#EmployerMeets - Interview with Quinn
With the postponement of our August #EmployerMeet event at Paraparaumu College due to COVID-19 alert level changes, we decided to take this time to sit down (over email of course!) and interview Quinn a previous attendee, to get a youth perspective on the impact and opportunities that attending an #EmployerMeet event presents!
What interested you in attending the #EmployerMeets events?
I was interested in the #EmployerMeets as at the time I didn’t have any part-time work, as my past job had closed down. I also really enjoy talking to new people (and free pizza) so I thought the event would be perfect, I had nothing to lose!
Did you meet anyone who inspired you to look into other employment options?
At the time I really wanted to be a lawyer and was able to meet with Bryan Gundersen, a retired lawyer. I found this really helpful for finding out more about long time work. However, I did meet with a few employers who made me think about different employment opportunities for part-time employment.
Was it beneficial to be able to talk to people from a wide range of backgrounds?
I found it super beneficial to talk to people from a wide range of backgrounds. I think as someone who has always known I wanted to go to university, the interview environment was something I hadn’t really thought about entering, as it felt so far away. However, after attending the #EmployerMeet I thought a lot more about what the interview environment would be like in my future career path, and how I can best prepare myself to be the best candidate when it comes time to interview for long term employment.
Were you able to practice your networking skills?
Oh, 100%, I don’t think I have ever attended, or heard of an event that was set up so perfectly to introduce youth to the world of networking and interviews. The #EmployerMeets placed me in a situation where I had to talk about myself positively to people I didn’t know. It is a completely different environment when it is people you don’t know when you aren’t comfortable with something. But I feel like this is the safest, most encouraging place where something like this can occur.
Did you learn skills you've used after the #EmployerMeets events?
For sure! I have since applied for and successfully gained a role at a retail place of employment. Having had no retail experience I had to use the same interview skills I developed in the #EmployerMeets to express how although I didn’t have retail specific experience how my past experience and characteristics would make me perfect for this role.
Would you recommend attending to future students?
Definitely! I mean why wouldn’t you? I always try to operate on the idea that if there is nothing negative that can come from an experience you should always give it a go because all you have to gain is a positive experience. I think the #EmployerMeets are a once in a lifetime opportunity for youth, and super important especially considering they target youth who are entering employment, or who have already entered the workforce. I myself gained a job from this event, and know many others who have, what is there to lose!
Do you think students who have a set idea of what they want to do would benefit from attending?
For sure, I mean as I have explained I entered this event only looking at being a lawyer, however, some of the most important connections I made during this event were with people who were not in the law sector. I also think no matter what you are wanting to do in your future every single role requires an interview, so why not get in some practice?
Any other comments?
Just to get out there, put yourself out of your comfort zone!
Sound like a bit of you? Want to book in a slot for our future #EmployerMeets events keep an eye on our socials and website for registration links!
Paraparaumu College - Postponed - new date to be released soon!
Ōtaki College - 16th September
Community Event - 30th September
