What next for Job seeking students?
As students wrap up their final studies, employment opportunities remain a sore wound for many of them.
A report by Stats NZ has shows the unemployment rate in September was 5.3 per cent compared to 5.2 per cent in June 2025. With the annual number of unemployed rising to 160,000, compared to 148,000 in September 2024.
Ronella Felizardo, a third-year Bachelor’s of Communication student, said that she is happy to be in her final year, although she is anxious to get into the real world after her routine at Wintec.
She looks forward to growing as a certified Journalist in the job market, “I feel prepared to join the job market because of what I have learnt, I hope to get a job as an international student, even with the increase in unemployment” she said.
Felizardo said the best moment from her studies was being able to interview the Fiji team during the AIMS game in Tauranga, with the article, sharing the AIMS spirit, being published in the Cambridge News
She said the rate of unemployment has changed her perspective on the lack of jobs, but she remains cautiously optimistic
“If I have the opportunity to get further skills, I would do it, but I really want to earn money to pay bills, groceries and rent with my partner and also assist my parents in the Philippines,” Felizardo said.
Nariges Noori, a tourism student at NZMA, said she looks forward to getting into the job market. “I have gained useful skills from my course, but I know there is still more to learn once I’m at work.”
She said she has enjoyed her school year, especially meeting new people, learning new skills, and gaining more confidence in my field.”
She noted that the unemployment rate has made her realise how competitive the job market is. “It has shown me that having qualifications is not always enough, and that experience and connections matter a lot.”
Noori said she is considering doing further training to improve her chances of securing a job and hopes schools offer more support, such as career workshops, CV help, and job placement guidance, to help students prepare for real employment.
Mercy Chepkoech is an international student studying the New Zealand Diploma in Journalism Level 5
