Practising how to network at Career Expo paid off

Practising how to network can feel uncomfortable but if you push through your awkwardness it can pay off, as Lavenia Tailai-Mataitini found when she attended a career expo.

When Lavenia got an email telling her about the Community and Public Sector Career Expo, she instantly signed up to attend.
“Honestly I thought it was awesome because it was an opportunity to meet new employers and develop my networks,” says Lavenia, who was studying a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution.

Practising how to network

At the expo, she spoke with people from non-governmental and governmental organisations.

“I was nervous about meeting employers because I’m usually only comfortable with my peers and lecturers but I realised it was my big chance to show my interest and learn because anyone of them could become an employer. What stood out was the passion and dedication they had for their line of work, whether helping in the community or serving the public.”

Her networking skills worked. One of the Waka Kotahi representatives she approached at the career expo suggested she look at the Auckland Transport Nga Kaihoe internship program. One of a 1000 initial applicants, Lavenia made it into the second cut of 100, then won one of the coveted 45 places at Auckland Transport.

Internship underway

Now six months into an 18-month internship she began in November, she is currently based with Business Technology’s delivery enablement team, where her work involves monthly reports for project managers, presentations, communication with stakeholders and other activities.

“I enjoy learning every day, building networks and connections with people, while being supported by the team. I also enjoy meeting and working alongside graduate on certain projects within Auckland Transport,” says Lavenia.

Support of Employability Lab

Lavenia says AUT Employability and Career Services made a big difference to her approach to getting the internship.
“Looking at government roles online, I realised my CV needed some work. A couple of friends told me about the Employability Lab, so I decided to check out what it had to offer me.”

She quickly learned her four page CV was too long and had too much irrelevant information in it that didn’t relate to the roles she was wanting to apply for.
“So I tailored it to the job description and cut it down to two pages.”

LinkedIn was another area where Lavenia got a lot of help from the lab team.
“I didn’t even know LinkedIn profiles existed. Employability helped me set up a profile and I started to see it was a vital aspect to finding a career by building networks,” she says.

Award gives edge

She also joined the AUT Edge Award, finding it a great way to develop leadership skills in particular.

“I was a student ambassador, taking part in Orientation and volunteering with student bodies across the city campus. Doing the award was, in a way, a foundation to my career because it helped me develop and nurture my skill sets for finding employment. I also built great friendships that I think will last a life time.”

Lavenia encourages all students to make the most of the employability and career services at AUT.
“Go and visit the Employability Lab and explore what they have to offer. They really helped me a lot.”

Want to know more?

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