Graduate Employment

Many State sector organisations recruit recent graduates who are just starting off in their careers, and may advertise on a job-by-job basis, or carry out a structured graduate recruitment programme through participating universities.

Employers will usually identify which positions are particularly suited to recently qualified tertiary graduates in the advertisement, but it’s over to you to explore and apply for a range of job possibilities.

What do graduate programmes involve?

Graduate programmes involve induction into the work and culture of an organisation, followed by placement in two or three positions, each lasting up to 18 months, before the graduate takes on a more permanent role.

Some organisations also offer assistance to students completing their degrees and provide for part-time work combined with study leave. Some organisations support students through their final year and provide employment after graduation.

Some State sector graduate programmes

Audit NZ is the business arm of the Office of the Auditor-General and offers over 25 positions throughout New Zealand each year for accounting graduates. The Audit NZ graduate programme is ideal for those looking to attain their CA qualifications and the chance to ‘put back’ something into New Zealand society and soundly establish their Accounting and Finance career.

The Ministry of Economic Developmentoffers a graduate programme for those interested in working in its policy branches, the Companies Office, Intellectual Property Office, or other specialised areas.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade recruits for Foreign Policy Officers and Corporate Services Officers who can have a challenging career based in NZ or overseas.

The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) recruits new graduates from time to time in a number of areas including foreign languages, mathematics, information technology, engineering, computer science and more!

The Inland Revenue Department has a wide range of opportunities and benefits available for graduates. Inland Revenue offers careers with interest and challenge, a range of benefits and unique development opportunities that will help you get to where you want to be.

Statistics New Zealand is a major employer of graduates from a wide range of disciplines. Geography, economics, mathematics, psychology are just a few examples with a strong analytical component for Statistical Analyst positions.

The Treasury operates an academic linkages programme that features guest lectures, Visiting Research Fellowships, Post-Graduate Scholarships, and Student Summer Internships. They also have a graduate recruiting programme.

Gaining work experience

Obtaining that first step on your career path with the State sector can sometimes be a challenge if you are new to the workforce. However there are several ways to get over those barriers and build CVs that will catch the attention of recruiters:

State Sector Internships - are offered by a limited number of Government agencies and on a competitive basis. They are usually available to advanced undergraduate, honours and postgraduate tertiary students returning to university for a final year. Interns work for one summer vacation period and the work they do may contribute to a subsequent thesis or research paper. More information about the State Services Internship Programme is published here.
Research work - This gives useful experience and the chance to demonstrate indepth subject or sector knowledge. Opportunities can come from approaching State sector agencies or other appropriate organisations for access to material on topics where an academic research paper could benefit the student and the organisation.
Summer or part-time work - arranged by you, or via your university careers advisors. You can search for jobs, check local pay rates, and register yourself with at Student Job Search. Watch out for new developments on that site, as specialised programmes are available from time to time for different categories of jobseeker.
Voluntary work - This can help you to build relevant skills or insights into aspects of society, for instance with community, iwi or charitable organisations.