On Wednesday 29 April, NZAGE hosted a panel discussion on what is driving impact in student and graduate engagement. The session featured three 2025 NZAGE Award winners and brought together perspectives from both education and employer settings.

The panel included Kate Coley representing the Career Development and Employability Services and the wider careers community at the University of Auckland, Melanie Barr from AUT Business School, and Cam Webster, formerly of KPMG and now at Dentons.

The discussion focused on what has shifted outcomes over the past 12 months and how engagement between employers and tertiary providers is evolving.

A consistent theme was a move away from volume-based engagement towards more intentional and structured approaches. At the University of Auckland, careers support has shifted from a faculty-based model to an age and stage approach. This focuses on where students are in their journey rather than what they study, allowing for more targeted support and earlier engagement with employers.

AUT Business School has taken a similar direction, placing less emphasis on the number of activities and more on the quality of partnerships. Engagement is now centred on organisations that can provide meaningful exposure to industry, capability development and clear pathways into employment. A value exchange model has also been introduced to clarify what students, employers and the institution each gain from every interaction.

From an employer perspective, Cam Webster highlighted the importance of pre-start engagement and grad cohort development. Initiatives such as targeted communications before start dates and structured cohort experiences have improved readiness and connection, particularly for students entering the workforce for the first time.

Across all panellists, there was strong alignment on the importance of closer collaboration between industry and tertiary providers. This includes integrating employers into curriculum delivery through live projects and work-integrated learning. At AUT, applied business projects embedded within postgraduate programmes enable students to work on real industry challenges, building commercial awareness and practical skills while giving employers early access to talent.

The panel also addressed how relationships are built and maintained. Moving beyond transactional engagement requires regular contact, clear alignment of objectives and a focus on long-term connection rather than one-off interactions. Employers were encouraged to work more closely with careers teams to understand the full range of engagement options available, including non-recruitment activities.

Several challenges facing students were highlighted. Time pressure is a key factor, with many balancing study, paid work and extracurricular expectations. There is also increased demand for support around confidence, resilience and navigating a competitive job market. In response, careers teams are placing greater emphasis on mindset alongside technical skills, and are delivering shorter, more practical forms of support.

Event saturation was identified as an issue for both students and employers. The panel noted a shift towards embedding engagement within existing structures, such as classroom activity, rather than adding more standalone events. Purposeful engagement was seen as more effective than high-volume activity.

Early engagement is also increasing. Students are interacting with employers earlier in their degrees, which is changing how talent pipelines are built. Employers who show up consistently across the student journey are more likely to build trust and visibility.

International students were another focus. While many bring strong academic and professional experience, they often face challenges related to local workplace expectations and employment structures. Programmes that build cultural understanding, networks and practical insight into the New Zealand workplace were identified as critical.

The session reinforced that there is no single approach that works across all contexts. Effective engagement requires ongoing adjustment, informed by data, feedback and collaboration across the sector. The role of careers teams as a connector between students and employers remains central, particularly in helping organisations navigate how and where to engage.

Overall there is a shift towards more targeted and connected approaches to student and graduate engagement, with a focus on outcomes over activity.

NZAGE members can watch recording of the full discussion on the NZAGE YouTube channel, with the link shared in the newsletter.

Thanks again to everyone who joined and contributed thoughtful questions for the panel. Congratulations again to our award winners CDES and the careers community at UoA, Melanie Barr and Cam Webster!

Mark your calendars for the next forum event with Fonterra, winner of the NZAGE 2025 Best Graduate Campaign Award, Wednesday May 13^th.