What position do you hold at IEP? What has been your career path so far?
Adrian: I’m the Work New Zealand program coordinator primarily responsible for jobs. Other responsibilities include collecting data and drafting up the member’s newsletter, and monitoring our Facebook group. Most importantly however, assisting participants however I can, helping them to have the best time they can here in New Zealand.
Prior to my time with IEP I was working in Aomori, Japan as an English teacher. It was an incredible experience, and it was in this role that I really came to realize I like having human interaction in the work place, even better if it’s international.
Before that I was an Assistant manager at a men’s formalwear store, after graduating University with a degree in Japanese.
Did you do a working holiday? If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Adrian: I have yet to do a working holiday, but I have spent substantial time in other countries and lived in Japan for 2 years. I’d love to do a working holiday, I’m really seriously considering our Canada program.
In Japan I worked with a girl from Winnipeg, and she was incredible to hang out with. I find Canadians and Kiwis to be very much alike, and the scenery in Canada looks so beautiful.
On top of that it’s not a country I really considered going to very much until recently, and I would just love to jump on a plane to a place and experience that ‘new start’ feeling! As much as I love my job, there’s just something about being on the other side of the desk!
What inspires you most on a daily basis?
Adrian: I love when you can see that you’ve genuinely helped a participant in a massive way. I’ve had people so lost and confused come to see me, and when you can turn all that frustration into positive energy for someone, you know that you’re really having a positive impact on what I think is the single greatest experience a person can have in their life. I know from my own experiences overseas that that kind of assistance and reassurance is priceless!
Having participants come back and tell you about how they got themselves out of a difficult situation with the advice you had given it also feels really good to know that they have listened to your advice and really gone out there and given it everything they’ve got to make the best of their time here in New Zealand – it really is a case of getting out what you put into it.
What should someone considering a working holiday consider when choosing a program?
Adrian: I think it’s really important to look at how long the program has been running. If it’s just in its first 5 years or so then they might still be working out the little issues that a start-up company has.
The reputation and number of partners the company has could also be a good indicator of just how switched on their team is. Partner organisations get feedback after their participants return and might shy away from places with negative feedback.
Other things I’d also consider would be what they offer over and above other organizations doing the same sort of thing, the experiences of their staff, and what other people who have been on that program have to say about it. If you want to hear a first hand account, you can ask a partner organization to get you in touch with a past participant.
What makes Work NZ so unique and special?
Adrian: Speaking to participants at last night's pub meet, I think the biggest thing that sets us apart for many of our participants is the professional yet friendly nature of our team. They commented that they love how we are always happy and smiling, even if we are answering questions that they feel are probably annoying.
Here at IEP we’ve all had plenty of overseas experience, so we know what it’s like being in the shoes of a participant with lots of questions, who is maybe feeling a bit anxious or silly about asking them.
We try to get to know all the participants as best we can, and have social events to try and interact with them on a less formal level, where they might be more comfortable discussing how they are going in New Zealand. At the end of the day, we are here to support you in any way we can, and make your experience as amazing as possible!