Bachelor of Applied Management

Amy Williams - Project Management

“I’m Client Assistant here at Perpetual Guardian and I love the flexibility of the role. It includes client and staff communication and analysis of data. I chose the Project Management option for my degree and that choice seemed a positive point of interest at my job interviews.”

“Another big advantage on my CV was that during our course we were out interacting with local businesses with our industry projects. Mine was with a start-up business and I loved that our study was in a social environment.”

“There are several aspects of direct relevance from the course training to what I do in my work here. Because our assignments were done as a team, we learnt the skills and communication of teamwork which I can apply to our team environment here. Time management and scheduling are crucial to my role here in order to motivate myself and other people, and it was a key component of the Project Management study option. Working accurately with numbers and data is essential in business and finance, as is working with business info systems and being tech savvy. And our course also gave us good communication and presentation skills that I use here every day.”

“My first job after graduating was a summer contract at the Regional Economic Development Agency and that gave me a good understanding of business and data analysis. I’ve been working here at Perpetual Guardian since early 2016 and in that time I’ve become even more confident that I can present myself professionally and be respectful in a wide range of situations. My interpersonal skills have really developed and I’m enjoying being part of our team here. I’m learning as much as possible in every situation and I learn something about the world of business every day.”

Aaron Hooper - Applied Management

“After 20 years in the banking industry I wanted a change. I was concerned that I didn’t have a degree so was more susceptible to the ebb and flow of the tides of employment. We have a young family so I wanted to secure their future, plus I made a decision to move away from the corporate world. We sold a house in Auckland which enabled funding for me to do the degree.”
 
Aaron Hooper was surprised at how easy the tutors made it for him as a mature student to re-enter study. “The processes were so streamlined and the tutors are so accessible and passionate about their subject.”
 
They can also be challenging. Aaron - “They challenged us sometimes to change our way of thinking. As part of the course we had to audit a small business. This forced us out of our comfort zone because we had to create new relationships and networks which were part of building our future.”
 
Aaron completed his Bachelor of Applied Management last year and got a job in February working as an accountant with a Whangarei accounting firm. “What we learned is very practical in terms of everyday business use. I’m directly applying the financial accounting, management, and taxation that we studied.”
 
Deciding to get his degree has led Aaron on a continuing progressive pathway.  He is now studying one more accountancy paper to endorse his degree. “My second step is to become a chartered accountant, and then potentially I will be able to get a partnership with a firm or go out on my own.”
 
“I was 39 when I started my study so my career path has been different from most. I’ve learnt that we’re never too old to change, to learn, and to progress. Don’t let age ever become a barrier.”

Find out more about NorthTec's Applied Management programmes

Nardus Kroese - Accounting

“Nearly everyone needs an accountant, so my Applied Management degree has opened a world of opportunity for me.” Nardus arrived in Whangarei at age 14 from South Africa and has wanted to be an accountant since high school. “My Mum was an accountant but this training has introduced me to a broader skill set than I expected.”

“I loved all the accounting content but the managerial papers really helped me develop as a person and improve my communication skills. I was asked to be student rep for the business sector of NorthTec and I loved the interaction with students from all different courses. I met my networking crew through this and we worked as a team to set up student events like end of year dinners.”

Nardus reminds local people to look locally for tertiary study. “Being at a small polytechnic like NorthTec can be such an advantage. The classes are small so you get one-on-one input, plus you can save money by studying from home.” 

During the last year of his degree Nardus got the opportunity to work in the financial department of NorthTec. “There is an interview process and the idea is for students to see how the business runs. The experience really helped with the position I’ve now got at Fonterra as Business Services Officer in the accounts payable team. I thank all my friends, family and tutors who have assisted me on this journey.”

“Doing the Applied Management degree opened my eyes to the different specialties within accounting – like tax, auditing, and managerial accounting. I’m keen to become a Chartered Accountant and will probably decide between managerial and financial accountancy. Being with Fonterra gives me a great chance to get experience as well as options for stepping up.”

Eloise Neeley - Applied Management

“I chose to study at NorthTec because I wanted to study locally, get the degree I had always wanted, meet Northland people and get back into my community. Studying at NorthTec for me achieved that and more. I just really loved it and had brilliant tutors who continue to support me even after I have left.”

Fiona Taylor - Accounting

“The reason I did the business study was to get validity and pay equality for the business experience I already had, plus I wanted to get more into management. I previously had a strong background in business and accounting. I had been a PA for a power company, we had a security business, my parents ran a skating rink, and I now work full time for a business in town. Getting the business qualifications gave recognition and value to that experience.”

“Because I work full time, I did my studies part time at home and I finished my degree at the end of 2016. During my study time I was engaged and couldn’t find a venue that I wanted to get married in, so for my industry study project I researched wedding venues. We had an under-utilised, beautiful site here so I’ve now started a business offering our property as a wedding venue.”

“The aspects of the NorthTec course that provided huge value to my wedding business idea, were the marketing and research papers I had to complete. I did a survey on Facebook of other wedding venues, priced out marquees, tepees and permanent buildings, and was in touch with both the Chamber of Commerce and Northland Inc and other venues located in Kumeu, an area similar to my location. As a result I now run two entrepreneurial businesses – one offering the wedding venue and the other one for a B&B that I started here in early 2016. The initial idea for the B&B was that the bride could stay here as part of the wedding venue package.”

“My next step is to get the official sign-off on what we have done so far, and in the meantime I’ll focus on creating the gardens and environment, and then plan our next small building which will be a shack-themed shed that we can use as a bar.”

“I’m at an exciting phase of the project now and if I hadn’t done the degree I wouldn’t be in this position. I still work full time but I have Fridays off so I have three days to concentrate on my own businesses – Willows on Abbey and Abbey Barn B&B.” 

“I look forward to creating the next stage of the project and I love seeing the pleasure my clients get from the experience here. That in itself is a rich reward.”

Gina Brighouse - Applied Business Management

“I tossed up between studying architecture or business management here and chose business management because it applies to any industry and can be used in any country.”

But it took Gina seven years to get her degree in applied Business Management. “I did two years full time then went out and got some real world experience. I walked the street and knocked on doors and someone offered me work as a junior in an accountancy office simply because I did that. They paid for my studies and gave me time off so that I could stairs-step from the certificate to other diploma, to the degree.”

Learning isn’t easy for Gina. “I am dyslexic so I have to really put in the hours. I was home-schooled and then did correspondence so even sitting in a classroom was a new experience for me. Initially I started with the degree but I freaked out so went back and started at certificate level. The tutors here were very very helpful. They liked me because I worked hard and they got me lots of extra help.”

After Gina completed her degree she continued to study part time until she became Certified Practising Accountant (CPA). She now works as a senior accountant with a local firm. “Accountancy is a highly sought after skill with a broad application, so getting my degree has given me the security that my skills will always be relevant. I am now broadening my experience, and ultimately I’d like to be a partner in an accounting firm.”

Gina highly recommends that people get some real life experience before settling into study. “It makes what you’re learning real and gives your student life more balance.”

Find out more about NorthTec's Bachelor of Applied Management

Jaswant Minhas - Business Management

“I’m really glad I decided to study at NorthTec. All the tutors are great, they’re from all over the world and it was really good to work with them. It was much easier studying locally because I learned all that I could have learned in Auckland, but without the travel and the inconvenience.

“Being a business owner, it was great for me to have some classes in the evenings and some in the mornings – it meant I could study around my business commitments.

“I think more people should study locally in Northland - I would encourage anyone to study at NorthTec. It’s just as good as studying in Auckland and you don’t need to travel.”

Jaswant, who owns and runs three Indian restaurants in Northland, was planning to study in Auckland, but after seeing the programmes on offer at NorthTec he decided to stay local for a one-year NZIM (New Zealand Institute of Management) Diploma in Management.

Regina Rapata - Applied Management

“I was nervous yet excited approaching the final aspect of my degree, the Co-operative Education Project, as I didn’t know which project to choose from. In 2017, a new ‘Internship Program’ was established as a practicum element for business students to work in an employment setting. The internship enabled me to apply all the knowledge and skills I learnt and to gain first-hand experience working alongside business professionals and clients”.

“I had the privilege to undergo an internship with Northland Inc, Regional Economic Development Agency, who are based within ‘The Orchard’ which is a co-working business and event space for Northland business professionals. I was guided by the ‘Business, Innovation and Growth team’ who were collaborating with Northland’s food and beverage sector by introducing the ‘Savour Northland’ project. I took the lead on this project by developing a GIS interactive food map for Northland”.

“As a student, it was challenging to link the academic process that we had learnt, to the day-to-day employment environment. It was stimulating to work alongside respected business professionals, and reassuring to have support from my internship stakeholders, community leaders and NorthTec to accomplish the project within the year - all under one building”.

“I finished my final assessment on my birthday, so I was giving myself the greatest gift I ever could, which is ‘education’ and completing my degree. I broke down with four years of emotions, cuddled my babies and was able to rest, go on holiday and focus on our family unit over the summer to celebrate and prepare for the beginning of a new journey.”

“At graduation, the achievement felt official with the formal acknowledgement of all that hard work. I did it! We did it!” At the graduation ceremony Regina was also presented with the NorthTec Council prize for Bachelor of Applied Management – highest academic performance.

“Since graduating, I’ve had offers to facilitate and assist with teaching Microsoft Project. I had mastered the software by trial and error and simply by figuring out its elements and functions. Once I commit to something, I will get right into it, challenge myself, and do the best I can do.”

As Regina looks ahead and prepares to start facilitating the Microsoft Project, a business idea of her own is gestating. “The thoughts are just in the seed stage, but I’d love to link several graduates, Te Tai Tokerau Māori, and the business arena together. These times are bringing an opportunity for new beginnings and I feel I can help that happen.”

Renee Korewha - Management

Renee was keen to get a job using the skills and confidence she gained from her Business Management Diploma she completed at the end of 2013. And she has.

Renee trained and now works at Rawene - “I work at two part time positions here at our NorthTec Rawene campus. Our Community Computing Coach left so her job came up and the tutor asked me if I would be interested in it. She put my name forward and I got the job. I also work part time as relief Regional Administrator.”

“It is very satisfying knowing I have the knowledge to be able to help people. A lot of our students are over 50 and it’s cool to watch them ‘click’ when they get something in class. The administration is a bit more of a challenge because I do it part time, so sometimes I’m not up with the particular help someone wants.”

“But overall I love the work. I have local knowledge and I understand our people, so I have compassion for their struggles and can share in celebrating their successes. NorthTec is a real hub for our community and I’m keen to continue here - and to keep learning myself.”