Information for parents, family and whanau
Different working patterns
The world of work has changed considerably over the past 20 years and will continue to evolve. With more global opportunities and changing technology, people increasingly need to find work patterns that best suit their needs, while also keeping their skills updated.
Have a look at the different working patterns in the stories below. They demonstrate some of the creative ways that people find to work.
Alana - working and studying part time
Alana has been a single parent for 15 years and has three children. Her long-term goal is to be self-employed, working from home. Two years ago she started part-time study and has gained a Certificate in Computing and Business Administration Level 3. Through networking she has got part-time work doing data entry and is able to do this from home, which means she can still be involved in school activities and help the kids with their homework.
Huk - seasonal work opportunities
Huk has a Diploma in Sport and Recreation and loves the outdoors and travel, so he believes he has the ideal lifestyle. He travels to Whistler in Canada each winter and works on the ski slopes, and returns to New Zealand for the summer to work as a tour guide in the Wanaka region.
As a safety net, he also has skills in hospitality, so often picks up work in cafés and bars. He realises that his flexible work pattern may change at any time, but he says that he is always looking for opportunities and makes sure that he thinks laterally when making choices.
Brian - global companies using technology
Brian owns a fashion design company based on the West Coast. He employs three people in New York, two in London and six in Sydney. They have weekly video conference meetings and daily communication by email. Brian runs his business from home, where he believes the views of the bush and ocean give him inspiration.
Chung - paying the bills while also doing something he loves
Chung has a Bachelor of Business Management majoring in accounting and is also a musician. He has recently started with an accounting firm, but also works part time for a radio station, doing the Late, Late Breakfast Show on Sunday mornings. As his passion is his music, he plays keyboard in his band whenever they can get gigs. Chung is busy!
Monique and Tim - job sharing and spending time on a dream project
Monique and her husband Tim are both science teachers. They also have a large avocado orchard, so they find job-sharing ideal for them. They share the same classes and find it works really well as the classes benefit from the different teaching styles, and Monique and Tim benefit from each others’ different perspectives. It’s a win-win situation.
Joni - working towards a career change while continuing in her current role
Joni is a registered nurse. After visiting a career consultant she identified that it was time to follow her passion and reduced her hours so she could put time into her interior design course. When she has completed her study, she intends to do a small business management course, use her networking skills and slowly establish an interior design business.
By still working part time at the hospital, she will ensure that she has a regular income until she is able to move into her business full time.
Ani - carrying on with a career at a distance
Ani is originally from the East Coast. For the past 10 years, she has worked in Auckland as a journalist and until recently, has always loved the city life. But Ani started to feel isolated from her whānau and has made the decision to return home.
She has been able to negotiate with her employer to work from home. She can communicate by email and she flies back to Auckland on a monthly basis for meetings. She believes she is more productive and happier in her work as she is now meeting her need of being close to her family.
