Isla
Customer Experience Graduate
I was born in Auckland and have lived here all my life apart from the four years I spent down in Dunedin studying for university.
My studies
I studied a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and Management and a Diploma in Human Resource Management at the University of Otago.
My pathway
I saw the Auckland Transport Graduate applications advertised online and applied virtually whilst at uni. I started at AT as a Customer Experience grad, but I am currently also working in Culture and Transformation (HR). This has given me the opportunity to try out both areas of my degree (Marketing and HR) and learn across different teams, whilst beginning to find out what I enjoy doing.
Why Auckland Transport
I think working for an organisation that has the ability to positively impact the community was something I looked for when applying for jobs. Getting to actually see work that AT does out there is an awesome thing to be part of. The structure and flexibility of the graduate programme stood out to me, the ability to not be restricted to one area/division of an organisation was something I was interested in when beginning my career.
My favourite part of Nga Kaihoe
My favourite part of being a Ngā Kaihoe graduate is going through this programme with 30+ others who are all beginning their careers and working out what they like. We get to compare and share stories and create so many relationships across the business.
My opportunities
I have already been given so many opportunities to see the variety of work that AT does that I had no idea we did before I started here. My home team – Community Transport do amazing work engaging and supporting the community. I want to help showcase the cool work teams in the company are a part of to the rest of Auckland. We are also given so many opportunities for learning and development and chances to try a range of different teams. Leaders encourage us to branch out to work anywhere that interests us and I think this is an opportunity other graduate programme’s do not necessarily offer.
My favourite AT value
Whanaungatanga – We connect. I think this value is seen across both the work I have witnessed teams doing engaging with our communities. As well as how we as an organisation connect with each other. Everyone works together collaboratively, and I have learnt so much from being able to connect with different people.
My advice for graduates to Ngā Kaihoe
Ask lots of questions and get out of your comfort zone!