Stephanie Young
Employment Claims Coordinator, Peninsula
Bachelor of Laws
Deciding to study law was easy, says Stephanie Young who came to AUT to complete a Bachelor of Laws.
“I chose law because I wanted a career where I could make a real difference in people’s lives. Being able to advocate on behalf of those who may not have had access to the same opportunities is something I don’t take for granted.”
Now working as the coordinator for the Claims team at Peninsula, she loves being able to apply her knowledge of the law to support businesses.
“In this role I review employment-related claims, including personal grievances such as unjustified dismissal and unjustified disadvantage claims. We deal with such an interesting variety of cases and it’s fulfilling to support New Zealand business owners from all walks of life. I really enjoy working at Peninsula as I’m fortunate to have such a supportive and friendly team. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow here, while making a real impact on the businesses we support.”
Amazing networking opportunities
Stephanie, who graduated from AUT in 2024, still has fond memories of her time at university and says the amazing networking opportunities were a highlight for her.
“Shadowing in the High Court for our Immigration and Refugee Law course was a standout moment – it reminded me why I chose to study law in the first place. Being on the Mooting Society executive led to even more exciting experiences, like joining the Auckland Women’s Lawyers’ Association as a student and attending the CBA conference.
“I also chose to participate in the Shadow a Leader programme to get a clearer picture of life as a lawyer and which area of law to pursue. I was fortunate to shadow Chris Lee at K3 Legal, where I spent time with both the litigation and property teams and even observed a court appearance. I enjoyed it so much that I returned the next year to shadow Rosemary Wooders at Bell Gully. Seeing the focus and passion for the law reminded me of the bigger picture. I ended up doing Shadow a Leader three times, and each experience gave me a fresh perspective. It even showed me a non-traditional career path for a law graduate at Pead PR.”
She says she was lucky to meet some incredible professionals during her time at AUT who opened her eyes to what a legal career could look like.
“Nirisha from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law partnerships team was a great support. She helped with career advice and networking opportunities, especially when it came to Shadow a Leader. She really took the time to understand our goals and made sure we got the most out of the experience. I also have to mention Deborah Manning, who taught our Immigration and Refugee Law course. Her passion for the field was contagious and she is a positive force for the profession. Professor Allan Beever’s creative analogies and passion for legal theory also left a lasting impression on me. His classes were always engaging and thought-provoking.”
Advice for other students
Stephanie has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.
“Don’t be afraid to sign up for things alone. Everyone’s there for the same reason, and you’ll find that the connections you make are invaluable. The experiences you have outside of the classroom are just as important as what you learn, so make the most of every opportunity to experience life beyond the lecture hall.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to other students.
“At AUT it’s not just about theory – it’s about gaining real-world experience, which has been essential in shaping my understanding of the law and reinforcing the bigger picture. The networking and hands-on experience I gained through AUT are invaluable in my role now. It was through these opportunities that I realised making a meaningful contribution to society is a non-negotiable for my career. AUT helped me identify what I want from my career and gave me the tools to pursue it. Now I feel that I’m making a positive impact in my current role at Peninsula.”
