CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS AUT BUSINESS SCHOOL CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS

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1 CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS 1

2 What is Co-operative Education? Co-operative Education is a 9-week (360 hours) work placement for Bachelor of Business students who are in their final year of study. The programme is a formal part of the Bachelor of Business degree and it is an important final step before graduating. Welcome Thank you for your interest in AUT s Co-operative Education programme. We believe in preparing students for their careers through real business experience. Your contribution, providing mentoring and workplace experience to a Bachelor of Business student, is a key component of this process. We hope you and your organisation will also derive benefits from the student you support. We look forward to partnering with you as we equip the next generation of leaders and decision-makers with knowledge of how business and organisations really work. Read on to discover what is involved for you in being part of AUT s Co-operative Education programme. Professor Kate Kearins Dean, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law 2 Through these placements, you help our students gain workplace experience that complements their academic learning and helps them to become effective professionals. They apply what they have learnt to real work situations and challenges, analyse their experiences and respond to feedback. What is unique to the AUT Bachelor of Business programme is that every student is assigned an academic supervisor who mentors them in developing their skillset and preparing for a career in their chosen field. Our students are equipped with the latest business knowledge and new ideas, which they can share with your organisation. Co-operative Education creates a dynamic relationship between employers, students and AUT, and develops valuable networks and future opportunities. What kinds of companies take on students? Key reasons to consider an AUT Co-operative Education student Co-operative Education offers your organisation additional resource and flexibility, and the opportunity to identify and develop future talent for you and your industry. Co-operative Education students can: Provide assistance in busy periods Work on special projects Release existing staff for other duties Cover for staff on leave (eg maternity, secondment etc) Co-operative Education students bring: The latest thinking from their field of study Fresh ideas Enthusiasm A willingness to learn Benefits for society Co-operative Education helps our students develop an understanding of knowledge in practice and the professional context of business. As a result, our graduates are career-ready and better prepared to respond to challenges brought to business by changes in society. Their ability to be adaptable, and agile in their thinking ensures they are well equipped for today s complex working environments. Benefits for AUT Co-operative Education helps to create students that are work-ready when they graduate. This not only adds to their employability but also to the recognition that AUT, as the university for the changing world, is successfully graduating students with a desirable skillset and knowledge base into the competitive marketplace. Due to the high calibre of our business students, many employers offer permanent employment to their Co-operative Education students at the end of the placement. This saves time and costs involved in recruiting new staff and your organisation gains an employee who is already familiar with your mission, values and company culture. Almost any organisation seeking business assistance can take on a Co-operative Education student for a placement. The key is that the placement should be at least 9 weeks, align with one of our intakes (we have 5 each year), and the student must work in a role that gives them opportunity to draw on their chosen major. Whether you are a large or small company, not-for profit, government or private, there are many opportunities for you to link in with our Co-operative Education programme. 3

3 EXPERIENCES OF OUR STUDENTS Gabrielle Wymer Major: Economics & International Business Placement: The Warehouse Group, New Zealand Nathan D Mello Major: International Business & Market Insights: Marketing, Advertising, Retailing, Sales Placement: Valet Apartments, London Luke O Donovan Major: Accounting Placement: Audit New Zealand Clouston Mahon Major: Design & Finance Placement: Lightning Lab, New Zealand I use what I learned at AUT in many aspects of my job, including analysing data and forecasting. However the most valuable skills I gained from my time at AUT were interpersonal and teamwork skills. Teamwork is such an important part of my job, and these skills are crucial now. There are so many opportunities and experiences at AUT. You just need to take the time to look. Spend a semester abroad, join a club and get involved! Make yourself stand out from other graduates. Co-op was without a doubt one of the best experiences I ve had. Going into the placement, I had never been to Europe before and didn t know anyone there. As well as this, I had never really worked in a corporate environment before and had no experience in the marketing and hospitality industry. However in a few short weeks, I came to love the city, people and my job. The Co-operative Education programme was an amazing experience. Though my role I had the opportunity to work with numerous clients in the public sector. I gained a greater understanding of the systems and controls entities have in place to manage their operations as well as further understanding of the public sector as a whole. Overall, the programme helped me develop technical and professional skills. I completed my workplace experience at Lightning Lab, New Zealand s first digitally focused start-up accelerator. Working as a user experience (UX) design intern, I was paired with some of the best in the industry to validate startup ideas and develop products. Once the work placement was over, Lightning Lab used their network to source opportunities for me, and would support my pursuits with references and phone calls to hiring managers. Michael Siaosi Major: Accounting & Economics Placement: BNZ Partners, New Zealand Holly Ellis Major: Human Resource Management & Employment Relations Placement: Vodafone New Zealand Xaviere Murray-Puhara Ngāti Kahungunu Major: Business Information Systems & Management Placement: Air New Zealand Izzy Stangl Major: Design & Market Insights: Marketing, Advertising, Retailing, Sales Placement: Idea Lab, San Diego, USA My Co-operative Education Placement was a fantastic experience. I met and networked with many BNZ employees and clients, discovering the theories and concepts I learned at AUT was everyday language during discussions. I was part of three different teams, which enabled me to use both my economics and accounting majors. What I really liked about the programme was that it allowed you to really think about your own development by setting up goals that would be beneficial in your professional growth. Because of this placement, I was able to show them who I was as a person and as a result will be starting as a BNZ Partners Graduate in I ve been given challenging tasks and experience in my chosen field of study, teaching me new skills. I ve loved my experience working with many different people and working within a team that is dedicated and motivates me to work to the best of my ability. I gained new skills and knowledge, which will benefit me in my future career. I feel co-op has given me this amazing opportunity with such an awesome organisation, giving me a foot in the door working within human resources. The workplace experience in my final year was a great way to apply the theories I had learnt at AUT in the business world. I spent nine weeks at Air New Zealand s head office, working on projects like airpoints for business and the unaccompanied minors airband technology. While I was at Air New Zealand, I made new friends and attended many networking events, thereby developing my communication and networking skills as well as beginning to build my corporate network. What s great about co-op is that it introduces students to the real world. Ironically, my experience as a working adult so far has consisted of playing with Lego, doodling and building prototypes out of Play-Doh. At the Idea Lab, my role is to be a Professional Kid and help others unleash their creativity through using design thinking. My co-op experience has made me realise that I m extremely passionate about what I do and I m exactly where I need to be in order to begin my future career as a design thinker. 4 5

4 WHAT KIND OF WORK CAN STUDENTS UNDERTAKE? Employer s role Length and payment Students need to work in a role that relates to the major/s they are studying. This provides them with experience in their field and gives your organisation the benefit of specialised knowledge and skills. MAJOR Accounting Business Information Systems Design Economics Entrepreneurship and Innovation Finance Human Resource Management and Employment Relations International Business Management Market Insights: Marketing, Advertising, Retailing, Sales Sustainable Enterprise Budgeting, cash flow forecasting, journal entries, preparation of financial statements Accounts receivable billing, reconciliation, debt collection Managing and supporting IT architecture planning Systems procurement and outsourcing Supporting process and systems analysis Assisting with user testing of website service delivery Assisting with developing a plan for service line life-cycle Developing personas to define users of a product or service Investigating the impact of changes in government policies Undertaking cost benefit analysis and calculating returns of investments Supporting product development team for social entrepreneurship Financial analysis of proposed transactions and preparation of information memoranda Supporting HR team in recruitment and remuneration review Auditing OHS systems Developing customer service procedures and manual Aiding in the acculturation processes for expatriates Aiding in the development of international marketing campaigns Market survey / feasibility study Store management and leadership development Manager s assistant work schedules, project management Assisting with projects, research, competitive analysis Creating and implementing a marketing plan across different channels Co-ordinating communication across a range of media Media planning co-ordination Analysis of store design and display Analysis of restrictions and opportunities for franchisees Preparation of quotations Customer and supplier liaison Assisting with environmental and social audits, waste, energy and stakeholder audits Environmental and social reporting Our students can work at an entry or graduate level, as long as they are given instruction and guidance as required. Depending on previous work experience, some students may be able to perform at a higher level. EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN Preparing returns for small businesses Analysing financial performance Analysing and interpreting information Supporting helpdesk, process improvement, documentation, project support, data management Modeling and designing business processes Information systems project management Designing cultural probes to gain insights into customers environments, attitudes and behaviour Creating storyboards that help groups generate and critique ideas Developing design thinking processes Report writing, data analysis, interpreting data Presenting information using economic modelling Developing predictive models of supply and demand for purchasing and merchandising Evaluating business models for consulting firm / venture capitalist Researching of industry sector Foreign exchange Analytics in finance Co-ordinating and updating position descriptions - liaising with relevant managers to identify KSAs and KPIs Documenting key technical skills for different roles Developing of procedures and strategies Developing international pricing policies Managing cross-border relationships Assisting in international strategy management Processes and systems in exporting/importing Developing customer service procedures and manuals Administration and consultancy alongside managers Developing operational recommendations for senior management (eg OHS) Digital marketing Co-ordinating brand activities Creation, development and/or implementation of social media activities Co-ordinating internal and external advertising activities Assisting with strategic planning for client campaigns Growth strategy identification and implementation Vertical integration strategies and opportunities Customer service initiatives Establishing new customers, maintaining existing customers Assessing stakeholder relations and wider impacts Completing projects on environmental and social issues currently and likely to impact organisations Developing of solutions in sustainability As a Co-operative Education employer, you: Provide the resources to do the job safely and effectively at your workplace Need to be aware of AUT s expectations of students during Co-operative Education and encourage the student to meet those expectations Assign a workplace supervisor to the student (this could be yourself or someone to whom you have delegated responsibility). The workplace supervisor oversees the student, gives guidance on the requirements of the job and feedback about the student s performance during the Co-operative Education placement. AUT s role AUT has overall responsibility for students during their Co-operative Education placement. We will: Allocate an academic supervisor to support the student with their programme of study during their Co-operative Education placement Be available to discuss any queries or issues you may have with the employment of a Co-operative Education student before or during the placement. The placement has a minimum requirement of hours that the student must work 360 hours across 9 weeks. The length can be extended depending on the needs of the employer. The start and end dates of the 9-week period are set to align with our university semesters. While payment is not mandatory, we encourage you to consider reimbursement to the student. If you would like guidance on appropriate rates please contact: Kate Coleman Employer Relations Manager (Co-operative Education) kate.coleman@aut.ac.nz 6 7

5 Advertising your placement opportunities Bachelor of Business AUT has a dedicated website that employers and students use to advertise/find work placements ( Once registered, you can upload placement opportunities as they arise, giving you flexibility in managing your resourcing needs. Students often start looking for placements up to 3 months in advance of their Cooperative Education placement dates. The Bachelor of Business is designed to turn today s students into tomorrow s sought-after professionals. Students build a broad understanding of business and develop the specialist skills needed for their career. Students can choose to specialise in a range of areas: Alternative placement options for students Most placements involve students working in a role related to their major field of study, with one organisation, for the duration of their placement. However, a range of alternative employment opportunities are evolving, including: Project-based teams working on business problems (in one or multiple business areas) Virtual business units, where physical resources are limited, but people resourcing is needed Entrepreneurial opportunities where students seek business mentors for support. Accounting Design Economics Entrepreneurship and Innovation Finance Human Resource Management and Employment Relations Information Systems International Business Management Market Insights: Marketing, Advertising, Retailing, Sales Sustainable Enterprise ABOUT At the AUT Business School we seek to inform, inspire and grow great citizens who will make a difference in the world of business and beyond. OUR VISION IS: Transforming lives, transforming business. At the heart of our teaching and research is collaborative engagement with business, the professions and the community. We believe in high quality research that can make an on-the-ground difference, and we have leading strengths in work research, empirical finance, social data analytics, gender and diversity, and occupational health and safety. Significant international connections contribute to a strong global outlook. Our students can undertake an international exchange with some of the best business schools in Europe, Asia, and North America, and AUT is the first university in New Zealand to become a Global Partner of the World Association for Cooperative Education. 8 All AUT Business School disciplines have been ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, and our School is among an elite group of 5% of business schools worldwide with accreditation from AACSB International. 9

6 EMPLOYER QUOTES The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation has supported the AUT Co-operative Education Programme for four years now. We are passionate about providing students with the opportunity to develop professional skills via exciting campaigns that raise funds to support New Zealanders affected by breast cancer. We are a small team with limited resources, so having students working with us during fast-paced campaign periods is invaluable. At the same time, students are exposed to a variety of campaign elements and as a result develop a diverse skillset. Genevieve Marsh Fundraising Campaigns Manager New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation Suitable subject knowledge, involvement in extracurricular activities and good company fit - a combination of personality and motivation - is what we look for when hiring graduates. The AUT Co-operative Education programme has provided us with excellent students, some of whom we ve offered permanent roles. We found that the Co-operative Education students were diligent, willing to go the extra mile, used their learnings to support our work and most of all, fitted in well in our company. Gayle Stichbury HR Manager Jacobsen Creative Surfaces Over the last seven years, Farmers has been involved with the AUT Co-operative Education programme, with many students going on to continue in full-time employment. Their practical focus, motivation and agility in linking theory and practice mean that AUT students are able to hit the ground running. In our programme we expose students to a range of different business activities depending on their major, which gives students and us the opportunity to identify where their interests and expertise lie. Beyond the Cooperative Education placements, we have also been involved in the annual AUT Co-operative Education Showcase and AUT LIVE (AUT s annual open day). These have proved very fruitful in terms of meeting and speed interviewing top business students at varying stages of their degree programme, in addition to sharing the value and importance of this programme with prospective students and their parents. Our relationship with AUT and their Co-operative Education programme is a valuable part of our recruitment processes. Chantel Poasa Recruitment Manager Farmers Trading Company 10 KEY CONTACTS FOR Co-operative Education Jenni Boys Academic Manager jenni.boys@aut.ac.nz Kate Coleman Employer Relations Manager kate.coleman@aut.ac.nz Helene Wilkinson Student Experience Manager helene.wilkinson@aut.ac.nz 11

7 SHADOW A LEADER INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS Recruit GRADUATES APPLIED projects Scholarships Guest LECTURES Alumni INTERNATIONAL WORK PLACEMENTS MBA EXECUTIVE education HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE Contact us with any questions or suggestions you have about working with the AUT Business School. Annie Gandar Manager of Business Relations Annie.gandar@aut.ac.nz ext 5330 COMMISSIONED research Student CLUBS PROFESSIONAL MASTER S DEGREES Student mentor CAREERS FAIR Sponsorships CUSTOMISED PROGRAMMES Advisory BOARD Co-operative education X-Challenge