The idea of speed networking is not new, but can be very overwhelming and scary for many. Imagine trying to make a great first impression in the space of a few minutes? On Monday I took group of year 13 students to the Got a Trade! SpeedMeet event at Glenfield College, where students got to…
Tag: advice
Prepare, prepare, prepare
Last week I received an email from a student to tell me that he was offered an apprenticeship and would be starting immediately. Woo hoo! The news was all the more satisfying, because I knew how determined and prepared the student was in making this moment happen. Back story… I had a career session with…
What songs ‘sing’ to your career?
I’m feeling a tad whimsical so I got thinking about the songs that capture the essence of my career journey to date. Rather than think about the lyrics and hidden meanings, I’ve simply focussed on song titles. Can you relate? Or what other songs sing to your career?!
Say no to plastic #PlasticFreeNZ
This month is Plastic Free July and here are eights ways I will show my support for this important movement and cause… I will use reusable bags for groceries (must remember to leave a stash in my car). #banthebag I will use a reusable cup for my daily coffee. Personally I love ‘KeepCup’ as I…
I have type 2 diabetes. A bittersweet tale.
I have type 2 diabetes. There. I’ve said it. Since the start of the year, I was diagnosed with diabetes and it came as a real shock; “Isn’t it the condition that unhealthy people get?” I remember thinking at the time. Diabetes was the thing I used to joke about. After downing a big piece…
Kaboom! Pow! Bang!
Much like Batman in his quest to overthrow absurdly named villains, I have been been actively punching and kicking for the past 19(!) years. I was first introduced to shadowboxing classes back in 1999, when I accompanied my sister and brother-in-law to the Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre in Mangere. They raved on about this…
Building a pathway to success #tradesforme
Carpentry. Painting and decorating. Brick and block laying. Aluminium joinery. Furniture and cabinet making. Concreting. These are a few of the trades that secondary school students got to experience during the BCITO #tradesforme School Activity Day last week. Held at the grounds of Alexandra Racecourse and featuring students from all over Auckland, the purpose was…
Beyond 2000
What were you doing in the year 2000? I remember how it started very clearly… I was down at the Viaduct for the Millennium celebrations and the weather was wet and drizzly. The clock struck midnight and the Skytower exploded with fireworks. POW! BANG! It was such a pity that the rain dampened them very…
A ship named Pearl
Last year I blogged about my experience cruising through the Pacific Ocean. What I totally forgot about was the poem I wrote during my cruise and I stumbled across it today. I wrote a limerick containing 20(!) verses, all describing the cruise ship journey. It was amazing to see how easy and natural it…
Pacific pride in Aotearoa
As a child of Pacific heritage growing up in 1980s/90s New Zealand, I can honestly say that a diverse range of Pacific role-models was not obvious or well-known. High profile role models tended to come from the sporting arena; Michael Jones, Jimmy ‘Thunder’ Peau, Rita Fatialofa, Olo Brown, Ana Noovao, Pat Lam to name a…
Career Coffee Chats 