In the final months of Jess Trotter’s Certificate in Business Studies she already had her foot in the door of her dream industry.
Working part-time at a supermarket and determined to complete her qualification, Jess was offered a casual job with Westpac.
With her new work commitments requiring flexible hours alongside rostered supermarket shifts, Jess knew that she would have to find a different way to study.
“My lecturers were so supportive of my opportunity at Westpac. As dual professionals who had worked in business environments they understood my work commitments and supported me when my work hours clashed with class times.”
“I learnt to get as much work done when and where I could. I would study at work when it was quiet on the checkout and at home, and email notes to myself on my phone when I had ideas for assignments.”
Jess chose to study the Certificate in Business Studies (level 4) to gain transferable skills that she could use in a variety of career paths and have a platform for further study.
“It was the first step for me; I knew I wanted to work in business and had dreamed of one day working in banking. The Certificate gave me the confidence and the skills to take the next step and enter the industry.”
Jess is now a Customer Banking Consultant in Development at Westpac Bank, having recently landed a full time position.
“The skills that I have learnt at UCOL have become second nature, and I feel that when customers or colleagues ask me a question I really know what I am talking about.”
Westpac New Zealand offers banking services to communities nationwide and has over 1.2 million customers and over 200 branches. It is over 150 years old.