Melanie Wilkin, Sophie Parkes, Kennedy Cruickshank and Katrina Christison outside Ōtorohanga College
A smorgasbord of 19 local employers talked careers with 100 Ōtorohanga College year nines at an event nicknamed “careers speed dating” on Monday.
A daycare, district council staffers, a trucking company, a barrister, photographers, beauty therapists, nurses, Inframax construction and an artist: those were just a few who gifted hours of their time to support the kids.
With school pathways liaison kaimahi Kristofer Elkholm ringing the bell every five minutes, it was a buzzing atmosphere as students and businesses connected.
There had been some adult fears that the day might turn out one-sided, with just employers talking and students quiet, but no.
“They’re really participating and asking questions,” Ōtorohanga pathways coordinator Melanie Wilken said.
Why offer it to Year 9s? To help them decide which school subjects would best lead towards their future dreams, Mel said. They would do this next year, in Year 10.
Careers Speed Dating was the brainchild of the Ōtorohanga business development board’s Katrina Christison. She told The News she’d been inspired by a similar event in Te Kūiti, organised by the team at Number 12.
“I thought it was a really cool concept, so I got hold of Mel and said, ‘Can we do it here?’
Katrina said it had been important for businesses to send people who were ex-students of the school.
She didn’t know where the name ‘career speed dating’ came from, but agreed it was fun and definitely got people’s attention.
One of the things that thrilled Katrina was knowing that she was helping build relationships between the businesses and the college.
“We are really showing businesses that there are really cool kids here,” she said.
Students Kennedy Cruickshank and her friend Sophie Parkes, both aged 13, enjoyed taking part.
“I liked learning about all the new jobs, especially in law and accounting,” Kennedy said. She was leaning towards law at this point.
“Those careers are more technical than you might think from the movies.”
“It was a good idea. It helps you think about what’s possibly out there for your career,” she said.
Principal Lyndsay Kurth offered her thanks to Katrina, saying “she pulled it all together.”
“For me, it was a fantastic opportunity for the students. We opened our doors to the businesses and they were nothing but supportive. Today is a classic example, and it’s just amazing.”
