What was your internship about?
I worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) as an intern. I would often have meetings with my manager to discuss my week and my areas of improvement. This was really beneficial for me as I learned a lot from my lovely manager about how to be a better professional.
I was doing a lot of different pieces of work. I saw how we work with other countries and helped look over a lot of different documents. I also got to work on a project that I got to present to my fellow interns and the rest of the staff. There was never a dull moment!
It was pretty complicated to understand exactly what I was doing at first, but my team were so awesome and helped me through every step of the way.
What's your background?
I was born in Sydney, Australia, but I was raised by my Samoan grandparents in Wellington. I was never the best at school, but I still decided that a move to Dunedin would suit me. This was definitely the right move, as I’ve met some of my best friends here, and learned a lot about myself. Through various people, I’ve been able to see just how far my Pasifika background could take me.
My community down here showed me the path to success. Without them, I would not be in the position that I am in now. I have been blessed to be the president of my Pacific Island Law Students’ Association, which gave me a lot of opportunities to become a better leader and person. Through my experience with my community down here, through Be.Lab, I was able to get an internship at MFAT, and through my internship, I was able to get a graduate role at MFAT starting in 2023.
Could someone with a different background do your internship?
Definitely. MFAT and the whole of the Public Sector are supposed to represent all of Aotearoa, so all backgrounds are welcome. The characteristics of a successful person for the job include a willingness to learn and trusting your team to help you through. A lot of my colleagues, who have years of experience, still say that they are confused with a few things, but they are willing to learn and give it a go, which has given them a lot of success.
What's the coolest thing about your internship?
I loved the people in my internship. We had about 17 other interns, and my team consisted of about 12 people. They were all lovely, and all understood that I was an intern, not a person with years of experience, so the work that they gave me reflected that.
A couple of moments showed that I was doing the right thing. This was when I had finished my summer project, presented it for all of MFAT to see, and got a standing ovation from my team. They knew how much work I had put into it and showed their support for me every step of the way. The second moment was the phone call that I got, informing me that I had been offered a graduate role for 2023. To say it was life-changing was an understatement, it showed me that all that I did not only over the summer but over the last 5 years at University, wasn’t for nothing.
What were the limitations of your internship?
Definitely. I had times where I felt like I was lost and a few meetings where I left it more confused than I came in.
I think that the biggest limitation is how often things can change. Some days you’ll have nothing to do, but then the next you’re working on responding to a natural disaster overseas, or an invasion. I think that the job needs a lot of mental strength, but once you get over that hump, I believe that you’re in for a good time!
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
I would tell myself to have fun and back my abilities. I think that there are too many situations where students are burnt out, and once exams/assignments come up, you’re not in the right place mentally to do a good job on them. Having a fun time is just as important as studying.
I’d also tell myself to develop better relationships with staff. contrary to popular belief, they’re not there to make sure you fail, they want to see you succeed (plus you’re paying thousands of dollars every year for their services – so make the most of it)!
Lastly, don’t forget the big picture. A lot of the time when I was having too much fun, I would neglect my study. I went to University not only for myself but for my family – especially my grandparents. I want to show them that all of their sacrifices were not in vain and that I could support them for the rest of their lives after I graduated and got my own career going.