Industry Connect’s programming internship has made it to Stuff.co.nz! The article is about a recent study from Immigration New Zealand that finds overseas-born Aucklanders are better qualified than locals.

Our very own Aditya Ingle was interviewed for the article, talking about how difficult it is to find a job, even with a Masters in Computer Application and a postgraduate diploma in computer information science from Auckland’s AUT.

“There’s a lot of jobs but I don’t know, they’re not selecting my CV or calling me for interviews,” he said.

The 31-year-old’s lack of New Zealand experience is probably a factor, but he is also having to learn how to present himself differently, he said. “Because I think what they’re expecting is not what I’m putting on my CV.”

He is determined to stick with it because he’s always wanted to live in New Zealand, and has been doing our programming internship to get himself Kiwi job-ready.

Andrew was also interviewed for the article; “We’re seeing probably about 80 per cent of people who come through our programme, (who) have come in from overseas and they’re really struggling to get their first job,” he said.

They all have at a minimum an undergraduate degree and many have come in on the skilled migrant programme.

“But employers want someone they can put into a job and be productive in the first week.”

The course deals with potential cultural issues and language difficulties.

For example, with English as a second language new migrants will tend to give plain factual answers in interviews when prospective employers are looking for rapport, McPherson said.

The programme also helps them get a programming internship and volunteer work.

“They just need some support for the first two to three months. From our experience they become very productive quite quickly,” McPherson said.

You can read the original article here.