Rajinder Singh

Bachelor of Applied Management

India 

A singer, songwriter, and aspiring business owner has completed his Bachelor of Applied Management degree with a new sense of confidence and drive to achieve his goals.

Rajinder Singh says he’s gained theoretical knowledge and practical experience during his degree, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. He said the experience has shaped his personal growth and helped him build resilience and self-belief.

Rajinder arrived in New Zealand in 2022 and attended his first class on the very day he landed. Being in a completely new environment without family support initially made him nervous and uncertain.

Fortunately, he met Rajeev Chawla, a supportive and knowledgeable lecturer, who guided him through his courses, explained the expectations, and helped him understand the structure of his studies.

“His assistance provided the confidence I needed to navigate this new phase of my life successfully,” says Rajinder.

During his academic journey, Rajinder particularly enjoyed the Leadership in Action, Entrepreneurship, and Consumer Behaviour classes, and performed well in those subjects.

“These courses not only enhanced my theoretical knowledge but also encouraged practical application, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which proved invaluable during my internship.”

That internship was with City Forex Exchange this year. Employability Manager, Dani Mao, helped connect him with the opportunity, and he was offered the position within half an hour of interviewing for it.

“Initially, I felt nervous due to limited computer experience and English not being my first language,” says Rajinder.

However, through consistent support from his supervisor, he quickly became proficient in the systems and comfortable in handling customer interactions.

“Over time, my communication skills improved, and I gained confidence in managing various responsibilities.”

Rajinder says he developed essential workplace skills during his internship, including customer service, active listening, patience, adaptability, and maintaining composure under pressure. He says the internship not only enhanced his professional skills but also significantly contributed to his personal growth, resilience, and self-confidence.

Now that Rajinder has finished his degree, one of his goals is to start his own business just like his father, a retired military officer, who owns a transport company in India.

“Watching him operate his business, manage orders, and lead people with discipline and respect inspired me greatly. I admire his hard work and determination, and I aspire to follow in his footsteps by starting my own transportation business here in New Zealand,” says Rajinder.

Rajinder’s other goal is to make his way as a singer and songwriter. His passion for music began when he started writing poetry. His sister’s encouragement gave him confidence to continue writing.

“In 2019, I wrote my first song and performed it during my college festival. The song, titled Kalli Range (Black Range Rover), was about a girl proposing to a boy, and it received a very positive response from everyone. That moment motivated me to continue pursuing my love for music.”

Since then, he’s written more than 15 songs. He says his songwriting focuses on real-life emotions, love, and human experiences.

“Songwriting has become a meaningful part of my life and a creative outlet where I can share my thoughts and emotions freely.”