Volunteering creates many new experiences

AUT Edge Award SEEK Volunteering Prize winner Hannah Whyte (left) with SEEK Volunteer Senior Account Manager Jessica Carli

“The AUT Edge Award has given me the opportunity to gain confidence and find new experiences in which to push myself out of my comfort zone,” says Hannah Whyte.

She certainly found plenty of new experiences, logging over 1000 hours of volunteering and leadership through multiple organisations such as Scouts NZ, AUTSA event, Conservation Volunteers NZ and Coastguard NZ.

For those endeavours Hannah won the AUT Edge Award SEEK Volunteering Prize at the recent 2023 AUT Edge Award and Beyond AUT Award graduation ceremony last Wednesday (6 December).
“I was absolutely stoked to win the volunteering prize. Volunteering has become such a core part of my life that I will continue to volunteer.”

Over the past seven years the employability award students have completed a total of 61,000 hours of volunteering and 40,000 hours of leadership. Vice Chancellor Damon Salesa, who presented the graduation certificates, praised the recipients for their resilience and commitment to volunteering and leadership.
“These students have done around 61,000 hours of volunteering. Think of the difference this makes to those volunteering organisations and the people they support. If you consider that there are less than 9,000 hours in a year, you get an idea of the number of hours done.”

While Hannah initially joined the award to add to her CV, she found it also helped her develop skills that are invaluable for employment and explore what is important.
“This award opens up new possibilities and helps you find some of your passions. For me, that is helping the environment and giving back to my community,” she says.

What's involved in the AUT Employability Awards?

Employability Awards specialist Horowai Broederlow says the AUT Edge Award is open to all undergraduate AUT students, while the Beyond AUT Award is for postgraduate students.
“The Awards encourage students to be active either on campus or in their communities which increases their transferable skills and helps them connect. They can participate in a variety of ways – including in clubs, volunteering for charities or conservation activities – and once completed the award is formally acknowledged on their academic transcript.”

*The AUT Edge Award involves a minimum of 50 hours of volunteering, 18 hours of leadership, 14 employability workshops and a personal reflection.
*The Beyond AUT Award involves 35 hours of volunteering, 12 hours of leadership, seven employability activities and a personal reflection.
*Once completed the award appears on students’ academic transcript.

Want to know about our services?

Find out more by contacting autedge@aut.ac.nz or looking at our webpage

Come and visit us at the Employability Lab at WA202 on the city campus

Use Elab Online, our online portal, to book into events and appointments that are offered in person and online.

We look forward to meeting you!