AUT - Employ a student

"The most rewarding experience I had whilst studying at AUT was my co-op for my final year. I was placed at Pumpkin Patch and spent 9 weeks with each department of the company. This placement enabled me to apply theories and processes learned in my studies and provided me with an overview of how a business of this scale operates. These experiences along with the immense encouragement from my lecturers helped me secure my current role, thus starting my career in business.” Kate Simmons Bachelor of Business, Retailing major

To ensure our graduates hit the deck running in their chosen careers the Business School pioneered a highly successful workplace experience programme called Co-operative Education. Co-op is a key point of difference for our degree and has strong support with employers and industry.

Co-op provides students with a transition between their studies and the business world, and gives companies access to talented and motivated final year students.

The 9-week work placement is compulsory for all Bachelor of Business students and can be completed in New Zealand or overseas.

Information for students

Co-operative education and our strong
industry links give you opportunities in major domestic and international organisations.This gives you the chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom and to develop your knowledge and skills in a business environment.

You can complete your work placement in New Zealand or overseas. If you are looking to do co-op overseas you can be assisted by AIESEC New Zealand, which provides international work opportunities. Further info is available at www.aiesec.org.nz/experience/organisations/universities/

The 9-week work placement is compulsory in your final year.

You will be mentored by a workplace supervisor and an AUT academic and will be encouraged to start the process of finding your placement from the beginning of your degree. The Business School provides assistance, hosting networking opportunities with employers and information sessions.

This highly successful programme gives you a great start in the industry while still being able to get feedback from lecturers who help you analyse your experiences and performance. Employers value the fresh ideas and latest thinking that you bring to the organisation, and many offer permanent employment to their co-operative education students after graduating.

Download student FAQs (4 pages/ 611kb)

Information for Employers

What are the benefits of employing a Co-op student?

Co-op students have the potential to contribute a great deal to your organisation. They will carry out their specific role and complete the tasks assigned to them. As well, they will bring with them some of the latest thinking from their field of study and their fresh ideas, youthful energy and enthusiasm that can add a new and different dimension to your organisation.

Students learn on the job, apply their classroom learning to real situations and problems and develop aspects of their professional practice. Co-op students undertake a wide variety of work placements that enable them to experience the complexity of the real world of business first hand.

It is essential that they have hands on practical experience with processes or tasks related to their field of study.

Examples of roles and work completed by our students:

• Business Analyst, NZ Trade & Enterprise - research and analysis of different sectors, reports on sector profiles, market intelligence reports
  
• Agency Sales Co-ordinator, TVNZ -  assisting with managing clients, selling, booking spots in shows 
  
• Recruitment Administrator, Air New Zealand - working on secondary schools recruitment project, assisting with recruitment administration
  
• Territory Manager, Nestle NZ Ltd. - sales calls, orders, presenting new products, reporting
  
• Assistant Insolvency Manager, McDonald Vague - liquidations, analysis of accounts, maintenance of insolvency files, preparation of statements of affairs
  
• Human Resources Administrator, Turners & Growers - support HR team in recruitment and remuneration review
  
• Management Trainee, Google, India  - budgeting, variance analysis, financial statement analysis
  
• Marketing Communications Assistant, ANZ National Financial Group - managing communications approval process, assisting communications managers with projects
  
• Accounts Administrator, Flight Centre - accounts payable, bank reconciliations, payroll, month end reporting
  

How long is the placement?

The minimum requirement is for a student to work full-time in the workplace over a nine week period (360 hours). However many students have a placement that is longer than this eg. some students might have a 3 month placement that starts before and ends after the 9 week compulsory period. Other students incorporate their Co-op into their full time, permanent employment.

How do I employ a Co-op student?

Self-placement is one of the principles underlying Co-op – students are responsible for finding their own positions. They are expected to create a CV, hunt out opportunities, apply for positions and participate in your standard recruitment processes. Payment is negotiated between you and your students. AUT has an online area for students where you can post advertisements for Co-op vacancies.

If you have an employment opportunity for a Co-op student please contact:

Kate Coleman, Co-op Manager
ph 09 921 9323
Email: kate.coleman@aut.ac.nz

Download employer FAQs (483kb/ 2 pages)

Download 2012 key dates for employers 

General co-op information overview pdf