René's Story

Finding my own direction

There was a time, not so long ago, when René’s days didn’t have much shape to them.

“I guess I wasn’t as confident. And I now have a clearer direction with where I want to go with job opportunities. Before I was studying, my mental health wasn’t as good. Just with too much time on my hands, not doing productive stuff.”

Alongside his Workwise employment consultant, René worked through a careers quiz to help find a way forward — and it pointed him towards business.

“Last year I did a Level 3 Certificate in Business, and now I’m doing a Level 5 Diploma in Business. Hopefully I’ll find work in customer service or logistics, and carry on studying part-time while working.”

Throughout his study, René’s employment consultant has checked in regularly, offering practical support. And the results followed.

“Narrowing down specific roles to look for, and specific classifications. Finding out what skills I excel at and what I need to improve on. Help with my CV and that sort of stuff.”

“I’m getting good marks — I got three As and one B at the start of the year, and then I’ve had four results this semester, the lowest being 76%.”

His employment consultant has watched that shift firsthand.

“When we started chatting, René didn’t really know exactly what he wanted to do. So we did the careers quiz, and from there it’s been full steam ahead; it’s been great seeing him go off and flourish.”

For René, the gains have gone beyond grades.

“I’m getting more confidence speaking in front of people, because you’ve got to do quite a few presentations. It feels good learning — learning new skills and stuff. I think it’d be easier with a job, because you can relate it to your work. It’s hard relating it when you’re not working, it’s all just a lot of theory.”

René is already thinking about what comes next and is open to relocating for the right opportunity, too.

“I like the idea of selling a product that’s relatable, like a trade supply product, or working with numbers and logistics. I want to work with everyday people and help them out…I’d even move for the right job — Tauranga, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Auckland — it’d probably improve my chances quite a lot, applying for different areas.”

Once he finishes his diploma, René will meet with his employment consultant to start job hunting, while keeping an eye out for placement or volunteer work in the meantime. Further down the track, he’s thinking about picking study back up part-time, with an eye on a management role.

The change, René says, has been felt well beyond the classroom.

“I just feel better in myself. I’m not so bored and have reason to get out of bed early. It’s helped with my sleeping too.”

“Workwise can help you set a clear direction where you’re wanting to go — and the next steps are up to you, I guess!”