Within weeks of finishing his Bachelor of Computing Systems, EIT graduate Josh Kelly found himself weighing up two “amazing” job offers.

A Christchurch-based IT services provider offered him an IT graduate technician’s position after appraising some 160 applicants. At the same time, he and a similar number of applicants were seeking entry into Datacom’s graduate programme in Wellington.  A day after a final, face-to-face panel interview with four company managers, he was invited to accept one of just five openings.

Having sought independent advice and considered the relative merits of both, Josh decided on the Datacom job. When notified, the other company emailed to say that, while disappointed about missing out on “a promising graduate”, they were more than happy to be a fall-back position should he change his mind.

“What a ride!” the 22-year-old says of this impressive start to his career.

Josh’s interest in computers was piqued when he was a student at Taradale High School. Not wanting to feel under pressure in choosing his future direction, he took a gap year to travel and work part-time.

“IT was a clear choice for me in the end,” he says. “I like that it always changes.  That’s exciting, I think – no two days are the same.”

When his parents moved to Australia, Josh chose to remain in Hawke’s Bay to study at EIT. “I didn’t want to rely on them in any way,” he says. “I wanted to make them proud.”

Family members will travel from Australia to join him in the graduation celebration.

Josh says EIT provided a positive, relaxed atmosphere and a good learning environment.

“The personal interaction you have with lecturers is a massive help and learning from them is good. I had no problem asking them questions or for assistance.”

He agrees that the two great job offers testify to the quality of his degree, and he largely puts that down to the experience he gained in his final degree year, working as an intern at Spark Digital in Napier.

“Programme coordinator David Skelton has many contacts in Hawke’s Bay and that’s very valuable for students who benefit from real-world work experiences.”

After living leanly during his student years, Josh has moved into a Mt Cook flat with three other professionals and is looking forward to saving for a deposit on a house. “I think property is something I will get into in the long term.”

He also hopes his job will lead to opportunities to relocate to Australia.

“If I can progress and move I will take that,” he says. “I see myself doing a lot of travel in the future.”