CHRISTCHURCH:
9 - 11 May 10
DUNEDIN:
16 - 18 May 10
AUCKLAND:
5 - 7 August 10
WELLINGTON:
15 - 17 August 10
An opened mind at Expo gives student a dream career
More than 50,000 job-seekers will pass through the Coca-Cola Careers Expo gates over the course of the annual event series in Christchurch, Dunedin Auckland and Wellington his year. A former Year 12 Sacred Heart student, Sarah Leitner, talks us through why she went to the Careers Expo and how it changed her life.
Sarah arrived at the Careers Expo with a somewhat vague idea of what she wanted to do when she left school.
“I thought I wanted to study zoology or maybe join the Police Academy but I really didn’t know. I went to the Careers Expo so that I could get some real world advice to hopefully help make this decision a little more clear.”
Like many visitors who tour through Expo’s exhibits, Sarah discovered that there was a whole other world of options available to her that weren’t even on her radar.
“Careers Expo totally opened my mind up to a lot of places and careers that I had never heard of. It was all the little, niche type of exhibits that showed me there was more to life than just going to the local university,” says Sarah.
Sarah was specifically impressed with the stand showcasing the International College of Hotel Management.
“I had never seen a Hotel Management School before and I was really surprised to see an international exhibit at the Expo. Australia had always interested me, and after talking with Neil Lambie who was hosting the exhibit, I was convinced that this was what I wanted to do,” adds Sarah.
Neil Lambie is the New Zealand representative for the International College of Hotel Management and remembers talking with Sarah and her mother during their visit to the Careers Expo.
“Sarah and her mother were particularly interested in finding out about how Sarah’s skills and love for travel could give her a successful career in the food and beverage industry,” says Neil.
The Careers Expo provides one-on-one access to professionals who have real-world experience in the industry, which is something Neil believes is critical for students endeavouring to make career and training decisions.
“As an exhibitor, I believe my role is to provide students with the tools and advice necessary to better equip them in their decision making. I give them the facts so they are completely prepared to weigh up what is most appropriate for their career path,” says Neil.
Neil advises students to go to the Expo with a bit of prior preparation.
“If students go to the Expo with questions, not just a shopping trolley, and I mean really pertinent questions, they will gain in depth knowledge for what is relevant to their potential career,” he says. “Careers Expo gives you the tools to make a well rounded decision.”
Currently in her second year at the International College of Hotel Management, Sarah believes the Career Expo led her on her path to her dream career and urges other students to go with good questions, and with an open mind.
“It was the best decision I ever made and I would never have known about it if it wasn’t for attending the Careers Expo,” says Sarah.
“It’s definitely worth the trip!”
