Students and alumni enjoyed an evening of networking, advice, and inspiration at our Alumni Mentoring Forum last night.

The event began with keynote addresses by Academic Director Russell Harray and Asian Family Services Deputy Director Ivan Yeo.

Russell talked about what a great opportunity the event was for students to learn from the journey alumni had been through. Ivan talked about the importance of knowing your worth and what you can offer, and how to stand out.

The keynote speakers were followed by an alumni panel discussion with our graduates Business Analyst Zhan (Johanna) Dong, SaaS Account Manager Raul Penaranda Jr, and Corporate Sustainability Advisor Karl Ipong.

Raul spoke of the importance of networking and of volunteering in order to gain local experience. He told us about how he began his New Zealand volunteering journey online during the pandemic before even arriving in the country.

Johanna spoke about the importance of identifying your true passions and interests and following that inner voice. You could then pursue self-learning and certifications in that area, she said.

Karl told us learning never stops and spoke about his mindset of always being up for a challenge. He said everything the polytechnic offers would help students in their career journeys.

Following the alumni panel, we watched some videos students had produced for their ‘Showcasing my Employability’ video competition. The event concluded with dinner and networking.