Students step into community and secure placements

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Students step into community and secure placements

Students step into community and secure placements

Two Master of Applied Management students secured professional work placements within a month of arriving in New Zealand.

AIC Employability Manager Dani Mao accompanied the students, one from Dubai and one from Sri Lanka, to Elevate Christian Disability Trust, where they interviewed for Office Administration and Project Coordinator placement roles.

Yasmin and Kamesh Fernando arrived in New Zealand for the first study block of 2026. Instead of waiting to settle in, they signed up immediately for the Placement Ready Programme, connected with an alumni mentor and applied for a real work placement within weeks.

Recently, they toured the Trust’s Drop-In Centre with Centre Manager Jacqueline Sua and Centre Coordinator Teremoana Va'a. They met the wider team and discussed purpose, contribution and community.

Dani said what stood out most was the students’ confidence.

“It was not because they knew everything. It was because they were prepared.”

The students spoke clearly about why disability advocacy matters, how they hope to contribute to raising awareness, and how gaining local experience will strengthen both their employability and their sense of belonging.

Dani said employability is about more than securing a job.

“It is about stepping into the community early, building cultural and workplace literacy and choosing contribution over hesitation,” she said.

She said their progress reflects a clear mindset shift.

“Placement ready first. Then work ready. Then career ready,” she said.

She also acknowledged Elevate Christian Disability Trust for supporting the initiative and creating opportunities that build both capability and community.

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