Kerui Yao
F&B Attendant, Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Bachelor of International Hospitality Management in Hospitality Management with a minor in Human Resource Management & Employment Relations
The highlights of his time at AUT were the practical learning experiences and strong industry connections, says Kerui Yao who studied international hospitality management.
“AUT places a strong emphasis on work-integrated learning, including internships and industry-based projects. This enabled me to apply what I learned in class to real situations and gain a better understanding of the industry before graduation.
“The courses at AUT focus heavily on case studies, group work and presentations, which helped me develop practical communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. One of my key achievements was completing an industry-based project that was successfully applied in a real business setting. Through this project, I worked closely with industry partners, which significantly strengthened my communication skills as well as my ability to analyse and solve practical problems. Overall, my time at AUT helped me grow from a student into someone who is more confident and job ready.”
On top of his studies, he loved participating in a number of AUT’s external engagement and promotional activities, including the interview and engagement event at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).
“I supported school visits and receptions, represented the university when communicating with visitors, and received positive feedback from both academic staff and guests. At the same time, I was able to balance work, study and these extracurricular responsibilities effectively, and I achieved a strong GPA. I see this as an important achievement because it reflects my time management skills, commitment and ability to perform consistently in a demanding environment.”
Supported to thrive
Kerui says there were several AUT staff members and services that supported him greatly throughout his studies.
“My lecturers provided strong academic support. They were always approachable and willing to give detailed feedback on assignments and projects, which helped me improve my analytical thinking and academic writing skills, especially for industry-based projects. In addition, AUT’s Employability and Careers team was very helpful. They provided guidance on CV writing, interview preparation and workplace expectations, which increased my confidence when preparing for internships and future employment. I also received strong support from staff involved in student engagement and external relations activities. Through their guidance, I was able to represent the university at various events, which greatly improved my communication skills and professional confidence.”
His advice for other students is simple: actively engage with the university community.
“Spend time on campus, communicate regularly with your lecturers and classmates, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Every question is valuable, and asking questions often leads to deeper understanding. It’s also important to manage your time well and start assignments early, rather than leaving everything until the final week. This allows you to think more deeply and produce higher-quality work. Finally, try to complete your assignments to the best of your ability. When you focus on quality rather than just completion, you often gain insights and skills that you didn’t expect.”
Delivering a high standard of service
After graduating from AUT at the end of 2025, Kerui now works full-time at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland.
“My responsibilities include assisting with service operations, coordinating with different teams and ensuring a high standard of customer service. I also support event and function operations, help prepare service areas, and communicate with guests to understand their needs and resolve any issues promptly. In addition, I work closely with supervisors and team members to ensure operations run smoothly, especially during busy periods. This role has helped me develop strong communication skills, teamwork ability and a better understanding of how a hotel operates.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the interaction with people and the fast-paced working environment. In the food and beverage department, every day is different, and I enjoy communicating with guests from different backgrounds and helping create a positive dining experience for them. I also enjoy working as part of a team. During busy service periods, everyone needs to cooperate closely, and I find it very rewarding when the team works together smoothly to deliver high-quality service.”
He enjoys being able to apply what he learned at university in a real workplace.
“In my role now I often draw on the communication, problem-solving and customer service skills I developed at AUT. My final-year workplace experience also gave me a clear understanding of marketing concepts within the hospitality industry. It helped me develop a structured framework for analysing marketing-related projects, and I now apply this framework whenever I’m involved in tasks that require marketing thinking or decision-making. In addition, the presentation skills I developed through my AUT coursework enable me to communicate my ideas more clearly and confidently, whether I’m sharing suggestions with my team or explaining my thinking to supervisors.”
