A Love for Gaming to Career as a Junior Technician
For many, landing a dream job seems like a distant goal, but for Kodi, a young man from Hamilton, it became a reality sooner expected. Kodi, a quiet, enthusiastic gamer with a great attitude was struggling to find his way after leaving school with NCEA Level 1 and a few Level 2 credits. At the time, he was spending most of his days gaming at home unsure of what his next steps would be. That’s when he was referred to Smart Waikato’s SPAN – Bridging the Gap programme.
Through SPAN, Kodi started working with Career Practitioners to explore his options, and worked towards his driver’s license with Blue Light. His ultimate goal was to find a hands-on, earn-while-you-learn job.
“I must have applied for 20 or 30 jobs, but it was hard to find anything. Then, I attended a SPAN Job Interview Workshop, where we matched our skills with different job opportunities. That’s when I saw the ad for the arcade job. I applied right then and there, but I didn’t think I’d get it!”
To his surprise, Kodi was shortlisted and invited to a group job interview at the arcade. The SPAN team helped Kodi with preparation, job interview skills and coached him to articulate his abilities. This ability, along with his passion for learning the technical side of the games, set him apart from other candidates.
“I’m really excited about this job because I’m learning so many hands-on skills that will be great for my future.”
The Junior Technician role is a perfect fit for Kodi, allowing him to learn alongside a Senior Technician and get involved in troubleshooting and maintaining machines. The venue itself is a “learning curve” for both of them as they work to understand the new equipment.
One of Kodi’s biggest goals now is to save up for a car. But beyond that, he’s learned valuable lessons about his own skills and potential, something that SPAN helped him uncover.
“This programme showed me that I have good skills that make me employable,” Kodi says. “It was also a huge help to have a professional CV and cover letter. I’m really thankful for all the support I’ve received.”
Thanks to the opportunities and guidance provided by SPAN – Bridging the Gap, Kodi has not only landed his dream job, but he’s also on track to continue growing his career. His story is proof that with determination, support and the right tools, young people can find success on their own terms.
*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect client’s privacy. All other details are their true story.