Peter Chai

National Diploma in Quantity Surveying

National Diploma in Construction Management

China

Otago Polytechnic helped give Peter Chai the experience he needed to land a job in the construction industry.

The new graduate says he didn’t come from a construction background but had always wanted to be involved in the field.

He started looking at options for studying construction and realised Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland International Campus (OPAIC) was a great place to get started.

OPAIC suited Peter well. He says he enjoyed the small group discussion environment.

Most of his classes had fewer than 20 students. That meant he had plenty of opportunities to communicate with lecturers whenever he had questions to ask.

“Being in a small class, having the ability to talk to our lecturers has been a great help with my study experience in Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland campus.”

Peter says the campus is small but efficient and the AIC community is tight-knit. He could easily track down lecturers and support staff when he needed them.

With the help of OPAIC’s placement office, he secured an internship in Auckland.

He studied hard and performed so well for his internship company that they decided to employ him.

Peter has just relocated to the company’s Christchurch office. He will start his new job with the title of graduate quantity surveyor, helping to provide solutions to earthquake damage.

On top of his study success, Peter has adapted well to the New Zealand life-style.

“Since I came to New Zealand two years ago, I immediately started to realise how blessed we are to have such a friendly environment.”

He began getting involved in outdoor activities, such as running, which has both physical and mental benefits.