna Williams described the celebration as a highlight of the calendar.

“The students here have gone through a journey of learning, knowledge and reflection. This has built their self confidence and will make them stand out from the crowd when they leave AUT.”

The awards are acknowledged formally on the students’ academic transcripts. No other university in New Zealand offers or acknowledges such a comprehensive programme of activities done outside of study. And it is free to join.

"Being enrolled in an amazing free programme like the AUT Edge Award or Beyond AUT Award really complements students’ study - and gives them a competitive advantage when looking for work," says Employability Awards specialist Logan Carr.

Seven years on

The AUT Employability Awards have gone from strength to strength since the inception of the AUT Edge Award in 2016 and Beyond AUT Award (postgraduate) in 2019. Throughout that time students have delivered over 55,000 volunteering hours and 38,000 leadership hours to organisations as diverse as Red Cross, SPCA, Greenpeace, Girl Guiding, Conservation Volunteer NZ, Recreate, City Mission, Sunday Blessing, NZ Olympic Committee, TEDx Auckland.

They’ve also participated in student ambassador and RUOK programmes, AUTSA clubs and events and other aspects of AUT’s academic and social calendar.

Find out more about the AUT Edge Award and Beyond AUT Award here.

Group photo caption (L to R) Etienne Tapueluelu, Karan Patel, Khooshi Patel, Sheldon Hall