From intern to worker
Shaka Jamuna Ravishankar never thought a summer internship would lead to a full-time job.
The Massey University business student is a customer service consultant at the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) in Browns Bay.
It is a job she secured in February after completing a 12 week internship over summer through the Business North Harbour C3 Internship Programme.
She is grateful for the work experience the internship gave her.
‘‘Everyone gets degrees but how do you spot me from the next person?’’ Jamuna Ravishankar says.
‘‘I looked at the internship and thought hopefully I will get a good recommendation from it. You do your best and make sure you turn up to work and do what’s asked of you.’’
BNZ Browns Bay store manager Nicky Lukar has been utilising interns for two years now and is looking to gain eight students for the coming summer period.
She says with up to 200 applicants for her job listings, internship experience is an attractive skill.
‘‘They’re full of enthusiasm and question things we wouldn’t normally question … we’re lucky to get a totally fresh set of eyes to keep things current,’’ Lukar says.
Business North Harbour hosted a C3 event on September 28 at Massey University in Albany.