In 2004 Lichelle Meyer graduated from EIT Hawke’s Bay with a Bachelor of Business Studies, double majoring in Marketing and Human Resources.
Lichelle started studying Tourism at EIT but soon realised that her heart lay in the business area. She soon changed to the open entry programme New Zealand Institute of Management – Small Business Management.
Because of Lichelle’s tenacity to succeed, she staircased into the Diploma in Marketing and Diploma in Applied Management the following year. In 20 00, Lichelle started her Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) and by studying extra courses, Lichelle has achieved a double major.
There’s no doubt that Lichelle is a young woman who is focused on learning all that she can. While finishing her BBS, she started studying for a Diploma in Psychology by correspondence to compliment her skills in Management and Marketing.
With her goal to work in human resource management or in marketing, and with her broad knowledge and determination to succeed, Lichelle will achieve her goals.Lichelle’s advice to anyone starting out, “Study as much as you can. Take the opportunity to study extra courses so that you can have a much wider scope.”
Having experience by completing her Industry Based Learning course, part of the Bachelor of Business Studies, doors have opened for Lichelle. She researched the appraisal system at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. By completing this project to a high standard, Lichelle earned the opportunity to present her findings to the Tenth Labour, Employment and Work Conference. This event is open to people who have completed research in the labour/employment arena. Lichelle says “The Industry Based Learning paper provided me with a good practical learning experience”.
Lichelle is now employed as the Marketing Co-ordinator at PDL Electronics.
Zaine Achieves First Class Honours Zaine Mitchell credits his initial motivation to learn more te reo to his Grandma, Ngahuia Matairangi. Her bilingualism and knowledge provided a role model to which Zaine aspired.
His own desire to do well in his studies carried him through four and a half years of study at EIT Hawke�´s Bay. Zaine started with the open entry Te Reo Certificate programme and then progressed into the degree programmes. Zaine�´s thirst for more knowledge kept him going to complete his Bachelor of Arts Honours (M?ori) with first class honours. Zaine is the first graduate out of three cohorts to claim this glory.
Studying has definitely been a balancing act. Working hard and staying motivated has been Zaine�´s focus.
Highlights have included the powhiri process at EIT. The whole has definitely been greater than the sum of the parts for Zaine. The preparation, the manaaki process, singing and looking after guests have all contributed to fantastic memories for Zaine.
The learning process and building on past knowledge has given Zaine strength. ”Te Manga M?ori provides a good whanau-based support system which helps to carry you through your moments of doubt,” says Zaine.
”Sometimes the sacrifices are hard. Giving up going to the beach, socialising, and sport, have been particularly difficult but IÃ?´ve made lifelong friends with other students and teaching staff. IÃ?´ve picked up my softball again, and now I can work hard on my fitness,” says a motivated Zaine. HeÃ?´s now considering his future. Some of ZaineÃ?´s options are to become an interpreter, a media journalist or pursue his PhD. He knows that he has passion for M?ori cultural based work.
No doubt with his commitment, effort and focus, Zaine will achieve
Karen Gordon - Therapeutic Recreation
PASSIONATE ABOUT PEOPLE - OFFERING PURPOSE AND HOPEKaren has always wanted to help people in a constructive way. A few years ago, a friend from high school days, who was studying for a Bachelor of Nursing at EIT Hawke�´s Bay, told Karen that she�´d found the perfect course for her - the Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation. It filled the gap between Nursing and Recreation and Sport - so she enrolled at EIT and never regretted it!
The programme offered her numerous different opportunities. ”The tutors are knowledgeable and willing to provide ongoing professional advice and resources. The content of the course was ideal and useful for my future direction. With every single paper I enrolled for, I had the opportunity to put the theory into practice. I completed an extensive 1050 hours of community placement during the three years I studied. The placements provided hands-on experiences like running aquatic programmes for people with arthritis, setting up an individual treatment plan for a girl with Autism and working alongside professionals in a hospital rehabilitation setting.”
Previously, Karen has taught English in Japan, worked at Hohepa Homes, helped organise holiday programmes and worked as a volunteer on camps and outdoor activities with the YMCA, Outward Bound, and more recently, Camp Quality.
”Since graduating, I can do so much more to help and empower the individuals I work alongside. The knowledge I have gained has given me additional confidence at a professional level,” she says.
In her current role as Lifestyles Co-ordinator at MASH Trust in Palmerston North, Karen is responsible for creating leisure, recreation and education programmes primarily for individuals who experience mental health issues, and also people experiencing physical and intellectual disabilities.
Karen maintains, ”YouÃ?´ll get out of life what you put into it.” Her favourite quote currently is ”The only person who has a disability, is the one with a bad attitude.”
Qualification:Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation
Other employment possibilities:Home health consultation
Community integration services
Collaboration with Iwi health-care initiatives
Dream Job…”You need to enjoy hands-on work.”
Derek Clarke - WinemakerBeing a practical person, Derek saw the opportunity to get into the mushrooming wine industry in 1996 - a far cry from his London-based job as a courier driver. He started his tertiary education with EIT�´s Certificate in Grapegrowing and Winemaking, and then staircased into the Bachelor of Viticulture, graduating in 2002.
Derek is now the winemaker at Moana Park, a new winery in Puketapu. He liaises with the vineyard manager and co-ordinates the modular plans. He particularly enjoys the instant feedback from the public at the cellar door during wine tasting.
According to Derek, ”ItÃ?´s important to understand the physical side of the wine business. You need to enjoy hands-on work from grape handling to using the tractor trimmer.”
The wine industry offers exciting career opportunities with constantly changing technology and techniques. Derek is currently completing the Wine Science degree at EIT.
What started out as a hobby for Derek, has exploded into a dream come true.