I pretty much did whatever jobs I could get. I did some waitressing, I did some language teaching for senior citizen Chinese here in New Zealand and I did some volunteer work.
Monica opted for a psychology degree at Auckland University and after graduating, was initially given a six-month visa to look for work. She used mainstream sources such as websites Seek and Trade Me “just like everyone else,” to look for work, she says
A New Zealand policy change extended her visa to a year, and Monica found a job in the second half of that year. At a job expo she made contacts that led to her first fulltime job – in community mental health. “I found it very difficult at first but I loved every minute of it,” she says.
Among the challenges she faced, was learning about the working culture in New Zealand and adjusting. She feels that at university she focused too much on gaining her degree when she could have connected more with other students and expanded her network, which would have helped afterwards.
Monica feels lucky she was able to find an employer who was happy to assist her with her residency application, writing a supporting letter and confirming her job offer. This support gained her a further two-year work visa and paved the way for gaining residence.
Monica found the process of applying for and gaining New Zealand residency straightforward. There were no obstacles or hidden costs, and once she had presented all the required documents it was just a matter of time, she says. Her advice to anyone seeking residency after following the study-work pathway is simply to read the immigration policy carefully, study the forms and make sure you have all the information that’s needed.
Monica now works for Auckland Council as a community development facilitator, managing programmes and projects for community groups. She also fits sport – especially tennis and badminton – and volunteer work into a busy lifestyle.
Her advice to anyone seeking residency after following the study-work pathway is simply to read the immigration policy carefully, study the forms and make sure you have all the information that’s needed.
