Alicia Stock

Before starting her Bachelor of Applied Management at Otago Polytechnic, Alicia Stock admits she wasn’t too excited about the prospect of study – she already wanted to be out in the world of work!

However, she was pleasantly surprised by the experience.

“Our lecturers – Phil, Rachel and Michelle – were incredible. They really cared about us as people, and they got to know us all on a personal level. Our papers were engaging and interesting, and we weren’t just sitting and listening every class.” 

She enjoyed the small class sizes, and the way her lecturers were supportive of – and adaptable to – different styles of learning.

“All of my flatmates went to uni and they didn’t really know their classmates or their lecturers personally, so our study experiences were quite different,” she says.

Alicia also appreciated the focus on hands-on, experiential learning at Otago Polytechnic. 

“We helped deliver corporate and charity events such as the iD Dunedin Student Showcase and the Breast Cancer for a Cure event at Emerson’s, for example,” she says. “It was awesome being able to gain real-world industry experience while studying.”

As a new graduate, Alicia started work at Platinum Recruitment as a Resourcer, working under a Recruitment Consultant to find prospective candidates for employers.

“Now, as a Recruitment Consultant myself, my role involves working with both employers and prospective employees to connect the right people with the right positions.”

She says the skills and knowledge she gained throughout her degree have been invaluable in the workplace.

“My degree studies taught me so many transferrable skills across business, communication and even emotional intelligence. I use these skills all the time in my work with CEOs, company directors and other clients.” 

Alicia continues to maintain contact with her lecturers and OP in her role as Recruitment Consultant – and she encourages new graduates who are looking for work to get in touch.

“I understand how challenging and overwhelming the application process can be for graduates since I was there not so long ago myself. I do my best to offer support where I can, and I always recommend being openminded about internships and graduate roles as they can often grow in to more.”

Alicia is happy and thriving in the fast-paced environment of recruitment.  

“I love my role – it’s incredibly rewarding, fulfilling and seratonin-boosting. I get to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them find better positions, and connecting organisations with ideal candidates.”

As her position is commission-based, she sees significant scope for continued development and success.

“For the moment, I’m focused on progressing in my role and navigating the juggle of client and candidate engagement,” she says. “There are plenty of opportunities for me to grow within the business – in time, I’d love to have a Resourcer in the team to share my knowledge with.”