MARAMA NICHOLAS: Agency director for Clyne Model Management
One of my very first paid jobs would have been working in the kiwifruit orchards in Tauranga. As a teenager my brothers and I would work in the orchards each season and would do everything from sorting, packing and stacking boxes of kiwifruit to pollinating flowers and pruning! Family friends own a handful of orchards, so we were always fortunate to have work. The people we are around, our environment and the experiences we learn from "living life" have a huge impact in dictating how we turn out. Had I known this in my teenage years, I may have paid more attention to what/who was around me. Who knows which path/s I would have then taken?! In saying this, I am not one to live life with regret. We live and we hopefully learn!
MEGAN SELLERS: Morning radio host for ZM
My first job was cleaning a bar. That sounds all well and good, but imagine Sunday mornings opening a bar and having to clean those toilets! It wasn't good. The only reason I got that job was because the owner of the bar was my Dad's friend. That's probably how I kept it for so long too. He felt too bad to fire me! I wish that I had known I could do anything. When you are young, and from New Zealand, you tend to think things are out of reach, and there's no way you could possibly do this amazing job you dream of. You can go anywhere and do anything. Just do it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
GEORGIE CLATWORTHY: Finds retail spaces for local and international designers as a co-director of boutique retail leasing consultancy Match Realty
My first job wasn't overly glamorous! I started my career as a property valuer. Prior to completing uni I had a summer internship, upon finishing uni I was awarded a scholarship to join the company. I wish I had known many things back then: have courage and be kind, New Zealand is a small place. Demonstrating initiative and diligence is fundamental in any career development.
DEBRA MILLAR: Publishing director for Penguin Random House New Zealand
I started work as a cadet reporter at The New Zealand Herald in 1982. I recall my first task was to gather the shipping news, which involved walking down to the port each afternoon while braving wolf whistles from port workers, to report on the expected arrival dates and times for ships due into port the next day. From there I'm pleased to say I quite quickly progressed to local council reporting. I had completed a Diploma of Journalism at the then Auckland Institute of Technology and during that course I was sent to the Herald for two weeks work experience. Despite being a desperately shy and somewhat awkward teenager, the Chief Reporter offered me a job when my course finished.
What do I wish I had known then? Where do I begin? I started working at the tender age of 18. I wish I hadn’t been in such a rush and had taken longer to study more widely. Becoming a reporter on a daily newspaper was suddenly quite a serious business, and I think it caused me to grow up too fast.
JOANNA HUNKIN: Head of entertainment for the New Zealand Herald
Aside from a few summer jobs in hospitality and retail, my first real job was at The New Zealand Herald (I have left and come back since then!) It was actually three part-time jobs – as an editorial assistant, archivist and listings editor. It was enough to pay my rent and the rest of the time, I wrote freelance articles for anyone who would take them.
Part of my AUT course involved a two-week internship. I chose to go to TimeOut and managed to arrive at the exact moment one writer went on holiday and another retired. I was thrown in the deep end but managed to stay afloat – and made enough of an impression that I was later approached about a vacant role. There was definitely an element of luck involved but it was mostly down to my attitude. There was never a job too small and I did everything with a smile. Admittedly, a skill I have lost over the years.
To be honest, I look back on my younger self and think ‘My god! How did I do that?’ There was a chutzpah that came from being young and naïve that let me say and do things that I wouldn’t dream of now. Ignorance was bliss and I hadn’t a clue about commercial realities or industry politics. I was also incredibly lucky that the first five years of my career were spent surrounded by very supportive, experienced colleagues who really cared about me and actively mentored me. I didn’t realise at the time how rare that was and it was only once I moved on, I truly appreciated how much they taught me.
GEMMA ROSS: Co-founder of marketing and PR boutique Hustle & Bustle
My first PR job was an internship with public relations maven Jenni Raynish. I was in awe of the amazing work she did for her clients. I had shown interest in getting into the industry and Jenni was kind enough to give me a shot at her pr firm, Raynish & Partners. It was an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business and one I will be forever grateful for. I wish I had known that one day I'd be really thankful to all my mentors over the years, especially the tough ones who pushed me to try harder and as a result gave me the confidence and guts to create a start-up.
KELLIE TAYLOR: Founder and creative director for Moochi
My first role was Assistant Buyer with a big fast fashion chain, targeting a middle-aged customer. I took it thinking I would learn a lot about good industry practice. I didn't last long there as I found the product was too far from my happy place. My second role was with Caroline Sills knitwear and while I was very much the junior in the team I learnt about range building and designing for the customer, as well as how to sell to wholesale accounts.
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Advertise with NZME.I was fortunate to be given a good start but it didn't come easy, I kept getting down to the final two and then not being hired. This happened with quite a few designers who are now, in essence, my competitors which is funny now, but was heart breaking then as I was so passionate and driven to succeed. I wish fashion students today knew that it doesn't matter how many years you study, it's your attitude and understanding of the market that can ultimately get you in the door with a design company.
ANDREA MIDGEN: CEO of SPCA Auckland
I left school after sixth form (year 12) as I wanted to be doing something, not studying and be earning so I worked in a supermarket, as I had done that part-time previously, in the delicatessen, got bored, moved to the butchery department, learnt all I could and got bored again, then got a job in a growing family-owned business in accounts. I moved through all the areas of accounts whilst studying accountancy part time and left to take a Financial Controller's role in a transport company. Back then the usual way was to check out jobs advertised in the Herald and apply – usually they were direct with the company.There are many ways to approach your career. Today everyone seems to believe the only way is to go to university and then start working. I wouldn't change my approach as I learnt how to work whilst studying, hands-on learning all the different jobs in the accounts arena, and I learnt about people. This resulted in me being able to secure a management role as I became qualified with some great skills to support that. I have long since moved away from accountancy, but I wouldn't swap my pathway as it has provided a rock solid foundation for operating in the business world. Today there is so much choice and it is much more common for people to have multiple career /job roles than a generation or two ago.
FIONA RALPH: Internet trader at the Auckland City Mission and freelance writer
My first full-time job was as a marketing assistant at Trelise Cooper — it was a mix of social media, website work, PR and personal assisting. I applied through Seek for a receptionist role which I didn't get, but they kept in touch, and rang up nine months later to offer me this role. Back then I wish I had known how to prioritise and manage my time better! Not that I have it all figured out now, but I'm a lot better.
RICHARD DYKES: Principal of Glendowie College
After studying at Otago University, my first full-time job was working for Shell Oil (NZ) Ltd. I was employed as part of their 'Graduate Employment Scheme' which employed graduates to work across a range of head office roles (planning, marketing, etc) and gradually work your way up the corporate ladder – or not. I approached them by letter (this was pre-email days) along with a number of other firms. There was no advertised vacancy that I was specifically applying for. Luckily for me, someone with the same degree and skillset as me had just resigned and I filled the company's need/vacancy without them having to advertise. I was interviewed and appointed into their graduate employment programme. I worked for Shell Oil in various roles for six years, before choosing to change career and go teaching. While working at Shell I ran youth groups through my church and realised that I loved working with young people.
The world is a better place for the variety of people we have in it and the skills they possess and share. Get out there in work, voluntary organisations (eg sports clubs) and socially … and make the world a better place by you being part of it.
If I was able to talk to my younger self for 10 minutes and give him some advice it would be:
1. Back yourself. You have skills and intelligence. Use them. Trust your own judgement.
2. Take or make opportunities. Always look and listen for ways to do your job better, more efficiently or beyond expectations. It’s more challenging, more fun, and more rewarding.
3. Embrace mistakes. More than just not worrying about making a mistake – expect to make them, embrace them and learn from them. Making mistakes (within reason) means you’re trying new things and pushing boundaries. It means you’re learning and getting better at your job.
4. Focus on others’ needs. Work is about serving others and meeting their needs. Whether you’re doing something for your boss or an external client, pay attention to their needs and meet (surpass) them.