Personal career advice: Helping you make the best career decisions
We consider your interests, values, aptitudes and personal situation and apply our knowledge and experience of the world of employment to help you explore your own career related issues.
We aim to provide a friendly, supportive environment in which you can make appropriate and useful decisions.
Get started now: Prepare for your career advising session
To make the most of your time with a career adviser, you'll need to do some homework before you come in:
- If you have a query about your course of study
- If you have no idea what career pathway to choose
- If you’re wondering about employment possibilities as a result of your study
- If you’re beginning to put together your CV
- If you have an interview coming up
- If you’re wondering about how to find work once you’ve graduated
Make an appointment to speak with a Career Adviser
If you would like to speak with a Career Adviser, we provide "Quick Query" appointments via OtagoCareerHub, available Monday to Friday. "Quick Query" is a 10-15 minute chat with options for making an extended appointment if needed.
Booking a "Quick Query" appointment
If your query is about your course of study…
Your first port of call should be a course adviser in your academic department. The Career Development Centre can help you here, but it is probably better to check the details with your academic department before you come to see us.
Below are some quick links to help you plan your courses and learn about the course approval process.
- Otago subjects and papers (Otago course requirements and prerequisites for each subject area)
- Course Enrolment Guide
- Degree planning chart
- Course Approval Information
If you are needing further help or support or are planning a double degree contact the divisional advisers listed below.
Humanities
Division of Humanities Office - Arts 1 Building, 5th Floor
- Carol Forbes
Academic Manger (Room 5C9)
Email carol.forbes@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 8792 - Christine Colbert
Course Advisor/Academic (Room 5C9A)
Email christine.colbert@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 9769
Sciences
Division of Sciences Office - Union Court, 85 Union Place West
- Bryan Johnston
Adminstration Manager
Email bryan.johnston@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 7532 - Claire Jordan
Assistant Administrator, Academic Affairs
Email claire.jordon@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 7528
Commerce
School of Business & Division of Commerce - Office of the Dean and Pro-Vice-Chancellor
- Jenni Wright
Operations Co-ordinator
Email: jenni.wright@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 8149 - Mark Wilesmith
Information and Special Projects Officer
Email: mark.wilesmith@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 5635
Health Sciences
Division of Health Sciences Office
Fourth Floor Physiotherapy Building
Email health-sciences@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 7428
Law
Faculty of Law - Richardson Building, 9th Floor
- Marie-Louise Neilsen
Faculty Administrator
Email marie-louise.neilsen@otago.ac.nz Phone: 479 8854
If you have no idea what sort of work you’d like to do…
- Try out the exercises on our self assessment page.
- Try the free online self assessment tools listed under our Links section.
- Make an appointment to take PinPoint, our computerized self-assessment software. PinPoint asks you a series of questions about your interests and skills, and lists possible occupations to think about. The assessment takes about 90 minutes to complete. Our career advisers can help you interpret the results. Contact the Career Development Centre, careers@otago.ac.nz to book an appointment.
If you’re wondering what career pathways are related to your study area…
Check out the resources on our Links pages below.
Research careers, employment trends and salaries
If you’re beginning to put together your CV…
CV information booklet
We have a CV information booklet and books about completing CVs, cover letters and application forms, with lots of examples.
CV information booklet (PDF, 263KB)
CV tutorials
There are also regular tutorials on 'Write a Winning CV & Cover Letter'. We suggest that you use the information in the booklet and our CV Tools section to craft a CV then bring it along to a tutorial. Dates and times for these Events are advertised on OtagoCareerHub.
Our CV Tools will help guide you through this process from start to finish.
If you have an interview coming up…
We have lots of resources to help you excel in interviews.
Interview information booklet (PDF, 253KB)
Interview seminars
We run seminars on interview skills and techniques throughout the year. To find out when the next seminar is running, check OtagoCareerHub. Taking advantage of these facilities to will help you to prepare for your upcoming interviews.
If you’re wondering about how to find work once you’ve graduated…
Make sure you check out our yearly Career Expos and Fairs while you are on campus. This is an opportunity to talk with employers about their company and the type of employees they look for. OtagoCareerHub is a good resource for researching graduate positions and employers.