Henrietta Wilar was not sure as to what she would study when she left secondary school.
“I just did not know what I was going to do. After talking to a few people, I got more confused! But I eventually enrolled in Unitec’s Bachelor of School Business programme. I liked how I could branch out and specialise later on. After my first year, I chose to focus on Management and Marketing, as they appeared to be the areas in which I was strong,” she said.
“I loved studying at the Mt Albert Campus, as my classes were quite small. As well as our regular lecturers, we often had industry leaders speaking to us,” she added.
Experts lecture
Although she appreciated the ‘talk and chalk’ approach, it was the skills of those who had already proven themselves in the working world that stood out.
“Textbook theories are fine and are often the basis of what I do in my current job, but you do not have everything that you think you should, when you first graduate. That comes with experience,” Henrietta said.
She is currently developing her industry experience at Sistema Plastics Limited, one of New Zealand’s recent export success stories. It was such experience that she admired immensely as a student.
Sistema’s food containers, with their iconic blue chips, are now the mainstay of kitchens and staff lunchrooms around the world.
“I am very excited to be their New Zealand Sales Manager’s Personal Assistant and to compete in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) arena. I also enjoy the variety of my role; its parts sales, marketing and advertising, with a little bit of operation and stock management thrown in for good measure,” she said.
Good start
But she does not want to minimise the importance of her time at Unitec.
“Despite the shock of the first month or so, when you realise how much you still need to pick up, Unitec gave me a great start in business. Even if it does not give you the wings, you need to fly solo straight away. It definitely gives you the basics. Without these, you would simply be flying blind, which never ends well,” she said.
If you are interested in Business, Marketing or Management and want to know of the options, please visit www.management.unitec.ac.nz and www.marketing.unitec.ac.nz
Unitec is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2013.
Photo : Henrietta Wilar
