Six of our Year 13 students got the awesome opportunity to be a part of the AUT Shadow a Leader Programme in Term 2. The students were paired with leadership teams from successful businesses to help bridge their pathway to a future in business! Thank you to the following businesses, who hosted our students, and to AUT for facilitating this awesome experience.
- KPMG – Chika Yokoyama and Tariq Yusuf
- Fisher & Paykel – Kabir Bajaj
- Steel & Tube – Emma-Leigh Morrison
- The Optimisers – Amelia McKenzie
- EY – Laventa To
Students’ Experiences
On 22 June, I had the opportunity to shadow several leaders at one of New Zealand’s largest steel distributors, Steel & Tube. Although I didn’t learn many completely new concepts, it was valuable to see the theories and processes we have studied in class being applied in a real workplace on a much larger scale.
The day began with a general morning meeting, followed by a tour around the factory, where I gained insight into the company’s production processes and operations. We finished the day by sitting in on several more meetings, which gave me a better understanding of the leadership and decision-making required to run a successful business.
Overall, the experience showed me how important efficient production processes are, and highlighted the value of creating a positive, supportive work culture where all staff feel respected and encouraged to do their best.
Emma-Leigh Morrison – Year 13
As part of the AUT Shadow a Leader Programme, I had the opportunity to visit EY, one of the Big Four professional firms globally. The human management team began by teaching us what is essential for building a professional career, including concepts like personal branding. I then met first‑year employees from a range of departments and learned about their passion for their work and the skills they are developing.
During morning tea and lunch, I was able to sit with new graduates and other experienced leaders. Through these conversations, I gained insights into their backgrounds, career journeys, and the wide variety of roles within EY. I also learned how securing client contracts requires strong teamwork and collaboration across different teams.
In the afternoon, we split into small groups to observe individual leaders more closely. I shadowed a senior manager overseeing client projects. Although the work was unfamiliar to me at first, their detailed explanations helped me understand the strategic planning involved and the leadership skills required at that level. Throughout the day, many EY leaders emphasised the importance of supporting colleagues, listening actively, and valuing diverse perspectives, not just expressing one’s own opinions. I felt that this strong culture of collaboration is a defining part of EY and makes the firm truly unique.
Chika Yokoyama – Year 13
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the AUT Shadow A Leader Programme, where I spent the day at the Fisher & Paykel headquarters in East Tamaki. As a Year 13 student planning to pursue a conjoint degree in Engineering and Commerce next year, seeing the direct intersection of technical development and commercial strategy was an invaluable experience.
A massive thank you to the team at Fisher & Paykel for giving up their time to share their knowledge with me. I was fortunate to learn from Anne Chen and Megan Firkin, who provided deep insights into global product management and connected ecosystems, and even allowed me to sit in on some very important meetings. It was also fantastic to share this experience alongside Sabab E Zannat, an AUT Master of Professional Accounting student, whose perspective on university life and professional development was incredibly helpful.
Kabir Bajaj – Year 13
