PETE HODKINSON Lynfield College (2003 - 2007) What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? In 2008 I left Lynfield College (a year early) to pursue tertiary level training in Sport and Fitness education, a passion which chiefly developed whilst on a 9 month student-exchange in Munich Germany. But, interestingly, I never actually worked in the sporting industry (aside from coaching childrens Jiu Jitsu classes).
Following completion of my diploma, I was elected by the Unitec student body and worked for two years as President of the USU Students Assocation. I went on to become a member of the Unitec Council for a brief period, and a Director of Student Job Search Ltd.
In 2012 I was elected as the first non-University president in 82 years for the New Zealand Union of Students Associations; a position which I held for two further years. During this time, I was appointed a range of governance roles in the Pacific, and wider Commonwealth, including being sworn into service by the Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth as a respresentative of students, an experience I found humbling and energising.
I undertook significant professional development in the Governance field with the Institute of Directors in New Zealand and other training bodies. Focussing on areas such strategy, risk, finance, health and safety, ethics, working with media, and chairing a board.
In late 2013 the institute of directors, specifically the Manager of the Governance Leadership Centre (who went on to become the CEO), took an interest in my development and hired me initially as an administrator, as we worked in a team of three to establish the newly constituted Governance Leadership Centre – a policy and research think tank for the governance world in New Zealand. My bosses and colleagues helped me to grow into roles in research, training delivery, course development and review, in addition to sales and business development.
What are you doing now?
In February 2017 I quit that job, sold everything that I own and bought flights to Europe to become a travelling musician. Which is also pretty cool. I should note that the IoD were heart-warmingly supportive of my decision to chase a dream over the stability of an office-career. In May 2017 I arrived in Germany and am currently based in Essen (in the Ruhrgebiet area) as I pursue opportunities in music performance, composition, and very soon I hope to study.
Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years?
Hopefully on a festival stage in front of 60,000 screaming fans... “Mal schauen…” ;-)
Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction?
There is no way I can fully explain how much learning German and carrying out the 9 month exchange in Munich has helped me in every aspect of my life. Having to uproot yourself and dive into a completely foreign culture, language and society has a profound way of building character, confidence, resilience, self-sufficiency and a broader world-view. These qualities have placed me in good stead as I have undertaken study, leadership and governance roles, employment, and travel. And now, I have a huge advantage as an artist, with a fresh and different perspective and an interesting brand which sets me apart from other New Zealanders performing in New Zealand and Germans performing in Germany.
Regardless of whatever career you choose to undertake, I can’t recommend learning a language (especially German!) enough. If you work hard at it and take all of the opportunities associated with it, it can completely reshape your life-path in amazing ways.
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HARRISON WYNN Lynfield College (2006 - 2010) What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? After I graduated from Lynfield College in 2010, I started my studies in Political Science and German. In 2012 I took a one year break between my studies to teach English in a high school in the northern city of Kiel (an hour north of Hamburg). In that year I developed my professional and everyday German, which is really important when you study a language. Earlier this year I graduated from my studies. What are you doing now? During my studies I decided to do an internship at the German Trade Office (NZGBA). In my final semester of university I was offered a full-time role as the Executive Assistant to the CEO. I am responsible for the organisation’s marketing, primarily in major trade fairs in Germany, business events and seminars, the company website, and the writing of our annual bilateral economic publication. Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years? In the next five years I see myself I see myself going into export management, or working in a similar field in Europe or the US. In my time working at the German Trade Office, I have met many local export companies that interest me. Something around exporting would be ideal. Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction? Yes, of course. Learning German at Lynfield College gave me the tools to not only speak another language, but also open my understanding of the world. Learning another language challenges your opinions and views on what is ‘normal’ as it opens you up to a new culture. My German language skills gives me a point of difference in the job market, and as Germany is one of New Zealand’s largest trading partners and large source of tourists, German speakers are always in demand. There are a huge number of German subsidiaries in New Zealand that may see German as an advantage, depending upon the role. German gives graduates a more global outlook on the world, which is vital for New Zealand economy. Many graduates decide to do their O.E after their studies in London, but German gives New Zealanders the opportunity to work in other major European cities like Berlin, Vienna or Hamburg. |
IMOGEN MORRIS Lynfield College (2005 - 2009) What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? I completed a Bachelor of Music majoring in Classical Performance (Recorder) at the University of Auckland from 2010-2012, followed by a BMus(Hons) in Classical Performance (Recorder) in 2013. As part of my studies I took courses not only in solo performance but also in chamber music, musicology, and music education. I have had performance engagements with top-level NZ ensembles such as NZ Barok and Age of Discovery, and I have also collaborated with student composers to create new pieces for recorder using the latest performance techniques. I have been teaching recorder privately and at music schools across Auckland since 2010. I have also taught pre-instrumental music since 2013. I have worked at the University of Auckland School of Music as an event manager for the past four and a half years, which has given me excellent real-world experience of organising and putting on concerts. What are you doing now? In October 2015 I will begin study towards a Master of Music degree in recorder performance at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, studying under world-renowned recorder player Prof. Peter Holtslag. This is a very exciting opportunity not only to get world-class tuition from someone who has inspired me since my time at Lynfield, but also to experience the European music scene – I will be able to attend a variety of concerts, festivals and summer courses across the continent during my time there, unlike anything that we see here in NZ. In September 2015 I will travel to Seoul, South Korea, to perform at the Seoul International Computer Music Festival. This will be my first international performance engagement and I will be presenting Clovis McEvoy’s Conflux for tenor recorder and live electronics, a piece that was written specially for me last year. Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years? It is tricky to say where I see myself career-wise in five years’ time. The classical music world is a very difficult world to navigate, especially when you are starting out. The part of my trip to Germany that I am most excited about is seeing what is really out there and what directions I could go in over the coming years – it is no secret that all artforms struggle to survive in New Zealand, so I expect being in a cultural mecca such as Hamburg to be a real eye-opener. In five years I would love to see myself with a successful career as a performer as well as running a busy teaching studio – how (or where) any of that happens exactly remains to be seen, but I can’t wait to find out! Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction? The most obvious way that learning German has supported my direction is that it allowed me to apply to the HfMT Hamburg (and also to the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe, where I also applied and was accepted for study) in the first place. While music is considered a universal language, it is important to be able to communicate by speaking as well, and I know a number of people who have wanted to study in a foreign country but have been put off because they don’t speak the language. It is necessary not only for the tuition itself, but also to navigate a university’s website, communicate with staff, and complete the application process, not to mention being able to actually live and function in the country. During my trip to Germany for auditions in June this year, I met a number of people who were blown away by the fact I could speak the language, many of whom were impressed that the opportunity to learn German was even available to students in a country as far away as New Zealand. Because I participated in the exchange with Ernst-Haeckel Gymnasium during my time at Lynfield, I have also been left with a lifelong friend in my host sister, as well as a second mother and father in my host parents. They, along with the exchange itself, have given me a lot of confidence as I head to Germany for further study. |
ROBERT SCHULTZ Lynfield College (2004 - 2007) What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? TERTIARY STUDY: Law and Arts - LLB(Hons) / BA (Double Major History and German) at Auckland University (2008-12 full time) including DAAD Winterkurs (6 Week scholarship programme at the University of Freiburg, Baden Wuertemberg) and PAD scholarship to the European Academy at Otzenhausen (2010-2011). PAST WORK: Judge’s clerk at the Court of Appeal, Wellington (2013-2014). What are you doing now? Lawyer at LeeSalmonLong, Barristers and Solicitors, Auckland (2015). Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years? In private practice or academia. I am looking at the possibility of completing a PhD in comparative private law at the Max Planck Institut, Hamburg under Professor Reinhard Zimmerman. Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction? The excellent German skills Frau Zimmer equipped me with had had obvious direct benefits including a chance to spend a wonderful winter in Europe meeting exceptional people with generous financial support and now the option to do further study at an excellent German institution. I am certainly not the only one to have enjoyed such benefits. Another New Zealander with whom I did a short exchange to Germany in 2007 is now employed by a top-ranked consulting firm, is connected to the Berlin office and may move there full-time. The indirect benefits have been even more valuable – German has expanded my perspective on English, language and life. Modern neuroscience tells us that learning another language has a significant benefits. German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said “the borders of my language are the borders of my world”. German has helped to expand the borders of my world. I credit Frau Zimmer, with her humour, interest and care with improving my life. |
DAIRNE McINTYRE-ROBINSON Lynfield College (2007 - 2011) What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? After I finished high school I studied for three years (2012-2014) at the University of Auckland towards a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary degree with the intention of bringing German into primary school classes. What are you doing now? I am currently (2015) studying travel and tourism at the New Zealand School of Tourism, formerly known as Sir George Seymour National College of Airline, Travel & Tourism. With this study under my belt I am hoping to become a travel agent. While studying here I also gained a part-time job working for a company called Red Badge who work events such as concerts at Vector Arena and rugby games at Mt Smart stadium. Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years? In five years time I see myself as a well-travelled, experienced and knowledgeable travel agent booking holidays for all sorts of people and going on lots of trips myself to gain knowledge of products, cultures, places and destinations. Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction? I absolutely LOVED learning German at high school – it was always my favourite subject. After learning that children in Germany learn additional languages starting in primary school, I thought that we should do that in New Zealand too; and as I was wanting to be a primary school teacher I thought I could incorporate German into my classroom and lessons. However, I am now out of the teaching industry and in the travel and tourism industry where languages are SO important. In terms of hiring staff, being able to converse in German/speak a second language makes me much more favourable in this industry than someone who only speaks or has knowledge of one language. Learning German allowed me the opportunity to utilise the language I had learned and to travel further than I ever had before – with two trips to Germany during my years at Lynfield including excursions to Austria and Switzerland. I have also been back to Germany again since leaving school where I stayed in Stuttgart with my host family from my first trip. The language, the culture and the travelling have together inspired me to be a part of the travel and tourism industry and share my experiences, knowledge, make use of the German language wherever possible, help others to have amazing experiences oversees and assist them in seeing and exploring the big, wide world. |
CHRIS RIDDELL Lynfield College (2007 - 2008 for Year 12 and 13) What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? I did a part-time BSc majoring in Computer Science at University of Auckland, while starting a technology start-up company (plus a few part time jobs along the way). I continued to study German after high-school for a few papers at Uni as my outer-faculty courses.
I continue to work as a Senior Software Engineer at our start up, Parrot Analytics, which is a technology company specialising in measuring, analysing and predicting global content demand and consumption for TV media. We’ve won a number of awards and have been listed as one of MIPTV’s ‘5 hottest startups’ in the TV industry.
Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years?
After completing our start-up; working in computer technology, probably contracting or consulting overseas.
Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction?
Yes, learning German was one of my favourite and most memorable parts of school life. The smaller class sizes and involved learning style made it one of the most fun and motivating subjects to learn. You also learn how to be better socially and conversationally by interacting with others while practising a foreign language. These were some of the best classes (both at high school and uni) because you can really get to know people in the much smaller class sizes and make lifelong friends.
Although I haven’t been back to Germany since our Werder exchange trip, I’ve had many opportunities to practise with Germans locally and while overseas. It’s really easy to start a conversation when you have a shared language, and as a result I’ve met travelling Germans (Germans love travelling) in Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and here at home.
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MARISSA TURNER Lynfield College 2006 - 2010 What did you do after school in the way of work, training and tertiary study? 2011 – 2012: Lived in Germany for a year. Worked for a small start-up company that imported leather and fabrics from Pakistan to sell into Germany. A wide range of duties, including sales, marketing and translation. I often had spare time in the afternoon/evening, so I started an English tutoring service. My students ranged in age from 9 years old to adult wanting to expand their English knowledge to be more professional in the workplace.
2012 – 2014: Studied at the University of Auckland for a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing, Commercial Law and Accounting. Concurrent to my degree I worked part-time as a Brand Ambassador for Lion Nathan. After a brief stint in sales, I started in a new position in June (2015) working for Fisher & Paykel Appliances in the Internal Recruitment team.
Where do you see yourself career-wise in another five years?
Hard to say as I have just started in the recruitment industry. Possibly working my way up to senior consultant level or gaining some experience in more generalist HR functions.
Can you identify any ways that learning German at Lynfield College supported your direction?
With my knowledge of the German language and culture gained at Lynfield College I was able to enjoy a very rewarding year living in Germany after leaving school. My transition into German society and the workplace was very smooth. Due to my language skills I was able to blend in very well with the locals and have a much more interesting and fulfilling experience than if I had not spoken German well.
I made lifelong friends in Germany with whom I am still in regular contact and I also met my boyfriend in Germany on the Lynfield College school exchange! After five years we are still together and he now lives in New Zealand.
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