Find out how Be. Lab’s Tertiary Internship Programme provided Grace with coaching, skills and the employer connections that set her on the path to a career she loves.
When you first meet Grace you can’t help but be impressed. Independent and highly motivated, she has worked hard to develop her skills both creatively and academically. Grace’s approach to life is to seize every opportunity to explore new skills. Her interests are wide and varied, and it’s clear she has a passion for learning.
A love of language and culture has led Grace to become proficient in Spanish, NZ Sign language and to recently expand her knowledge of Te Reo Maori.
When offered the opportunity to study in Auckland, 14 year-old Grace jumped at the chance to leave her home in Gisborne. Her aim was to finish high school and go to university which she eventually did, majoring in Communication Management at Massey with a minor in linguistics. “I wanted to do a degree that allowed me to be creative but logical at the same time. I took a whole lot of short courses- photography, languages and creative writing – all this was to build up skills that would be valuable both in my career, but also for me personally”.
With her university course nearing its end it was time to start looking for work experience that suited her capabilities, but Grace didn’t know where to start. She made contact with the Careers Disability Support team at Massey. They told her about Be. Lab and suggested she apply for our Tertiary Internship Programme.
A few days after applying online Grace was invited to meet with Jake and Sarah, relationship managers at Be Lab. In the initial discussion they talked about her strengths and values, and the types of organisations that attracted her. The Be. Lab team focused on confidence building by doing interview practice and preparation with Grace. They also showed her how to shape her CV, so it was clear, consistent and included a personal statement showcasing her unique strengths.
This one-of-kind Be. Lab programme provides a wrap-around service for motivated jobseekers like Grace. This includes coaching and professional development tailored specifically for the individual, the option to access a mentor, and all-important on-going support.
A major benefit for Grace has been access to Be. Lab’s extensive networks and relationships with leading employers across a variety of sectors. Through this she was able to consider several options for her internship before she chose Auckland Council.
Grace secured a 12-week paid internship and due to our unique wrap-around support programme she was work-place ready. At the Council Grace worked on a variety of high-visibility projects including organising a national conference on Universal Design and creating digital content for a tourism app, focusing on Auckland attractions and their accessibility.
Following this (and via another Be. Lab connection) Grace secured a six-month contract as a Project Assistant with ICE Management Consultancy. As well as gaining more valuable industry experience this led on to Grace’s current as role an internee with Colenso BBDO, a well-known international advertising agency.
Grace found the whole Be. Lab experience supportive. “I am still in contact with Sarah, she has become a mentor and supports me through thick and thin. Sarah and the Be. Lab team have helped me to think positively and believe I ‘deserve’ to have whatever role I apply for”.
Be. Lab’s Sarah was equally impressed by Grace. “It was such a pleasure to work with Grace on her professional journey from nervous student to an independent and confident employee. Grace’s growth mindset, willingness to take on advice and feedback, and complete resilience was always going to be a winning combination and the X Factor necessary for her to thrive and successfully enter her professional industry of choice. I can’t wait to follow Grace’s professional progress as I know she is going to be a superstar.”
Grace’s dreams for the future include working in marketing either as a Digital Content Manager or a Content Marketing Manager. Also to travel the world and experience other cultures especially Spanish ones. Right now she credits her experience of our Internship Programme for setting her on the path to her dream role.
‘I’d definitely recommend the Be. Lab Tertiary Internship programme. The team at Be. Lab are committed to supporting you to reach your potential and achieve your career goals whatever your field of interest. It has really opened doors for me and highlighted the benefit of strong networks when building your career. It’s been great to have Be. Lab by my side”.