Franziska migrated from Germany to New Zealand at the end of 2022 with her husband and two daughters. After spending a year at home while the family settled in, she began to intensify her search for a job at an admittedly difficult time in the labour market. An IT professional by training, Franziska was highly skilled but keen to gain some local experience and connect with the community. At Yes for Success she found all of this and more! Here is what she has to say about her journey:
How did you hear about YFS?
I was looking for a volunteering opportunity and found YFS on the Volunteer Wellington website. After reading through the YFS website I applied to become a volunteer as their cause deeply resonates with me. Working in the largely male-dominated field of computer science I have always had an interest in supporting and empowering women in employment.
How did we help you?
At YFS I could bring some of my skills back to life and also improve my conversational English while learning a lot about the work culture in NZ. There are a few differences; for example the communication style in Germany tends to be more straight and to the point, whereas here people and customers often enjoy some casual chit-chat, and in certain situations it can help to phrase things in a less direct way! While job hunting and getting a lot of rejections, volunteering also helped me to see that I was able to contribute to a team and bring something to the table. This helped me realize that the rejections are not because I wasn’t a good fit or not good enough but simply due to the amount of people looking for jobs right now.
How did our volunteers make you feel?
Volunteering at YFS connected me with a lot of interesting and lovely people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Sasmita the hub coordinator created a warm and welcoming environment from the beginning, and I enjoyed exchanging stories with the other volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. The support from the manager was great as she put a lot of trust into me and always had good advice.
Did our programme(s) meet your expectations?
Absolutely! Besides volunteering I also had the chance to attend some of the workshops YFS offers. These workshops are definitely worth going to as they gave me a great opportunity to gain new viewpoints. The session on networking was particularly eye-opening; it is important in a small city like Wellington where connections can grow your familiarity with different sectors and help lead you to potential new roles.
What was the result?
I have now found a job in a sector where the skills I learned and deepened at YFS will be very helpful. I also appreciate coming away with a mix-and-match wardrobe for my first week at work. Volunteering at YFS also helped me to create a daily routine for workdays and gave me the confidence to show my best during the interview.
How would you define success?
Success means for me to live a purposeful life where I am able to connect to my values and give back to others.
What advice would you give others?
Through YFS I found a community, support, and even new friends. Being in a place between jobs or re-entering the workplace after some time of absence can make you feel anxious or unsure of yourself, especially if you have to find your way in a new country and culture. Take the hands offering help as it makes a huge difference to your mental health and wellbeing.
What next – have you set any goals?
I’m determined to have a good start in my new role and find a good balance between work and family life. While for now I have to pause my volunteer work for YFS, I hope that I can still support them in other ways.
Franziska is starting her new job as a Tech Support Manager for a retirement care provider. Through YFS she was able to meet new people and gain some experience while feeling valued for her contribution, all of which helped build her confidence for her job search.
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