Enterprise Assists Students to Get Employment Whilst Studying

Improving Life is more than just a slogan for us at Enterprise Recruitment. We look to bring those words to life every day at work. We’ve been embracing modern attitudes towards work to create opportunities for students within our company.

Here’s how we have worked around the busy and varying schedules of some talented University students to provide them valuable work experience and an income to support them while studying full time.

Sarah Strange, came to Enterprise looking for temp work for a few days a week over a 3 month period. She had decided to pursue her dream of being a Conservationist by studying Biological and Environmental Science. Despite almost 10 years work experience as an executive assistant in London and Melbourne she was not getting a great response.

Most agencies felt she was not prepared to commit to enough days a week or a long enough period for it to be viable.

“We were implementing an internal technology upgrade that was perfectly suited to the flexible work arrangement that Sarah was looking for”, said Steve Martin, Auckland Branch Manager. Enterprise was moving its payroll system into a cloud based solution. There was a lot to be done but as long as deadlines were met it didn’t matter on what days or at what times the work was done. This meant Sarah could secure a steady part time income while working around her studies. What was a 3 month contract has now been running for 3 ½ half years!

After some time Enterprise needed a second flexible resource for projects. Enter Genevieve (Gen) Saunders a student who was studying Computer and Information Science.

Like Sarah Gen embraced the same flexible options and became another integral team member at Enterprise. “As they have developed an understanding of Enterprise we have been able to really expand their roles to contribute in other areas”, says Steve.

For the students it has been a hugely beneficial opportunity. The ability to work when they wanted to in order to fit around their studies was major plus. Sarah says the job is, “way better than just working part time in a cafe or something. Flexible hours, better pay and gaining useful real world experience”.

Gen especially benefitted from gaining work experience in a corporate environment. "Experience working in a professional environment internally and in client facing situations was a massive benefit for me. It was perfect preparation for entering the workforce”. Gen has recently finished her degree and been hired as a Service Desk Analyst at Deloitte in Auckland.

Embracing a key concept of the ‘Future of Work’ and it’s more flexible nature has proved to be mutually beneficial. For the students the flexible arrangement allowed them to support themselves without affecting their studies and also offered valuable professional experience for their future careers.

Enterprise benefitted greatly from taking a less traditional approach to their operations. This flexible attitude improved efficiency and injected new ideas and energy into the organisation. “Sarah and Gen have really fitted in well to our culture, they’re motivated, keen to learn and really reliable”, said Steve. It represents what Enterprise is all about. Thinking outside the square to deliver mutually beneficial solutions that improve lives.