Celebrating faces of the future at MIT Graduation Week
Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau will come alive this week as we celebrate the success of MIT graduates in a challenging year.
The thousand-strong Class of 2021 are already working in careers including nursing, engineering, maritime, social work, sport, business and IT.
“Graduation Week is a fantastic window into who we are as a community at Te Whare Takiura o Manukau,” says Chief Executive Gus Gilmore.
“We know MIT graduates are resilient, adaptable and culturally-connected. Many have already taken their place in the workforce and are making a difference to their whānau, communities and this region.”
Here are four graduates bringing their skills and perspectives to great roles:
KULAEA MA’U TAPEALAVA
Kulaea, whose parents are both migrants from Tonga, is graduating with a Bachelor of Digital Technologies.
“I’m the first person in my family to graduate. My mum has been a housewife all her life and my father, a factory worker. He wanted us to go down a different path. I think I’ve made him very proud,” she says.
Kulaea is now working as a software developer helping to automate Auckland. WATCH
SABRINA PAPPS (Ngāti Apa)
Sabrina, who is of Māori, European and Fijian-Indian descent, first came through MIT’s doors as a Trades Academy student at Tangaroa College, ?tara.
“If you’re like me, don’t give up. Just because you think you’re not from somewhere high or most of us people from ?tara don’t make it far. Trust me, if you believe in yourself you got this,” she says.
Sabrina is now working as a business analyst at Westpac. WATCH
JHUN DELA ROSA
Jhun came to New Zealand from the Philippines and worked as a software developer for ten years before changing careers.
On Saturday, he will graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing.
“I chose nursing because I wanted to serve the community, especially in South Auckland,” he says.
Jhun has a particular interest in pediatric and intensive care nursing. WATCH
LOVEPREET SINGH
Lovepreet came to New Zealand from Punjab, India. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Management.
“At MIT, you’re not just a student ID number or a roll number you have that personal connection with the lecturers. I’ve met amazing people at MIT and I’ve made lifelong friends here,” he says.
Lovepreet is now working as an audit associate at KPMG. WATCH
More information on MIT Graduation can be found here.