Willingness to learn and a can-do attitude are essential for succeeding in the New Zealand workforce, according to a recent graduate who is now working for a property management company.

Jie (Jenny) Yang came to New Zealand in February 2018 to study the Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing at OPAIC.

Having completed a real estate degree and worked in the sector for many years in China, she knew she wanted a change and started thinking about studying overseas.

“New Zealand is the first country I thought about moving to,” she says.

New Zealand appealed to Jenny because the cost of study here is affordable. She also loves nature and enjoys skiing.

“The nature is pure, and the people are pure as well,” she says.

But there was also an element of destiny at play. When friends heard she was considering studying in New Zealand, they introduced her to somebody who grew up in her hometown and had been living in Auckland for six years. They thought he could provide some advice about the country.

“But we fell in love. So, it must be destiny to meet and come to New Zealand,” says Jenny.

After meeting her future husband, Jenny worked on her English, passed the proficiency test, and received an offer to study at OPAIC.

She immersed herself in New Zealand life as soon as she arrived, becoming part of her local Community Patrol and OPAIC Student Ambassadors, which gave her great opportunities to meet others and practice her English.

OPAIC recommended a Chinese company called GRALIN Property Management for her industry project, where she could put her real estate background to use.

The company offered her a part-time job after she completed her industry project. That turned into a full-time job as Office Administrator and Assistant Property Manager after she graduated.

Jenny says students shouldn’t expect to begin their New Zealand career in senior roles. It’s more important to get a foot in the door then continue to improve themselves and their English abilities.

The most important thing is for students to be keen to learn, and to have a can-do attitude, she says.