From student to employee without leaving campus

Recent WITT Te Pūkenga graduate Kamia Lewis has made the transition from student to employee without having to leave the campus. She recently moved into the the front-facing Information and Enrollments Administrator position where she puts her business administration skills and recent experience as a student to good use.

“I work in a frontline position helping new and returning students with their questions and enrolment and directing people to the necessary departments,” says Kamia.

Notching up multiple qualifications and gaining valuable work experience as a Kaiāwhina (student helper), gave her the confidence to apply for the position after an early finish to high school.

Kamia left school at 16, believing she didn’t have any opportunities. After encouragement from WITT Te Pūkenga kaimahi, Kamia took part in the youth guarantee programme and grew her few NCEA credits into a New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 3) and a Diploma of Accounting (Level 5).

“I am really grateful to WITT kaimahi and tutors for helping me build my confidence, gain the qualifications to make me a more attractive candidate and also hiring me as well,” she says.

Kamia isn’t the only member of her whānau to study at WITT. Her sister completed a food and beverage qualification and her Mum is also completing a Bachelor of Applied Management while working at Tui Ora - the two even studied together last year! The Lewis trio are the first in their wider family to take on tertiary study.

Kamia says she feels really valued in her role and is enjoying working with people. For now, she’s keen to gather more experience and in the future, she aspires to work in human resources.