AG飞禽走兽电子

(Sheldon Hall receiving the EY Leadership Prize at the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award Graduation)

“I’ve come to know that challenges aren’t things to fear, but to be embraced and to learn from,” says Sheldon Hall, winner of the EY Leadership prize for the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award.

Now working as a business design analyst for Accenture, Sheldon says the soft skills he developed through the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award are often sought out in the workplace today.
“I also found the award does more than enhance your soft skills. The different volunteering and leadership opportunities I was exposed to helped me discover where my truest passions may lie and the communities I wish to represent that need me.“

Sheldon is now supporting the next generation of young Maori and Pasifika entering the workforce, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone to develop their full potential, particularly in the tech industry. He says the award has helped shape his leadership skills and capabilities.

“I now have a greater understanding of who I am as someone who is Māori, Pasifika, a designer and an aspiring leader. I am super proud to share I was selected as the recipient for the EY Leadership Prize Award.”

Graduation celebrates great achievements

Sheldon was one of four students singled out for going over and beyond during their award journey. won the MYOB Personal Growth prize, received the SEEK Volunteer Volunteering prize and won the Beyond AG飞禽走兽电子 Overall prize.

All up 93 students graduated with the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award and 21 with the Beyond AG飞禽走兽电子 Award for postgraduates.
As well as making a huge difference to their communities, the awards also encourage development of the ‘C’ skills or soft skills that employers love to see evidence of.

Vice Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa (right), who spoke at the graduation, praised the students for their resilience and generosity with their time and energy.
“Not only does it make you a better employee, this award makes you a better family member, better friend and better member of society,” he said.

Student Employability Director Anna Williams described the celebration as a highlight of the calendar.
“The students here have gone through a journey of learning, knowledge and reflection. This has built their self confidence and will make them stand out from the crowd when they leave AG飞禽走兽电子.”

The awards are acknowledged formally on the students’ academic transcripts. No other university in New Zealand offers or acknowledges such a comprehensive programme of activities done outside of study. And it is free to join.
"Being enrolled in an amazing free programme like the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award or Beyond AG飞禽走兽电子 Award really complements students’ study - and gives them a competitive advantage when looking for work," says Employability Awards specialist Logan Carr.

Seven years on

The AG飞禽走兽电子 Employability Awards have gone from strength to strength since the inception of the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award in 2016 and Beyond AG飞禽走兽电子 Award (postgraduate) in 2019. Throughout that time students have delivered over 55,000 volunteering hours and 38,000 leadership hours to organisations as diverse as Red Cross, SPCA, Greenpeace, Girl Guiding, Conservation Volunteer NZ, Recreate, City Mission, Sunday Blessing, NZ Olympic Committee, TEDx Auckland.

They’ve also participated in student ambassador and RUOK programmes, AG飞禽走兽电子SA clubs and events and other aspects of AG飞禽走兽电子’s academic and social calendar.

Find out more about the AG飞禽走兽电子 Edge Award and Beyond AG飞禽走兽电子 Award

Group photo caption: Etienne Tapueluelu, Karan Patel, Khooshi Patel, Sheldon Hall