What career advice is available at AUT?

Society is changing daily and employment opportunities are constantly evolving, particularly after the impact of COVID-19. To prepare our students and graduates for a positive start to their career journey, AUT offers advice and access to unique learning experiences.

Our goal is to provide students with knowledge, skills and contacts to enable them to find their pathway to future success. Currently, 90% of AUT undergraduate students complete a work placement or internship as part of their degree.

Did you know AUT has a dedicated Employability and Careers team whose role is to guide and support your child into the career of their choice? AUT recognises the importance of offering employability and career support and opportunities during university so students can plan their future before they join the workforce. The team helps students develop highly employable skills, applicable knowledge, professional connections and confidence. Once they make their way out into the world, we’ll still have their back as AUT continues to offer career support for two years after graduation.

_{AUT has a dedicated team to help students and graduates explore and find their career pathway.}

What is the Employability Lab?

AUT’s Employability Lab is located at the City Campus. The lab is staffed by dedicated employability and career specialists who work closely with students to help them consider their career options and develop skills desired by employers. This includes assisting students and graduates, through workshops and individual appointments, to learn more about their strengths and skills within their chosen career pathways.

Workshops and presentations run regularly to help students improve their CVs and LinkedIn profiles, and develop strong job search, networking and interview techniques. Students and graduates can make one-on-one appointments on Zoom or in person if they want to have an individual career chat with an Employability and Careers specialist. Workshops are also available on campus or online through Zoom with a strong focus on advising students and graduates about online job search and online interviews to match the current climate.

_{Students attending an Employability Lab workshop prior to the COVID-19 lockdown.}

AUT has ongoing partnerships with a wide variety of employers. We bring industry partners onto campus, setting up networking opportunities that can often lead to work experience or work placements for students. Making connections with employers and organisations can help students take their first step towards achieving their long-term career goals. The Employability and Careers team work hard to ensure students and graduates are well prepared and confident for these interactions.

AUT students wanting to access the Employability and Careers service are very welcome to visit us in person at the Employability Lab on City Campus or at North and South Student Hubs. Alternatively, they can book into workshops, set up appointments or look for jobs through Elab Online, our online portal to all our employability and career services.

Elab Online is the perfect place to seek jobs and view resources on CVs, job search and interview techniques.

This comprehensive range of support and networking opportunities give AUT students and alumni an extra edge in the job market.

_{Traditionally AUT students have met with future employers' face to face at career fairs.} 

What about other opportunities AUT offers students to gain experience and develop into the job market?

AUT students can also gain valuable experience by putting themselves forward for volunteering, mentoring and leadership roles. One way to do this is through the AUT Edge Award or the Beyond AUT Award (for postgraduate students). These awards which are open to all students and formally acknowledged on students' academic transcript, foster employability skills through a programme of volunteering, leadership and workshops. The programme builds up excellent life and work skills and is a significant achievement for students to include on their CV or LinkedIn profile.

Students can also take on a role as a student ambassador - another great experience to add to their CV skillset. They’ll gain paid employment as well as free personal development workshops and networking opportunities.

AUT has been rated as a 5-star university by world university rankings organisation QS and received 5 out of 5 stars for Employability. AUT takes the role of future career options for students very seriously. Our goal is always to make AUT students to make the most of the opportunities on offer, and to feel confident and prepared to take on the world of work.