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Our Graduates
VAL O'REILLY
Master of Career Development
Carving out careers
As a career practitioner, Val O'Reilly says she chose her line of work because she genuinely wants to be helpful. She also wants to be professional, which is what brought her to AUT University and the Master of Career Development.
“It complements and enhances the work I do as Director of Career Development Services at secondary level.” she says.
“AUT was the leader in the field and as soon as I learned they were offering a Masters in my area of work, I enrolled.”
Val says a great aspect of the Masters was the careful blend of the practical and the theoretical.
“This ensures that for those of us working in the field, we can have confidence that our practice is informed by valid theory and research.”
Having completed her Masters (With Distinction) in 2009 she says it was both challenging and interesting. O’Reilly opted for a course that was delivered online with occasional intensive weekends for the practical components.
Her final paper involved selecting a topic of particular interest and researching that as part of professional practice.
“I looked at how we can positively use new technologies to enhance our practice and the delivery of our services to students. I looked at the role of school websites in career practice. It was professionally rewarding to reflect intensely on my own practice and at the same time learn from career practitioner colleagues.”
I see practitioner research in career development in New Zealand as an emerging and growing discipline which can only benefit those delivering and receiving the services provided.
“My research topic has already been helpful in my own practice and, having shared aspects of it with colleagues, it has hopefully stimulated discussion for practical applications for them as well.”