How were you originally connected with Intern NZ?
I moved to Wellington from Auckland this year and was lucky enough to join the Intern NZ and Intern OZ team. Previously working as an early childhood teacher and in the rewards industry.
The interns together at the Intern NZ Christmas Party!
As a transplant in New Zealand, originally coming from Ireland, what is your best piece of advice for interns about life in New Zealand?
Enjoy New Zealand and its people. You truly won’t find people more welcoming and kind (except for maybe Ireland ha!). The people here love to see people coming to their wonderful country and to share their culture and heritage with them. Take in all that you can of New Zealand, it is a natural beauty with lots to do and see. Enjoy your internship, the people that you work with will go out of their way to give you the best learning experience they can so reap it up. I really believe you would not get a better internship than here.
How do you help interns have a successful internship in New Zealand?
It is really important to me that interns have a wonderful learning experience. I will keep in contact with the candidate throughout the whole process and want them to know that they can get in touch any time if they have any questions or concerns. I understand that traveling to another country and meeting new people can be daunting and I want to ensure that this is a thoroughly enjoyably experience.
Theresa tries out her hovercraft driving skills!
What characteristics do you think define a successful intern?
Be passionate about the internship you want to do. Show enthusiasm. Good listening and communication skills are important. Enjoy it!
How important do you think flexibility is?
It is always good to be flexible, but we will always work with what goes best for our candidates.
Theresa on her travels across the islands
Based on your interactions with interns, what do they love most about interning in New Zealand?
What I find our interns love about interning in NZ is the people that they work with and how they have gone out of their way to help them. It has made settling into NZ less scary and easier to be away from home. Most of our interns tend to stay in contact with their supervisors and have developed a great relationship. They have loved the opportunity they have been given. Also New Zealand has been the best place to travel, interns go home with wonderful tales of their adventures.
What is the most unique internship you’ve ever provided for an intern?
Aquaculture Pathobiology. I had never heard of it before and spent a day trying to google it to see what was involved. I love finding unique and different internships. It is a great way to discover all the wonderful and different jobs that people do.
Our Luau-themed Christmas office party
Why should prospective interns choose Intern NZ and Intern OZ over other internship providers?
They will be working with a team of people who love what they do. We put in 100% when looking for a internship. We are dedicated and will go out of our way for our candidates.
What do you love most about your job?
The people I work with. They are a great bunch and we have a multi cultural office with people from around the world. We always help each other throughout the day and pass ideas around. Everyone in the office has a good attitude and great sense of humor.
