Meet AUT’s Employability and Careers team
Our great team of employability and career specialists has a wide range of experience and skills in career counselling, recruitment and industry, along with a genuine interest in supporting AUT students in developing strong employability skills and thoughtful career decision making.
As an AUT student you can visit us at our home base on the AUT City Campus; the Employability Lab (WA202) where we offer workshops and one-to-one career appointments. We also provide these services to students online.
Driving the leadership and strategic direction of the student experience for employability, sports development and recreation programmes university wide is a major part of Anna’s role. Anna, who has been employed at AUT for over 10 years, has extensive experience in recruitment, leadership and project management in New Zealand. She is passionate about continuous improvement, talent management and providing superb customer service and excellence in delivery.
Email: anna.williams@aut.ac.nz
Naufa is passionate about the AUT student and graduate journey, and about helping students realise their potential and achieve their career goals. An AUT international alumna, originally from the Maldives, Naufa worked in healthcare recruitment for six years before returning to AUT to join the AUT Employability and Careers team. She is a psychology graduate, is now studying toward her Graduate Certificate in Career Development and is a student member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ).
Email: employability@aut.ac.nz
Diana has recently come to AUT from a commercial recruitment management background in one of New Zealand's largest global companies. She enjoys using her 20 plus years’ experience in recruitment, training, HR and coaching to help students prepare for the current job market. Her university aged children help her understand the complexities of studying and working, as well as making career and employability decisions. Diana’s qualifications include a Graduate Certificate in Career Development and many professional development courses.
Email: employability@aut.ac.nz
Uncovering an individual’s potential, then helping them to inspire others, is a huge motivator for Dianna.
A career in advertising, and running workshops, highlighted her passion for finding out what makes people tick. This led to running the YWCA mentoring programme for young women that encouraged them to believe in themselves. She then moved into career counselling with tertiary students and completed the Graduate Certificate in Career Development.
Dianna is a member of the Careers Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ).
Munaal is committed to empowering students to uncover their potential and confidently navigate the ever-evolving job market. An AUT international alumna with a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Employment Relations, Munaal brings seven years of recruitment experience in New Zealand, the Middle East, and Pakistan to AUT Employability and Careers. Her most recent New Zealand role involved partnering with graduate employers to design and lead graduate and internship recruitment processes. This has given her an in-depth understanding of what employers seek in graduates.
Email: employability@aut.ac.nz
With a background in the recruitment industry, and employability and careers, Emma says she loves providing students with insights into what employers are looking for and how to become as employable as possible. Emma is a professional member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ), and her qualifications include the Myers Briggs Type Indicator® and AUT’s Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Career Counselling).
Email: employability@aut.ac.nz
As someone who likes making a difference for people, Horowai finds it very satisfying helping students develop interpersonal and leadership skills through undertaking the AUT Edge Award or Beyond AUT Award. A recent AUT HR and international business graduate, Horowai has experience in frontline community work, helping with financial assistance, upskilling and employment. She is loving her job’s focus on tertiary students’ practical skills and career development.
Email: AUT Edge Award: autedge@aut.ac.nz and Beyond AUT Award: beyondaut@aut.ac.nz
Employability Relationship Manager
Rachael is passionate about students accessing great opportunities and building strong industry relationships. Leveraging her extensive background in account management, Rachael works closely with organisations to understand their recruitment goals and strategise the most effective ways to connect with AUT students through the various opportunities across the university. She is a member of the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers (NZAGE).
Email: rachael.marsters@aut.ac.nz or autemployability@aut.ac.nz
Shu is deeply committed to bridging the gap between students and industry. With a background that spans professional services, the public sector, and international development, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as an industry relationship manager.
Shu, who came to Aotearoa as an international student from China, relates strongly to international students’ experiences, and enjoys facilitating connections and partnerships to help empower the next generation of graduate professionals.
Email: shu.wang@aut.ac.nz
Anna is motivated by a passion for connecting people in the tertiary space and creating opportunities for students to engage with industry. Originally from the UK, Anna brings a wealth of experience in business development and recruitment across multiple sectors, enabling her to support students exploring the world of employment and making the first exciting step in their career. She is a member of the New Zealand Association of Graduate Employers (NZAGE).
For Angela, interviewing and writing about the career journeys of inspiring AUT students and alumni for AUT’s employability blog and career sheets is the best of jobs – along with coaching AUT Edge Award students. Angela has experience in career counselling, freelance writing and running a number of small businesses. Her qualifications include AUT’s Graduate Certificate in Career Development and Graduate Diploma in Journalism. She is an affiliate member of the Career Development Association of NZ (CDANZ).
Email: angela.mccarthy@aut.ac.nz
Contact us
Drop into the Employability Lab or email us:
employability@aut.ac.nz
Locations on campus
Visit us at the Employability Lab at the City Campus in WA202.
We're also available at our other campuses by appointment only. Book at Elab Online