Despite economy employers are recruiting
Recruiters and employers are keen to meet with AUT students on campus over March and early April to advertise 2026 internships, graduate programmes and graduate roles, although slightly less than some previous years.
Because competition for internships and graduate programmes is tough across New Zealand, it is really important students start to engage now and don’t leave looking for internship and grad roles until later in the year, says AUT Employability Relationship Manager Rachael Marsters.
“A lot of big graduate employers start recruiting in March for 2026 and most organisations take a rolling recruitment approach, which means they look at applications as they come in, rather than waiting until the application deadline.”
Rachael points out internships are a key part of graduate employment because internships give employers a chance to see how a student fits and works within the organisation. She urges students to make the most of this exposure to employers by preparing well.
“Many employers offer permanent graduate roles off the back of internships. I strongly recommend students to take advantage of the services offered by our employability and career team to give them the best shot and to stand out in a competitive market.”
Zuru attended the Business Career Expo to advertise 20-30 internships on offer for 2026, mainly in communications and marketing but also logistics, data analytics and talent acquisition.
“We want to meet you, and I know how terrifying it is as a student to ask questions, but it is important to do so. Career events are a way to find out as much as you can and evaluate different places and see if you could see yourself working there,” says Early Career Human Resources Manager Ashleigh Whitemore.
The Communications Council, an industry body of 70 plus advertising, media and communications agencies, was represented at the expo by the council’s Future Talent Manager Amanda Davies. She encourages students to set up a LinkedIn profile.
“Connect with people on LinkedIn and follow our social media channels so you see when people are advertising for roles.”
Amanda says the advertising, media and communications sector is more interested in soft skills than a specific degree or high grades.
“We want people with drive, passion and curiosity who are diverse thinkers. You can have a degree in health, engineering, IT, science or communication etc - it is the soft skills we want to see.”
KPMG Talent Acquisition Early Careers manager Cam Webster says KPMG attends AUT career expos because they have made good hires from AUT, and they like the opportunity to meet students directly.
“It helps us build relationships, connect to students from different degrees and have authentic engagement. We want to learn about your personality, so don’t emphasise your technical skills but talk about something that resonates with you, whether values, purpose, social, cultural…”
Cam advises students to research beforehand so you know a bit about the company and don’t ask questions that can be answered by looking at the website.
“Also go and see lots of employers at expos, not just the ones you know about.”
Be prepared
A veteran of three internships, Hannah Stowers knows full well the value of being prepared.
Keen to get an internship to get experience in the workplace before graduating, she went to Employability and Careers to get feedback on her CV, create an elevator pitch, and answer interview questions.
“As a student you’re around other students and don’t really get into the workplace to see how your learning is applied. So, I wanted that extra experience – and it also always looks good for your CV.”
By the end of her study Hannah had done two internships, one at MBIE with Tapu Tai and the other with Auckland Transport (AT) through Tupu Toa. She also landed the coveted Pasifika Student Placement at the Office of Auditor General, where she completed her Business cooperative education requirements. Hannah now has a contract as People and Performance Co-ordinator in AT’s People and Performance team. Read more about Hannah’s internships here
Want help to be ready
Find out more about Employability and Careers workshops by signing into Elab Online (elab.aut.ac.nz). This is a central place where you can register for all career workshops and events, including one on one appointments if you wish to have individual help with career decision making.
Not signed in before? It’s easy. You use your AUT username and ID for ‘current student’. Then find Appointments or Workshops and Events.
Employability and Careers Blog
Find ideas on how to get better at job search through your CV or LinkedIn profile, learn from the feedback of employers, and be inspired by stories of AUT students and graduates as they network, go to job interviews and find their feet in their chosen career.